News Rangers Team Notes

[New York Rangers]

New York Yankees’ recent struggles after fast start mirror New York Rangers’ post-November collapse

Ed Mulholland-Imagn ImagesEd Mulholland-Imagn Images

The 2025 New York Yankees were supposed to be different. A deep roster and dominant first half had them looking like the team to beat in the American League. But as the calendar heads toward mid-August, they’ve hit a roadblock; five straight losses have dropped them behind the Boston Red Sox into third place in the American League East, and they’re fighting to hold onto a wild card spot that once seemed like their floor.

This story should sound familiar to New York Rangers fans — a few months ago, they watched their beloved Blueshirts promising season unravel before their eyes.

A skid that feels familiar​

Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The Rangers started the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs on fire, winning each of the first seven games for just the second time in franchise history. Igor Shesterkin was dialed in, anchoring the team with 45 saves in Game 3 of the second round and stopping 99 shots in a two-game span. Chris Krieder’s third-period natural hat trick in Game 6 completed a dramatic comeback win against the Carolina Hurricanes, pushing the Rangers into the Eastern Conference Final.

They grabbed a 2-1 series lead over the Florida Panthers and were on the verge of a commanding 3-1 advantage before dropping Game 4 in overtime. From that point on, the wheels began to fall off. Outside of Shesterkin, Barclay Goodrow, and Alexis Lafreniere, the Rangers went silent. The offense dried up, the defense got sloppy, and what once looked like a Stanley Cup-caliber team fell apart in front of our eyes.

Four months later, the 2024 Yankees completed a 94-win season, then reached their first World Series since 2009 behind the star power of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, they rolled past the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians, winning seven of nine games.

But everything started to slip once they reached the Fall Classic against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Yankees dropped Game 1 on a Freddie Freeman walk-off home run, and the Dodgers won Game 2 in Los Angeles to take a 2-0 series lead back to the Bronx. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Yankees also lost Game 3. They kept the series alive with a dominant 11-4 win in Game 4, then jumped out to a 5-0 lead in Game 5. But a brutal fifth inning flipped the momentum. The game was tied 5-5 before the Yankees knew what hit them. They never recovered, and as the Dodgers hoisted the championship trophy on the Yankee Stadium infield, New Yorkers got another bitter reminder of just how quickly everything can fall apart.

Sky-high expectations not met​

New York Rangers​

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

The Rangers entered 2024-25 with championship aspirations after coming off a Presidents’ Trophy season that included team records for wins (55) and points (114) as well as a trip to the Eastern Conference Final. The roster remained largely intact, Shesterkin and Lafreniere were in contract years, and nearly every major outlet — including Forever Blueshirts — had them pegged as one of the NHL’s elite teams. Some staff writers predicted a Stanley Cup, while others saw another Metro Division title and another deep playoff run.

Forever Blueshirts’ preseason roundtable demonstrated that belief. Of the nine writers, five picked the Rangers to finish first in the Metro. Two predicted they’d win the Stanley Cup, and nearly every writer named Shesterkin as the team MVP. They expected bounce-back or breakout seasons for players like Mika Zibanejad, Filip Chytil, and Lafreniere.

The Rangers got off to a fast start, going 12-4-1 in their first 17 games, before the roof fell in. They went 4-15-0 in the final 19 games of 2024 and never recovered — becoming just the fourth team in NHL history to miss the playoffs one season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. Nearly every player took a step back from the year before, special teams became a liability, and the team’s spark seemed to vanish. Young players like Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil were traded, as was team captain Jacob Trouba.

The Rangers stayed on the periphery of the playoff race into the final weeks of the season before falling off completely. What was viewed as a Cup-contending roster in October had unraveled by April. Coach Peter Laviolette was fired, quickly replaced Mike Sullivan. Chris Drury received a contract extension as general manager, and forward Chris Kreider, the longest-tenured Ranger, was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on June 12.

New York Yankees​

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Yankees entered 2025 with the goal of finishing the job they had failed to complete the previous fall. But they would have to do it without one of their biggest stars. Soto, who helped lead the Yankees’ run to the fall classic, left in free agency to join the crosstown rival New York Mets. The move left a massive hole in the Bronx Bombers’ lineup.

In response, the Yankees signed ace lefty Max Fried to deepen the rotation and brought in veterans Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. to help. Despite some early spring training injuries, the belief in the clubhouse never wavered. “It’s a work in progress,” GM Brian Cashman said, “but we have a good team.” Judge, coming off an MVP 2024 campaign, made it clear the expectations hadn’t changed.

It looked great … until it didn’t​

New York Rangers​

Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

The Rangers got off to the start everyone expected. They opened the season 5-0-1 and had won 12 of their first 17 games after a 4-3 road victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 17. At that point, they looked every bit like the team had that won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24.

But then came the road trip that began to sink them.

In 2023-24, the Rangers swept their October swing through western Canada and Seattle, defeating the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Seattle Kraken, and adding a victory against the Jets in Winnipeg for good measure. One year later, the Rangers followed mid-November wins in Seattle and Vancouver with losses in Calgary and Edmonton — two games in which they were badly outplayed.

They returned home and lost 5-2 to the St. Louis Blues, then hit the road again and lost to the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers, extending their slide to five games. Both special teams struggled, scoring from the top six dried up, and the team that was 12-4-1 in mid-November reached the new year 16-17-1. The Rangers went nearly two months without winning consecutive games (Jan. 9-11) and didn’t win three in a row for the rest of the season.

New York Yankees​

Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The Yankees opened 2025 looking like one of the best teams in baseball, By early July, they were comfortably atop the AL East and playing dominant baseball.

But then came Boston. The (then) under-.500 Red Sox exposed the Yankees’ first real cracks. Red Sox rookie Carlos Narvaez (and former Yankee) lit them up at Fenway Park as Boston took two out of three. The following weekend in the Bronx, the Sox completed a three-game sweep. What had been a promising stretch quickly spiraled. New York dropped six straight, including three straight losses to the Los Angeles Angels, before narrowly avoiding a sweep with a win in the fourth game.

