RSS Rangers Team Notes

[New York Rangers]

What’s next for Rangers after Scott Morrow recalled from AHL Hartford

For the second time in less than a week, the banged-up New York Rangers dipped into the minor leagues to recall a defenseman. They recalled rookie Scott Morrow from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Wednesday, three days after veteran Connor Mackey was called up.

To make room under the salary cap, the Rangers moved center Vincent Trocheck to LTIR. The 32-year-old is week to week with an upper-body injury sustained in the second game of the season, a 4-0 win in Buffalo against the Sabres. This means Trocheck must miss 10 games or 24 days, with the move retroactive to last Thursday. He’s already missed three games, including consecutive shutout losses at home to the Washington Capitals and Edmonton Oilers.

Morrow was recalled to ensure that the Rangers have seven healthy defensemen for their next game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. Will Borgen sustained a lower-body injury in New York’s 2-0 loss to the Oilers on Tuesday and didn’t practice Wednesday. Coach Mike Sullivan said Borgen is still being evaluated.

Borgen finished the game Tuesday and logged 20:32 TOI, contributing a pair of hits and one blocked shot.

Braden Schneider moved up from the third pair to skate in Borgen’s place to the right side of Matthew Robertson on the second pair at practice. Morrow was part of a rotation with Urho Vaakanainen and Mackey on the third pair — and the only right-hand shot among them.

Scott Morrow finds the cookies@Chicago_Wolves | #RFDvsCHI pic.twitter.com/uF9u3FVIGX

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) January 5, 2025

The 22-year-old made his Hartford debut and was held pointless with three shots on goal in a 2-1 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last weekend. He had a solid training camp and preseason with the Rangers, but was among the final cuts.

Morrow has 16 games of NHL experience, all with the Carolina Hurricanes, who dealt him to the Rangers this summer as part of the K’Andre Miller sign-and-trade agreement. Morrow had six points (one goal, five assists) with the Hurricanes last season, and 39 points (12 goals, 26 assists) in 52 games with AHL Chicago.

Mackey was recalled over the weekend when veteran defenseman Carson Soucy landed on IR with an upper-body issue. The Rangers scratched Mackey the past two games.

Rangers options after recalling Scott Morrow from AHL​

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

1. Scott Morrow could make Rangers debut if Will Borgen out with injury​

The most likely scenario if Borgen is out for (at least) the game Thursday up in Toronto against the Maple Leafs is that Morrow draws into the lineup on the right side of the third pair, with Schneider moving up to the second pair and remaining on the right side in Borgen’s place next to Robertson (as was the case at practice).

The simplest play by Sullivan then is to keep Vaakanainen on the left side of the third pair. It’s highly doubtful the Rangers want three of their six defensemen to be Robertson, Morrow and Mackey against Auston Matthews and Co. Vaakanainen was benched for most of the third period Tuesday, but he started the season as a regular d-man and that should continue Thursday.

The Rangers could insert Mackey into the lineup if Sullivan opts not to put Morrow in. In that case, either Mackey or Vaakanainen would play his off (right) side.

2. Scott Morrow could play against Maple Leafs even if Will Borgen is healthy​

However, it can’t be overlooked that Sullivan did indeed bench Vaakanainen against the Oilers. The 26-year-old took just two shifts in the third period and totaled a season-low 12:52 TOI, fewest among Rangers defensemen. Sullivan said it was because of “matchups” when the Oilers broke up Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl during the course of the game.. But it already appeared he trusts Robertson more since it’s the rookie who stepped in to take Soucy’s spot on the left side of the second pair. Then it was Vaakanainen, not the less-experienced Robertson, who was odd man out in the defensive rotation against Edmonton.

So, it’s possible that Borgen and Morrow each play Thursday while Vaakanainen is a healthy scratch. That would mean Schneider bumps up to the second pair and shifts to his off (left) side. Sullivan did use Schneider in that role some in the Oilers game and Sunday against the Capitals as well.

It’s less likely this happens, especially since it’d mean Robertson partners with Morrow on an all-rookie third pair. But it can’t be discounted considering the recent developments with Vaakanainen.

Sullivan said after practice that “it depends on the injuries” if Morrow plays or not. So, there’s that, too.

3. Power play boost​

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

If Morrow does draw in to the lineup in Toronto, will he receive time on the power play? Morrow is a highly-skilled offensive defenseman, who capably quarterbacked the second unit for much of the preseason. But that’s been Schneider’s role since the regular season started, and he appears to be growing with the opportunity.

Though the Rangers are just 2-for-14 on the power play this season, there were no personnel changes to either unit at practice. That likely means Schneider stays put on PP2, whether Morrow is in the lineup or not. But if the rookie does dress Thursday and the power play needs an in-game jolt, Morrow is definitely an excellent option to jump in at any point.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...rangers-recall-scott-morrow-defenseman-injury

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers vs. Maple Leafs: Lineups, storylines, including Will Borgen status

What a perfect time for the New York Rangers to skip out of the Big Apple for a two-game road trip this week.

In the midst of an historic scoring drought on home ice, the Rangers visit the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. They follow that up with a visit to the Bell Centre to play the Canadiens on Saturday.

The Rangers (2-3-0) are the first team in NHL history held scoreless in their first three home games in a season. New York’s latest shutout loss was a frustrating 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner stopped all 30 shots by the Rangers, who’ve yet to score on 90 shots over three games at MSG this season.

Though the Rangers remain confident and believe they’ve played exceptionally well despite a befuddling inability to score at home, they welcome taking to the road. In fact, it can be argued that the Rangers feel quite at home on the road, and have for years.

The Rangers won each of their road games to date this season, outscoring the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins by a whopping 10-1 combined. Moreover, no team in the NHL has more road points than the Rangers (210) since the 2021-22 season. Second on that list? The Maple Leafs (209), though that won’t exactly help them on Thursday, will it?

In fact, the Rangers have points in four straight games (2-0-2) visiting Scotiabank Arena, and in six of their past seven road games (4-0-2) against the Maple Leafs.

The Rangers defeated the Maple Leafs in their only visit to Toronto last season, a 4-1 decision on Oct. 19, 2024. That was part of four straight road wins by the Rangers out of the starting gate. They finished with 20 road victories, the fourth straight season with at least that many.

The Maple Leafs (2-2-0) have won two of three at home this season, including a 7-4 victory on Tuesday. Auston Matthews led the offensive explosion with two goals for Toronto, and three players — William Nylander, John Tavares, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson — each had three points (one goal, two assists apiece).

Nylander didn’t take part in the morning skate Thursday, but Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube calmed any fears that the star forward won’t play against the Rangers. Berube explained that Nylander was off ice for maintenance.

3 storylines when Rangers visit Maple Leafs​

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

1. Will Borgen game-time decision​

Will Borgen took part in the optional morning skate, but is a game-time decision, per Sullivan. The 28-year-old defenseman didn’t practice Wednesday due to a lower-body injury sustained in the loss to Edmonton on Tuesday.

The Rangers have options if Borgen can’t play against the Maple Leafs. Scott Morrow was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Wednesday, and Sullivan said the chance that the 22-year-old rookie’s in the lineup “depends on the injuries.” Connor Mackey was a healthy scratch Tuesday, and remains an option if Borgen is out against the Maple Leafs.

In either scenario, it’s likely Braden Schneider moves up to the second defense pair if Borgen doesn’t play. And either Morrow or Mackey would draw in on the third pair.

Carson Soucy, who’s on IR with an upper-body injury, took part in the morning skate wearing no-contact jersey. That was a piece of good news for the Rangers.

2. Rangers PK vs. Maple Leafs power play​

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Rangers are one of two teams yet to allow a power-play goal this season, along with the Boston Bruins. The New York penalty kill is a perfect 10-for-10. Igor Shesterkin’s the main reason for that — the Rangers goalie has been outstanding in all situations with an overall .972 save percentage in four starts, but his play shorthanded is really superb. The addition of defenseman Vladisalv Gavrikov on the PK is a big help too. And another key is that the Rangers are extremely disciplined, short-handed one time or fewer in three of five games. They didn’t take a single penalty Tuesday against the Oilers.

On the flip side, the Maple Leafs seek their first power-play goal of the season. They’ve had only eight chances — two in each of their four games. Only the Vancouver Canucks are also without a power-play goal. Last season, the Maple Leafs tied for eighth in the League on the power play, converting at 24.8 percent. Three of their forwards — Matthews (12), Nylander (12), and John Tavares (10) — had double-digit power-play goals.

3. A different look for Maple Leafs​

Perhaps one of the reasons why the Toronto power play has struggled to begin the season is that Mitch Marner is no longer out there. The long-time Maple Leafs star is in Vegas now, after he agreed to sign and trade with the Golden Knights ahead of NHL free agency July 1. Marner led the Maple Leafs with 33 power-play points last season and finished fifth in the NHL with a career-high 102 points (27 goals, 75 points).

That’s a lot of production the Maple Leafs must replace, even with Matthews, Tavares, Nylander, and Matthew Knies among those still on the roster. Instead of finding a high-profile — and expensive — star player to replace Marner, the Maple Leafs sought to build up their forward depth. Nicolas Roy, Matias Miccelli, and Dakota Joshua were brought in this offseason, and highly-touted prospect Easton Cowan will get a look, too. That group’s been pretty quiet, so far, though veteran middle-sixer Calle Jarnkrok is tied with Matthews for the team goal-scoring lead (3).