A brutal road trip followed; the Yankees lost six in a row to the Toronto Blue Jays and Mets, turning a 48-35 record into 48-41 in the span of a week. Although they bounced back with a five-game winning streak, their momentum vanished again after the All-Star break.

The Yankees were aggressive at the trade deadline. They acquired a trio of established pitchers — David Bender from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Camilo Doval from the San Francisco Giants, and Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies. They also added third baseman Ryan McMahon, infielder Amed Rosario, outfielder Austin Slater, and the speedy Jose Caballero. GM Brain Cashman said, “I know we’re better today than we were yesterday,” but the results have shown all but that.

But the reinforcements have yet to produce. Bird surrendered a grand slam in his Yankees debut, gave up a walk-off home run days later and was subsequently demoted to the minor leagues. Doval and Bednar haven’t found their rhythm, and Devin Williams has blown back-to-back games — allowing a game-tying homer to the Texas Rangers in the ninth inning on Monday, then giving up the only runs in a 2-0 loss in Texas the next night.

The writing is on the wall​

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers’ season didn’t fall apart overnight. A cold stretch turned into a slump, a slump turned into a collapse, and by the time the front office was playing damage control it was already too late. If the Yankees aren’t careful, they could be heading down the same path.

The Yankees entered Wednesday a half-game in front of Texas for the final wild card spot, but all the momentum they built in the first half has disappeared. The bullpen has been shaky, the offense inconstant and the new acquisitions have failed to deliver. The five-game losing streak they’re on looks eerily similar to the slide the Blueshirts found themselves in last season. If things don’t turn around soon, Aaron Boone might find himself in the same position Laviolette did … out of a job.

The financial picture should also raise alarms. Just like the Rangers, the Yankees are starting to lock themselves into expensive, long-term commitments, Judge, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Fried, and Cody Bellinger are all on big-ticket contracts. Not even one full season removed from a World Series appearance, and the team is scrambling for answers.

The Rangers’ 2024-25 season was a cautionary tale of high expectations, a hot start … and then a total collapse. The Yankees still have time to avoid the same fate, but only if they can turn things around before it’s too late.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...rror-new-york-rangers-post-november-collapse/

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers draft pick signs with archrival’s AHL affiliate

Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn ImagesChristopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers had high hopes for defenseman Sean Day when they selected him in the third round (No. 81 overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft. While those hopes never materialized, Day continues to chase his NHL dream. The 27-year-old’s latest move came Wednesday when he signed an AHL contract with the Bridgeport Islanders, the top minor-league affiliate of the Blueshirts’ biggest rival.

Day’s NHL career consists of the two games he played with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021-22; he had no points or shots on goal, was minus-2 and took one minor penalty. The Lightning had signed him as a free agent in July 2020, but except for the cup of coffee in ’21-22, his time in the Bolts’ organization consisted of four mostly nondescript seasons with Syracuse, their AHL affiliate.

He played the 2024-25 season with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League, finishing with 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 45 games, before returning to North America.

Transaction: The Bridgeport Islanders have signed defenseman Sean Day to an AHL contract.

https://t.co/3oxaxxp6Go pic.twitter.com/Q1VidAzV7e

— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) August 6, 2025

Day may have had an “in” with the Isles; their recently hired general manager, Mathieu Darche, was Tampa Bay’s director of hockey operations and assistant general manager before coming to Long Island, so he obviously had some idea of Day’s ability. It’s likely that the Islanders signed Day to provide some experience on the blue line for a team that crashed and burned in the AHL standings last season but has talented defense prospects such as Isaiah George and Jesse Pulkkinen.

No one could have had an inkling 12 years ago that Day’s career would see him scrambling for a job in his late 20s.

Day was born in Belgium but lived in Singapore, Canada and the United States as a child and played minor hockey in suburban Detroit. He was good enough that on March 21, 2013, he became the fourth player granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada – the first three others were John Tavares (2005), Aaron Ekblad (2011) and Connor McDavid (2012); five more players have since been given this status.

2016 Rangers draft pick signs with Islanders’ AHL affiliate​

That made him eligible to be drafted a year early in the 2013 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection and to play major junior hockey as a 15-year-old. He was taken by Mississauga with the fourth pick. The Rangers selected him in the 2016 draft, and he signed with them in March 2017 after being traded to Windsor in October 2016. He helped the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup not long after signing with New York; his coach then was Rocky Thompson, who will be his coach at Bridgeport.

Day began his pro career in the fall of 2018 with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. But after a slow start, he was demoted to the Maine Mariners of the ECHL. He played well enough in his 19 games with the Mariners to be selected to play in the ECHL All-Star Game, but he was promoted back to Hartford before it took place.

The 2019-20 season again saw Day begin with Hartford. But after putting up just four points in 16 games, he was demoted to Maine, where he remained until the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

New York #Rangers have placed defenseman Sean Day on 'Unconditional Waivers' for the purpose of contract termination.

Day had 1 year remaining on his Entry Level contract with NY.https://t.co/uDvNTP3Woz https://t.co/TYXOuTjD2Y

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) May 30, 2020

The Rangers decided they had seen enough and on May 30, they placed him on unconditional waivers for the purposes of contract termination. He cleared waivers the following day and the remaining year of his contract was terminated.

The Lightning signed him to a one-year, two-way contract on July 17, 2020, but he played all of the Covid-shortened 2020-21 season with Syracuse. The Lightning re-signed him, and he had his best offensive season in 2021-22, finishing with 40 points (eight goals, 32 assists) in 69 games.

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

He also got his first taste of the NHL, making his debut against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 28, 2021, and dressing for the Bolts’ game against the Florida Panthers two nights later before being returned to Syracuse.

Day stayed with the Lightning organization through the 2023-24 season before signing a two-year contract with HV71 last summer. But did little offensively, though he did help the team avoid relegation to Sweden’s second division.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...sean-day-signs-with-archrivals-ahl-affiliate/

 

[New York Rangers]

How Matt Rempe, Sam Carrick, Adam Edstrom could give Rangers modern-day ‘Crash Line’

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn ImagesDennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

When the New York Rangers hired Mike Sullivan this offseason, they didn’t just bring in a great tactical mind and two-time Stanley Cup winner. They hired a coach known for building team identity.