New York Rangers projected lineup​

Artemi Panarin — Mika Zibanejad — Alexis Lafreniere

Will Cuylle — J.T. Miller — Conor Sheary

Jonny Brodzinski — Noah Laba– Taylor Raddysh

Adam Edstrom — Sam Carrick — Matt Rempe

Vladislav Gavrikov — Adam Fox

Matthew Robertson — Will Borgen

Urho Vaakanainen — Braden Schneider

Igor Shesterkin

Jonathan Quick

Rangers vs. Maple Leafs: When, where, what time, how to watch​

Who: New York Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

When: Thursday Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Scotiabank Arena

How to watch: MSG

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-road-trip-maple-leafs-preview

 

[New York Rangers]

Key Rangers takeaways after 2-1 OT loss to Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews

The New York Rangers ended a prolonged scoring drought and picked up a well-earned point in the standings Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. But the Rangers still were left with an empty feeling after Auston Matthews scored less than a minute into overtime to hand them a 2-1 defeat at Scotiabank Arena.

The Maple Leafs capitalized on a Mika Zibanejad turnover and scored the game-winner off a 3-on-1 rush up ice. Only Adam Fox was back for the Rangers, and the defenseman ended up sliding out of the play when William Nylander deked him with a neat toe drag. Matthews was wide open to the side of the net for an easy tap-in against the defenseless Igor Shesterkin.

WILLIAM NYLANDER.
AUSTON MATTHEWS.
OVERTIME WINNER!!!@OREO | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/6mkMRuC4Sk

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 17, 2025

It was a very quiet night prior to that for Matthews. But he came through when needed most — his fourth goal in five games came just 58 seconds into each team’s first overtime contest this season.

Shesterkin finished with 22 saves, and allowed more than one goal for the first time in five starts this season. His Toronto counterpart, Anthony Stolarz, was outstanding, stopping 28 of 29 shots.

The Rangers (2-3-1) lost their third straight game (0-2-1) and first on the road (2-0-1). The Maple Leafs (3-2-0) won their second in a row.

“The key for me right now is we got to make sure we don’t get discouraged,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said postgame. “It was a big point for us. It’s an important point for us. We’ve got to make sure that we control our own mindsets here moving forward. I think our intentions are in the right place.”

Trailing 1-0 early in the third period, the Rangers not only pulled even, but scored their first goal in three games after being shut out by the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday and the Washington Capitals on Sunday. Juuso Parssinen deflected Braden Schneider’s long-range shot past Stolarz at 4:51, and you could almost hear the collective sigh of relief from the Rangers bench all the way back in New York.

Schneids with the shot + Juuso deflects it in. pic.twitter.com/aI1bJDeza1

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 17, 2025

It had been 170 minutes and 39 seconds of game time since the Rangers last scored late in the third period of their 6-1 win in Pittsburgh against the Penguins on Saturday. In a twist of irony, Taylor Raddysh, Parssinen’s linemate, scored that one.

The Maple Leafs opened the scoring at 11:48 of the first period, netting their first power-play goal this season. Nylander’s right-wing shot hit Shesterkin and then deflected in off Matthew Knies, who was in tight near the net, for his second goal of the season.

That was also the first power-play goal surrendered by the Rangers in six games. They killed off 11 straight, including one earlier in the first period, and were one of only two teams that had yet to allow a power-play goal entering play Thursday.

Matthew Knies was in the right place at the right time to break the ice pic.twitter.com/JLYxXaVYDZ

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 16, 2025

The Rangers also had two power plays of their own in the first period, but were unable to cash in despite firing eight shots on goal in four minutes with the man advantage. Stolarz robbed a wide-open Alexis Lafreniere with a diving glove save on New York’s first power play. Later in the period, Stolarz frustrated J.T. Miller, whose point-blank shot was swallowed up by the Toronto goalie.

Stolarz closed out that second successful kill with an impressive 1-2 sequence, kicking out a shot through traffic, and then somehow gloving Will Cuylle’s rebound try even though he was flat on his back.

The Rangers failed on their only other play in the second period, but slowly turned the tide in their favor at even strength. They won numerous puck battles as the period went on, and both Miller and Cuylle had excellent scoring chances again denied by the sharp Stolarz.

It was shaping up to be a replay of the previous two games, when the Rangers out-played, out-shot, and out-chanced the opposition, but failed to score against a hot goaltender. That is until Parssinen, a healthy scratch in four of the first six games this season, finally got one past Stolarz early in the third period,

Though New York largely dominated the third — holding a 10-4 shots advantage and 73.32 percent expected goals share, per Natural Stat Trick, the couldn’t score again. And ultimately fell short in overtime.

Here are some other key takeaways after the Rangers’ 2-1 road loss to the Maple Leafs.