Of course, that may seem an easy thing to do when Sidney Crosby is at the heart of your team, as the superstar center was during Sullivan’s 10-year run as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. But during their best years, Sullivan built a team identity outside of Crosby and his star teammates Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang that made the Penguins an all-around force for several seasons.

With the Rangers, Sullivan will rely on star power, too, with the likes of Igor Shesterkin, Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox. But he has the option to create a different identity with the Rangers by building from the bottom up.

That starts with, what should be, the fourth line of Matt Rempe, Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom.

That threesome isn’t just another checking line. They’re a potential throwback to hockey’s most punishing trios. Could they become the Rangers answer to the legendary “Crash Line,” a group that helped bulldoze the New Jersey Devils to their first Stanley Cup championship in 1995?

Now, the NHL game has changed quite a bit in the 30 years since Randy McKay, Bobby Holik and Mike Peluso were difference makers in New Jersey’s bottom-six forward group. There’s not nearly the same amount of fighting and this is more of a skating league now.

But the “Crash Line” didn’t just fight, check and kill time — they imposed their will, setting the tone physically while still contributing offensively.

Look no further than the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers to see how important it is still to have big, tough, punishing forwards that also contribute at both ends of the rink.

An argument can be made that Rempe, Carrick and Edstrom could have the same positive effect on the Rangers next season and beyond.

Related: Matt Rempe ‘still learning’ as he prepares for training camp, Rangers reporter says

Rangers 4th Line: Size, snarl, skill​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Matt Rempe​

Age: 23

Height/Weight: 6-foot-9, 255 pounds

2024–25 Stats: 42 games played, 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points, plus-7 rating, 67 penalty minutes

Contract: First of two-years worth $1.95 million ($975,000 AAV)

Rempe brings something the Rangers haven’t had since the days of Colton Orr — a true enforcer who’s a good skater and can contribute offensively. Leading the team in hits per 60 minutes (19.64) last season, Rempe sets a punishing tone every time he steps on the ice, and is simply an imposing towering presence. It appears he’s finally figured out how to keep his body and emotions in check after a pair of lengthy suspensions for reckless hits. If he earns a regular spot in the bottom six next season, Rempe can be a game-changer and focal point of a new Rangers identity.

Related: Weighing pros, cons of Rangers signing Conor Sheary to PTO

Adam Edström​

Age: 25 (in October)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-7, 241 pounds

2024–25 Stats: 51 games played, 5 goals (2 game-winners), 4 assists, 9 points, minus-5 rating, 27 penalty minutes

Contract: First of two-years worth $1.95 million ($975,000 AAV)

The other half of the Twin Towers on this line, Edstrom played the first 51 games last season before a lower-body injury sidelined him the rest of the way. Edström is still developing, but has already proven to be a useful two-way player, who’s a solid penalty killer, as well. He skates really well, his size makes him difficult to handle along the boards, and his scoring touch suggests a ceiling of 10–15 goals per season. Edstrom’s not as tough as Rempe, but as he showed against Jack McBain of Utah last season, he can hold his own when the gloves are dropped.

Sam Carrick​

Age: 33

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 202 pounds

2024–25 Stats: 80 games played, 6 goals, 14 assists, 20 points, plus-5 rating, 112 hits, 58 penalty minutes

Contract: Second of 3-years for $3 million ($1 million AAV)

Carrick is the veteran glue in the middle. The center is reliable on draws, leads by example, and doesn’t shy away from the physical game. His leadership and defensive awareness give this line its structure.

Together, Rempe, Edström, and Carrick form a group that could change the complexion of the Rangers’ bottom six. In a League dominated by speed and finesse, they represent a hard-nosed, grind-it-out style that can wear down the opposition.

‘Crash Line’ blueprint Rangers can follow​

The “Crash Line” took shape in the 1993-94 season when Peluso arrived in New Jersey after playing for the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators. You may remember that he, Holik and McKay were a pain in the ass for the Rangers in the epic Eastern Conference Final in 1994.

They were even more effective the lockout-shortened 1995 season and during the Devils’ championship run that spring. Not only were Holik and his linemates physically wearing down opponents, that line combined for 13 goals and 23 points in the 1995 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Simply, they were a massive reason the Devils were so dominant in the postseason and swept the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Final.

McKay was the smallest player on the “Crash Line,” standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 210 pounds. Peluso was 6-foot-4, 225 pounds; Holik was 6-foot-4, 230. Each recorded over 1,400 penalty minutes in his career, with Peluso topping out at 1,951.

Holik, who later played for the Rangers, scored 326 goals in 1,314 NHL games and is a two-time Stanley Cup champion. No one on the Rangers current fourth line matches his pedigree since Holik was more of a middle-six center than true fourth-liner.

But when it comes to toughness, size, skill, and ability alter momentum in games, this Rangers line of Rempe, Edstrom and Carrick has the potential to be a modern-day “Crash Line,” though no one here is predicting Stanley Cup titles for the Rangers just yet. Rempe, Edstrom and Carrick all have much to prove, individually and collectively.

But one can dream, and certainly the building blocks are in place should Sullivan choose to use this trio and let them grow together.

The Rangers might not just have a gritty checking line on their hands, they could have the League’s next great identity line. In a city that values work ethic and toughness, this trio could become a fan favorite—and a nightmare for opponents.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...m-carrick-adam-edstrom-modern-day-crash-line/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers prospect Carey Terrance can be ‘200-foot borderline star’: World Juniors coach

Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesPeter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Carey Terrance has already built an impressive hockey resume at age 20. But the New York Rangers’ prospect should just be scratching the surface for what he’ll be one day in the NHL, his Team USA coach believes.

Terrance was the primary asset acquired by the Rangers in the June 12 trade that sent veteran forward Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks.

A second-round pick (No. 59 overall) by the Ducks in 2023, Terrance has already captained the Erie Otters in the OHL, scored 79 goals in three seasons playing major junior — and helped the United States win gold at the 2025 World Junior Championship.

But what most impresses David Carle, who has coached Team USA to back-to-back WJC titles, is that Terrance is also a complete player on both sides of the puck. Carle recently compared him to longtime NHL center Nate Thompson, though believes the youngster has plenty of upside as well.

“I think that’s the lowest floor and his highest ceiling is a 200-foot borderline star,” Carle told NHL.com. “He’s what everyone is searching for right now. I think Carey is going to be that coveted guy.”

Related: How Rangers top pick stood out at World Junior Summer Showcase: ‘assign him a job and he’ll get it done’

Versatility pays off for Rangers prospect Carey Terrance​

GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK

Carle saw firsthand how Terrance thrives in different situations. At the 2025 World Juniors, he was a bottom-six forward, penalty killer and face-off specialist despite being a top-six center with Erie.

“He’s very competitive, team-first oriented,” Carle said. “It goes to him communicating to coaches and accepting roles and doing it to the best of his ability. He’s got a 200-foot element, and I think he thrives in playoff hockey.”

Terrance scored two goals in seven games at the ’25 WJC. In 2023, he had six points (two goals, six assists) in seven games to help the United States take home the gold at the Men’s U-18 World Championship.

Whether he’s producing offense, shutting down an opponent’s top line or taking important face-offs, Terrance has convinced Carle that he’ll do whatever it takes to be part of a winner.

Related: NHL Network analyst likes Rangers future, unsure of present: ‘don’t know that it happens overnight’

Carey Terrance focused on immediate future with Rangers organization​

Terrance signed his entry-level contract on April 9, per PuckPedia.com, making him eligible to turn pro in 2025-26. The expectation is he’ll start in Hartford of the American Hockey League, where he can fine-tune his game before pushing for an NHL role. At 20, he has plenty of time to develop.

“I can skate up and down the ice very well,” he explained in July at Rangers prospects development camp. “I can play in all situations, whatever the coach needs me to play that game or that shift. If he needs me to play on the penalty kill or on the power play. I think I’m a versatile player and I can play up and down the lineup.

“Defense wins championships. That’s the thing the past two years playing at the World Juniors and the U18s, playing on the PK, win face-offs and be reliable. That’s something I’ve taken pride in my four years of junior and tournaments like that.”

Terrance will likely join fellow center prospects Noah Laba, Dylan Roobroeck, and Brendan Brisson in Hartford this season. They’ll be teammates — and also compete with one another for positioning on the Rangers’ organizational depth chart.

But if Carle is right about Terrance’s upside, the upstate New York native might soon move past his more experienced competition in the organization.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...rey-terrance-borderline-nhl-star-david-carle/

 

[New York Rangers]

What makes Rangers prospect Drew Fortescue ‘tremendous shutdown defenseman’

Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesPeter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

For the past two seasons, Drew Fortescue played in the shadow of top New York Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault.

That doesn’t mean the 20-year-old defenseman failed to impress. On the contrary. Fortescue was a solid regular in the Boston College lineup and helped the United States win consecutive gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships.

It just so happened that Perreault, a flashy star forward selected in the first round (No. 23 overall) by the Rangers in the 2023 NHL Draft, was Fortescue’s teammate both at BC and Team USA. So, Perreault received much more attention than Fortescue, who was chosen in the third round of the same draft by the Rangers.

However, Fortescue will no longer be the “other” Rangers prospects at Boston College this fall, since Perreault turned pro last spring and is vying for a spot on New York’s opening-night roster. And considering his junior season could be his last in college before signing an entry-level contract in the spring of 2026, you better believe Fortescue will be under some heavy scrutiny this coming season.

But it’s not like Fortescue hasn’t already excelled under the spotlight. Mike Morreale, NHL.com’s draft and prospects expert, points out that one need not look any further than Fortescue’s outstanding play in the past two World Junior tournaments to see what kind of future professional the Rangers have on their hands.

“Some players just have that ability about them to be able to play well on an international stage. Fortescue is right in that mold,” Morreale told Forever Blueshirts on the RINK RAP podcast. “He’s a tremendous shutdown defenseman on the left side, and that was an area that the U.S. needed. And not only is he a shutdown guy, but he’s strong, he’s abrasive in the corners.”

Though high-scoring teammates like Perreault, Ryan Leonard, Cole Hutson and James Hagens received most of the press and adulation for Team USA’s success at the World Juniors, Fortescue was the glue. He played a quiet, steady game for the U.S. throughout each tournament, a fixture in their top-four on defense.

Though he scored a goal and had three assists in seven WJC games in 2024, Fortescue didn’t record a single point in 2025. That didn’t matter at all. He was terrific in his role as shutdown defenseman.

“He was just phenomenal,” Morreale stated. “I remember (assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey and former Rangers goalie) John Vanbiesbrouck saying Drew was a major, major piece on that team and winning that second gold medal.”

Related: Rangers prospects E.J. Emery, Drew Fortescue focused on development not NHL future: ‘it’s a man’s game’

Drew Fortescue not focused on his future with Rangers​

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Fortescue said at Rangers development camp in July that “it was always the plan” for him to return to BC for his junior year. He and the Rangers organization both see the advantage for him to continue to grow his game, gain high-level NCAA experience, and fill out physically.

The Pearl River, New York, native is listed at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. Though his game is not predicated solely on physical play, it’d behoove him to continue to get bigger and stronger before making a run at an NHL job in the not-so-distant future.

“Fortescue is one of those guys who knows how to play it physically,” Morreale explained. “It doesn’t always have to be body contact. It can also be how he uses his stick, the gapping, the positioning, and Fortescue has really mastered that at the college level and how how he was able to produce at the World Juniors.”

That’s music to the ears of Chris Drury and Co. because the Rangers could really use someone with Fortescue’s skill set to be a viable and affordable option on the blue line, perhaps as soon as the 2026-27 season.

Assuming newcomer Scott Morrow locks down a third-pair spot on the right side next season, Fortescue could be in play to be his left-side partner in two years.

That left side could feature Vladislav Gavrikov, Braden Schneider (on his off side), Urho Vaakanainen and/or Fortescue in 2026-27. The right side could be Adam Fox, Will Borgen and either Schneider or Morrow.

No doubt, there’s an opportunity waiting for Fortescue. And even further down the road that could be a top-four shutdown pairing with EJ Emery, New York’s first-round pick in 2024, who fits that shutdown right-shot slot on defense.

Fortescue, though, is not thinking that far down the line.

“I think just kind of right now, I’m focused on getting bigger and stronger,” he said. “That’s kind of been my biggest focus going into next year.

“Just continuing to do that, trying to focus on it the best I can and see what happens.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...rew-fortescue-tremendous-shutdown-defenseman/

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers goalie hopes success in 3-on-3 tournament will help get him back to NHL

Dec 15, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Keith Kinkaid (71) makes a save against Arizona Coyotes forward Barrett Hayton (29) during the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Keith Kinkaid, who spent parts of two seasons as a backup goaltender with the New York Rangers, isn’t giving up on a return to the NHL at age 36.

The Long Island native is spending the summer playing for Buffalo in 3ICE, an eight-team, 3-on-3 professional tournament being held at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Panthers’ training facility.

“I just want to keep playing. We’ll see what happens,” Kinkaid told NHL.com.

Ken Daneyko, who won the Stanley Cup as a defenseman with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, 2000 and 2003, is coaching 3ICE New York/New Jersey and got a close-up look at Kinkaid on Wednesday when his team lost 4-1 to Buffalo. The Devils longtime TV analyst, was impressed with the play of Kinkaid, who helped New Jersey reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2017-18 when he was 26-10-3 with a 2.77 goals-against average and .913 save percentage.

“I saw how incredible he was with us in New Jersey over the years, especially in 2018 when he got us into the playoffs,” Daneyko said. “He looks like he still has it. He showed that against us.”

Kinkaid played nine games (seven starts) with the Rangers in 2020-21, finishing with a 3-2-1 record, 2.59 GAA, one shutout and a save percentage of .898. He became the ninth U.S.-born goalie to play for the Rangers, joining Jack McCartan (the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold-medal winner), Joe Schaefer, John Vanbiesbrouck, Mike Richter, Mike Dunham, Steve Baker, Guy Hebert and Brandon Halverson.

Jonathan Quick, a Connecticut native and current backup to Igor Shesterkin, became the 10th in 2023-24.

Kinkaid won his only appearance with the Blueshirts in 2021-22, making 29 saves in a 3-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Dec. 15, 2021. He spent the rest of that season with Hartford, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, where he was 20-14-3 with a 2.94 GAA, .904 save percentage and three shutouts that season.

Related: How Matt Rempe, Sam Carrick, Adam Edstrom could give Rangers modern-day ‘Crash Line’

Ex-Rangers goalie Keith Kinkaid hopes 3-on-3 success leads to NHL return​

POOL PHOTOS-Imagn Images

Kinkaid’s last NHL appearance was March 4, 2023, when he allowed one goal on nine shots in a relief role for the Colorado Avalanche against the Dallas Stars. His last start and win came on Nov. 12, 2022, when he made 30 saves in a 3-1 win for the Boston Bruins against the Buffalo Sabres.

He split the rest of 2022-23 between the AHL affiliates of the Bruins and Avalanche and played for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL in 2023-24. Kinkaid got a PTO from the Islanders last year but failed to make the team at training camp. So, he spent the season with the Savannah Ghost Pirates, the Florida Panthers’ ECHL affiliate.

Kinkaid had 30 saves in two wins for Buffalo on Wednesday, leading his team into the championship round on Aug. 14. Buffalo was on the outside of the championship round entering Wednesday, but by beating Chicago 4-2 before topping Daneyko’s NY/NJ team, Kinkaid helped his club not only get into the final day, but grab the top seed in the tournament.

“I knew we needed to win, and I knew I needed to be dialed in early,” Kinkaid said.

The stage is set! Four 3ICE teams led by Hockey Hall of Famers @KenDaneykoMSG, John LeClair, Larry Murphy, and Pierre Turgeon will battle for the coveted Patrick Cup at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale this Thursday, Aug. 14th pic.twitter.com/r6EUGm87AF

— 3ICE (@3IceHockey) August 8, 2025

Buffalo will face No. 4 Minnesota in the first semifinal; No. 2 NY/NJ will play No. 3 Tennessee in the other semifinal. The winners will meet for the league title.

Of all the players in the 3ICE tournament, Kinkaid has the most NHL experience — 10 seasons, six of them with New Jersey, where he was 64-55-17 with a 2.90 GAA, .906 save percentage and seven shutouts in 151 games (132 starts). He is 0-2 with a 5.88 GAA and .804 save percentage in two Stanley Cup Playoff games, both for New Jersey in 2018.

Kinkaid is 70-58-21 in the NHL with a 2.91 GAA, .905 save percentage and eight shutouts in 169 games (146 starts) with the Devils, Montreal Canadiens, Rangers, Bruins and Avalanche from 2012-23. He doesn’t have a contract for 2025-26 after posting a 10-18-3 record with a 3.17 GAA, .893 save percentage and one shutout in 32 games for Savannah.

But his strong play with 3ICE Buffalo might help him change that, and Kinkaid said he’s ready to go.

“This is a great opportunity to show I still have it,” Kinkaid explained. “My body is holding up very well. I am 36, but I am just trying to prolong my career because once it’s done, it’s done. [3ICE] has given me the chance to keep playing, to showcase that I still have gas left in the tank. It has been a tough couple of years just bouncing around, but hopefully someone calls and I get the chance to play again this season.

“Any opportunity is fine with me.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/keith-kinkaid-hopes-3ice-nhl-return/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Rangers defenseman prospect reminds NHL reporter of Brandon Carlo

USA Hockey

Everyone loves a good comparison in hockey. Which NHL player is a good comp for a specific prospect? Who does this prospect remind you of?

But what’s really intriguing is when a comparison is made without prompting.

Such was the case when NHL.com draft and prospects expert Mike Morreale delivered this comp for the New York Rangers top pick in 2024, defenseman EJ Emery.

“He kind of reminds me of Brandon Carlo,” Morreale told Forever Blueshirts on the RINK RAP podcast, when discussing Emery. “He’s got a high pace to his game and he likes to get physical. Big, long defenseman, skates really well. He likes to defend and close his time and space really, really quickly, covers a lot of area with his length, with his speed. He can get that good first pass out and get the puck quickly up ice. He’s a real athletic kid.”

#NYR adding some strength to the blue line by picking EJ Emery pic.twitter.com/Te3UCvuL1s

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) June 29, 2024

Emery is 19 and entering his sophomore season at North Dakota, so he has plenty of time to grow and develop his game. But you’d have to think that the Rangers would be quite pleased if he becomes a top-four staple on a perennial contender like Carlo’s been with the Boston Bruins, and now Toronto Maple Leafs, since the 2016-17 season.

Each is a tall, athletic right-shot, known more for his shutdown capability as a defensive defenseman than for offensive prowess. Carlo is 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds; Emery is 6-foot-4, 189 pounds, though still filling out. Emery was the No. 30 overall pick (first round) in the 2024 NHL Draft; Carlo was chosen No. 37 overall (second round) by the Bruins in 2015.

Brandon Carlo saves a goal pic.twitter.com/uuBJmPSRSj

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 19, 2025

While Emery came up through the United States National Team Development Program and now is playing in the NCAA, Carlo honed his game in major junior, where he played four seasons in the Western Hockey League.

Carlo also might have a bit more to his game offensively than Emery, who hasn’t scored a goal in a competitive contest since 2023. Carlo twice scored six goals in a season with the Bruins (2016-17; 2021-22), though he only has 29 goals and 83 assists in 637 NHL games.

“Emery’s never going to be known for his goal scoring, but he’s just that physical, shutdown-type player,” Morreale explained. “He absorbs and erases opposing rushes with a real smooth-skating style … the Rangers got a good one in Emery when they selected him.”

And that’s at the heart of the Carlo-Emery comparison. Each is a steady, smart, reliable, physical right-shot defenseman, more concerned with blocking shots and passing lanes than leading the rush the other way.

Related: What makes Rangers prospect Drew Fortescue ‘tremendous shutdown defenseman’

Rangers prospect EJ Emery has ‘real good shot’ to play in 2026 World Juniors​

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Following Carlo’s path as an NHL defenseman is far from the worst plan for Emery. Perhaps that next step is if Emery lands a spot on Team USA’s roster for the 2026 World Junior Championship.

Emery was among the final cuts last December before the United States won its second straight gold medal at the WJC. He’s got a good chance to make the final roster this time when the U.S. seeks a threepeat on home turf in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

“I think EJ has a real good shot,” Morreale stated. “One of the things (United States coach) Bob Motzko said that struck me about the returning players — and obviously EJ is not a returning player, but the fact he’s going into his sophomore year — those kids seem to have an edge on those players coming in maybe for the first time.

“And it’s also his second (World Junior Summer) Showcase, too, so he’s accustomed to what the coaching staff wants to see, how they want you to defend, how they may put you in different roles you’re not accustomed to with your major junior or college team. And EJ was put into some of those roles, and I thought he did really well. I think now it’s up to him showing that he deserves a spot with a good start to the season at North Dakota.”

Carlo helped the United States win a bronze medal at the 2016 World Juniors, when he had four points (two goals, two assists) and was plus-9 in seven games. Nine months later, Carlo made his NHL debut at the age of 19 and turned 20 shortly thereafter.

The Rangers are taking it slowly with Emery. There’s no rushing him to the NHL. When he’s mentally and physically ready, he’ll take the next step.

But make no mistake, this is an extremely important year in his development.

“It’s going to be interesting to see. No. 1: how he starts the year with the Sioux. And No. 2: and if he’s able to earn a spot on the back end with the United States National Junior Team.”

You can listen to the entire interview with Mike Morreale about Rangers prospects or watch it on YouTube

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/ej-emery-nhl-comparison-brandon-carlo/

 

[New York Rangers]

Alex Ovechkin 6-year-old son scores 2 goals against Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin in fun viral moment

Jasen Vinlove-Imagn ImagesJasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

With Igor Shesterkin’s $92 million deal set to kick in this coming season, the New York Rangers star goalie is fine-tuning his game back home this summer. Well … except for the other day during the annual “Ovi Cup” game in Moscow, Russia, when he was beaten by a six-year-old — twice.

Of course, that wasn’t just any six-year-old.

That sniper in front of Shesterkin’s net just happened to be Sergei Ovechkin, son of the all-time leading NHL goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin.

And just like his dad, Sergei wasted no time reminding Shesterkin what the name “Ovechkin” means for Rangers goalies.

Sergei Ovechkin scores twice on Igor Shesterkin in a celebrity all-star game as dad watches on from the bench.

(via @Uggg_uggg)pic.twitter.com/ewLdM76tWr

— BarDown (@BarDown) August 9, 2025

We already know what a good goalie Shesterkin is. Now, we’ve got an idea what a good sport he is, allowing the youngster to light him up on the ice, in what turned into a fun viral moment.

Related: Igor Shesterkin enters 2025-26 season with $92 million worth of expectations from Rangers

Alex Ovechkin’s success against Rangers, Igor Shesterkin​

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Sergei’s father has been a nightmare for the Rangers since he entered the NHL 20 years ago. In 76 regular-season games against the Rangers, he’s piled up 46 goals, with more than half of them coming against Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist (24). The rest were dispersed across Alexander Georgiev (8), Cam Talbot (3), Steve Valiquette (2), Keith Kinkaid (1) and a few others.

And then there’s Shesterkin. The two-time All-Star has faced Ovechkin enough to know the dangers, yet the Great 8 has only found a way to slip five pucks past him since their first meeting in 2021. Of course, that’s just three more than Sergei — and Alex had a four-year head start!

Related: How many of Alex Ovechkin’s 897 goals were scored against the New York Rangers?

Let’s take a look at the five regular-season goals Ovechkin’s scored against Shesterkin.

Goal #1 — February 4, 2021​

Ovechkin’s first goal against Shesterkin came in his first game against the Rangers goalie on February 4, 2021, at Madison Square Garden. Just seconds after a face-off win — with the Rangers up 3-1 in the third period — he ripped a shot from the left circle past Shesterkin for his 709th career goal, moving him into seventh place on the all-time list at that time.

Goal #2 — February 24, 2022​

Ovechkin struck again a year later on February 24, 2022. After being denied by Shesterkin on a breakaway earlier in the third period, Ovechkin broke through with 1:02 remaining. The tip-in from right in front spoiled Shesterkin’s shutout bid, but the Rangers still closed out the game.

Goals #3 & 4 — October 29, 2024​

On October 29, 2024, Ovechkin opened the scoring in what turned out to be a wild game that also featured a heavyweight fight between Matt Rempe and Dylan McIlrath, and a barrage of first-period goals. Less than five minutes in, Ovechkin moved the puck down low, cut to the net for the return feed, and buried a shot past Shesterkin for a 1-0 Capitals lead.

Kaapo Kakko tied it for the Rangers a few moments later, but Ovechkin — just 1:47 after that goal — ripped home his second of the period to put Washington back up. Those were career goals No. 856 & 857.

Goal #5 — March 5, 2025​

His most recent goal against Shesterkin came on March 5, 2025. With the Rangers leading 2-1 in the third period, Ovechkin pounced on a loose puck right in front of the net and buried it with 9:32 remaining. The Capitals went on to win in overtime. The goal came just a little over a month before Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record, which was scored, ironically, against Shesterkin’s buddy, Ilya Sorokin of the Islanders. But this one was career goal No. 885, and his fifth against Shesterkin.

Related: Why Rangers defenseman prospect reminds NHL reporter of Brandon Carlo

Rangers, Igor Shesterkin shut down Alex Ovechkin in 2024 playoffs​

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

When it mattered most, though, Shesterkin helped the Rangers completely shut down Ovechkin in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ovechkin was held scoreless in the first-round matchup between the Rangers and Capitals that spring, a best-of-7 series the Rangers swept in four games. Ovechkin managed a measly five shots on goal the entire series, with Shesterkin receiving quite a bit of help from his friends. The greatest goal scorer in NHL history was a complete non-factor, and the Rangers moved on with ease.

But Ovechkin owns bragging rights once again. He and the Capitals finished first in the Metropolitan Division last season, and the Rangers didn’t even reach the playoffs. Then Ovi Jr. scored two of his four goals against Shesterkin in the Ovi Cup.

Let’s see how New York’s $92 million man responds next season.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...chkin-son-sergei-score-twice-igor-shesterkin/

 

[New York Rangers]

Chad Ruhwedel retires from NHL; ended career with Rangers, helped Penguins win Stanley Cup

Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesSteve Roberts-Imagn Images

There won’t be a reunion between Clad Ruhwedel and Mike Sullivan with the New York Rangers this coming season. Ruhwedel announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday, more than three months after Sullivan was hired as Rangers coach.

Ruhwedel finished his career in the Rangers organization, spending most of 2024-25 playing for Hartford of the American Hockey League. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins ahead of the 2024 NHL trade deadline, Ruhwedel played 10 regular-season games with the Rangers, including five last season.

The 35-year-old had 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 50 games with Hartford last season. He recorded one assist in five games with the Rangers, that point coming in what turned out to be his final NHL game on Dec. 22 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

“Playing in the NHL has been a dream come true. I’m incredibly grateful to the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers organizations for giving me the opportunity to live that dream,” Ruhwedel said.

Chad Ruhwedel is officially calling it a career after going from undrafted to 369 NHL career games

Wishing nothing but the best to Chad in his next chapter! pic.twitter.com/xkF9kqtZdw

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) August 12, 2025

Ruhwedel played eight seasons with the Penguins, each with Sullivan as coach. He helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2017, his first season in Pittsburgh after opening his NHL career by playing parts of three seasons with the Sabres.

Related: Igor Shesterkin has Rangers in top level of TSN team goalie tiers; defense core mired in middle

Chad Ruhwedel finished career with Rangers, won Stanley Cup with Penguins​

Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

A college star at UMass-Lowell, Ruhwedel was signed as undrafted free agent by the Sabres in April 2013. He played seven games with the Sabres to close out the 2012-13 regular season. The San Diego native had his breakthrough after he signed with the Penguins ahead of the 2016-17 season. He played 34 games that season, averaged better than 17 minutes TOI and totaled 10 points, including his first NHL goal Dec. 23, 2016, against the New Jersey Devils.

Ruhwedel appeared in six playoff games in the spring of 2017, including four against the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference Final. The Penguins won their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship that year. Those were the first of 25 postseason games Ruhwedel played in during his career.

All told, Ruhwedel recorded 50 points (13 goals, 37 assists) in 369 NHL regular-season games.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ad-ruhwedel-retires-nhl-stanley-cup-penguins/

 

[New York Rangers]

Darius Kasparaitis recalls end of Rangers tenure: ‘driving a Bentley’ to Hartford in 2007

Lou Capozzola-Imagn ImagesLou Capozzola-Imagn Images

It’s been 18 years since the New York Rangers effectively ended Darius Kasparaitis’ NHL career by waiving the hard-hitting defenseman and sending him to Hartford of the American Hockey League in January 2007.

But instead of being bitter about how things went down, Kasparaitis recited a funny anecdote when discussing the demotion on a recent episode of the Cam and Strick podcast.

“They sent me down and I felt very low. I was in the city, woke up like 4 a.m., looked out at the city and was thinking ‘Oh My God, my career is over,'” Kasparaitis recalled. “I was like [34] years old and I drove my Bentley to Hartford. All these kids are like ‘Man, what is this guy doing here, driving a Bentley, smoking a cigarette?!'”

That visual is classic Kasparaitis. He’s a unique character with an oversized personality. Though he was one of the fiercest competitors on the ice, and one of the dirtiest players of his era, Kasparaitis was equally known for his ever-present smile and quick wit.

One of our favorite, and most meaningful, traditions.

Our center ice stick salute was born during the '05-'06 season, when – after a particularly infamous shootout goal – Jaromir Jagr + Darius Kasparaitis wanted to thank the Garden crowd. pic.twitter.com/zJTKfmmlkN

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 28, 2024

And, yes, even he had to laugh all these years later about how absurd it must’ve looked when he arrived for his minor-league stint in a Bentley of all cars. Can you just picture the look on the faces of youngsters like Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky at the time?!

All humor aside, it was a difficult time for Kasparaitis, who had never played in the minor leagues since arriving from Lithuania in the fall of 1992 to play for the Islanders.

“It was one of the lowest points in my hockey career,” he explained. “I played the game on a certain level, and getting sent down — not because I was playing bad, I was probably not in the best shape because I was coming back from injury and Rangers had no patience, and also the Rangers had Dan Girardi playing so good in the minors, they tried to make a space for him.”

Related: Former Rangers goalie Keith Kinkaid hopes success in 3-on-3 tournament will help get him back to NHL

Darius Kasparaitis has ‘no hard feelings’ toward Rangers​

Lou Capozzola-Imagn Images

All of what Kasparaitis said is true. He had two surgeries in the offseason prior to the 2006-07 season and was, admittedly, out of shape. Coach Tom Renney stripped him off his alternate captain’s “A” and handed the role to Brendan Shanahan. But, yet, the veteran defenseman was playing competently on the Rangers’ back end.

He didn’t quite realize it at the time, Kasparaitis admitted in the interview, but he was also becoming addicted to pain killers following the surgeries.

As he said, the Rangers — specifically Renney — lost “patience” with him. Kasparaitis was unclaimed on waivers and took his expensive ride to Hartford.

Of course, that he could afford that Bentley is one of the reasons Kasparaitis feels no bitterness toward the Rangers.

“Listen, there’s no hard feelings. I think the Rangers gave me a good contract that last me a long time. They paid for my talent, big bucks,” Kasparaitis explained. “As a free agent, I was hoping for $2 million a year. And when my agent said I was being offered $4.2 (million) a year, I said ‘This is too much money. I don’t deserve this money.’ I told him that and he said ‘Don’t tell anybody that you think that way.’ “

He signed a six-year, $25.5 million contract with the Rangers on July 2, 2002. Kasparaitis explained on the podcast that he received a recruiting call from Eric Lindros, who wanted him on the Rangers despite being concussed by a Kasparaitis hit earlier in his career.

It was a no-brainer decision for Kasparaitis, who was also happy to remain in the division after starring for the Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins.

He played 215 games with the Rangers, including the final 24 of his NHL career in 2006-07. All told, Kasparaitis totaled 1,379 penalty minutes and 163 points in 863 regular-season NHL games. He also played 83 Stanley Cup Playoff games, and helped the Islanders reach the Eastern Conference Final in 1993 and the Colorado Avalanche advance to the Western Conference Final in 2002.

And by the sounds of it, he had zero regrets about signing with the Rangers — nor how his NHL career ended with them.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ecalls-driving-bentley-minor-league-demotion/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why former teammate believes Vincent Trocheck should be next Rangers captain: ‘he’s got … magnetism’

Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest debates ahead of training camp is which player should be the next captain of the New York Rangers.

There’s been a vacancy since Jacob Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in December. Recent history shows that the Rangers are willing to without one for a while, as they did after Ryan McDonagh was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018 and before Trouba was next to wear the “C” beginning in the 2022-23 season.

But it feels like this time the Rangers will move more quickly and name a captain before next season begins. J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck and Adam Fox appear to be the top candidates. Valis arguments can be made for each, ranging from leadership and personality traits, to who might be with the Rangers a longer period of time.

Though their are many varying opinions on this topic, one former Rangers player believes there’s no question that Trocheck should be named captain.

“There’s something about ‘Troch.’ He’s got that kind of magnetism that guys are drawn to,” Nick Bonino told co-hosts Jonny Lazarus and Colby Cohen on the latest Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast.

Related: Making the case for Vincent Trocheck to be next Rangers captain

Why Rangers ‘couldn’t go wrong’ naming Vincent Trocheck captain​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

There’ve been 29 captains in Rangers history, a tally that includes Mark Messier’s two separate stints (1991-1997; 2000-2004) wearing the ‘C.” Rangers legends Brian Leetch, Jaromir Jagr, Brad Park, Andy Bathgate and Harry Howell are among those who’ve also been captain.

So, why does Bonino believe Trocheck should be No. 30, in the 100th anniversary season with the Rangers?

“He’s vocal, but he’s not too vocal, and he plays hard — which is really what you want,” Bonino explained. “He’s going to go out every night and give it.”

Since signing with New York in 2022, Trocheck has been one of the Rangers’ most consistent performers, logging heavy minutes in all situations and delivering in key situations. For Bonino, it’s the exact habits a captain should embody.

Bonino and Trocheck were teammates for part of the 2023-24 season before Bonino’s tenure in New York ended abruptly. The veteran forward cleared waivers in late January, was given the All-Star break to choose his next move, and ultimately asked the Rangers to terminate his contract rather than report to Hartford of the American Hockey League AHL — which the organization honored.

But those four months and 45 games with the Rangers was enough for Trocheck to win Bonino over.

And the two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins — who’s now an assistant with the Penguins under new coach Dan Muse — knows a thing or two about great leaders. He did, after all, play with Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh, and was a respected leader himself over 15 seasons in the NHL.

So, even though Bonino has plenty of respect for Fox, who he played with, and Miller, who he knows from the Pittsburgh area and has played against, he also knows who his pick is for next Rangers captain.

“I can’t say enough good things about all those guys,” Bonino said. “But about Troch, he’s just a class guy and [has] a great family, and couldn’t go wrong with that pick for sure.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...nino-vincent-trocheck-next-captain-magnetism/