1. Young forwards switch lines, play well, create chances: same frustrating results​

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Will Cuylle and Alexis Lafreniere tied for the Rangers lead with eight shot attempts apiece, and each young forward had numerous Grade-A scoring chances. But neither was able to end his scoring slump. Cuylle, who had a team-high five shots on goal, is stuck on one goal through six games. So is Lafreniere, who had two shots on goal and was caught staring up at the Scotiabank Arena ceiling at one point after he was robbed by Stolarz.

“I think you just try to keep a level head,” Cuylle said about whether he’s frustrated. “I feel like you maybe miss a few of those and hopefully 30 games down the road one goes off my head and in. I like to think that over a long season it’ll balance out.”

Perhaps in an attempt to change his team’s fortunes offensively, Sullivan swapped Lafreniere and Cuylle at even strength. Lafreniere moved from his usual spot on right wing alongside Artemi Panarin and Zibanejad, to left wing on a line with Miller and Conor Sheary to start the second period. Cuylle then took Lafreniere’s spot on the Zibanejad line.

The Miller line with Lafreniere had an expected goals share of 69.28 percent, and the Zibanejad line with Cuylle finished at 63.82 percent.

2. Making most of opportunity​

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Parssinen has been an overlooked and somewhat forgotten player for the Rangers. He was beaten out for the 3C role by rookie Noah Laba in the preseason and had played just one regular-season game prior to Thursday. But there he was, using his big body to get to the front of the net and then showed good hands to deflect in New York’s only goal against Toronto.

He logged only 8:41 TOI on Thursday but took advantage of the opportunity he was given. Same held true in his season debut last Saturday, when he played a bit more than nine minutes and picked up an assist.

3. Borgen’s back​

Well, actually Will Borgen didn’t go anywhere. But there was concern he’d miss this game after sustaining a lower-body injury against the Oilers and not practicing Wednesday. Sullivan said Borgen was a game-time decision after the defenseman took part in the morning skate.

Still, rookie defenseman Scott Morrow was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League and participated in warmups just in case. Borgen, though, played 24 shifts totaling 16:22 against the Maple Leafs, skating in his usual spot on the second pair with Matthew Robertson.

It took just five minutes into the game before Borgen blocked a shot by Matthews, simply doing what he does, whether playing hurt or not. He also whizzed a long shot through traffic that turned into a tricky save by Stolarz right before the buzzer ended the first period.

One the down side, Borgen let Knies slip behind him and gain position to score the first goal of the game. Borgen had his back to the play and there was nothing he could do when the puck ricocheted into the net.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/takeaways-recap-overtime-loss-maple-leafs

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Artemi Panarin contract talks with Rangers could get more complicated

Let’s start with this. Neither the New York Rangers nor their star forward Artemi Panarin have said anything of substance publicly about contract talks.

Panarin is due to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, when his current seven-year, $81.5 million contract expires. It should be noted that deal worked out for extremely well for both sides. Panarin takes home a robust $11.643 million annually. And he’s been pretty much worth every penny, leading the Rangers in scoring each of his first six seasons with them.

But they’re are a slew of complicating factors to work through moving forward if Panarin’s going to continue playing for the Rangers past this season.

Artemi Panarin.

WHAT A RIP. pic.twitter.com/x9DtEzUaHM

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 7, 2024

To begin, let’s combine two of them. Panarin turns 34 on Oct. 30, and is off to the least productive start of his Rangers tenure.

He’s without a goal for a team desperately in need of scoring through six games. It’s early, but the Rangers are 2-3-1 almost exclusively because they aren’t finishing, sitting on 11 goals total, so far, and in the midst of an historic drought on home ice — scoreless in their first three games at Madison Square Garden.

If ever the Rangers needed the Breadman to produce, it’s now. But he’s sitting on a goose egg, with no goals on 13 shots (and just two assists). Panarin did miss the entire preseason due a pair of injuries and doesn’t look quite right. However, he’s still averaging 21:09 TOI, more than any other Rangers forward.

So, yeah, that’s a bit concerning for the Rangers. Especially when they consider making another financial commitment to Panarin as he hits his mid-30s, as part of a core that also includes J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, and Vincent Trocheck, each of whom will be 33 next season and signed long term.

“You need to think about the future, and if you want to still build around these core guys that you’ve had,” SiriusXM NHL Network Radio host Ryan Paton told Forever Blueshirts on the Rink Rap podcast. “And it’s a young person’s game. Every year it gets faster. Every year it gets more skilled. I’m not saying Panarin can’t keep up — he’s a very, very good hockey player — but he’s 33 and he’ll be 34 next season. You can’t stop the age factor.”

Panarin’s been extremely durable and consistent throughout his 11-year NHL career with the Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Chicago Blackhawks. And he had 37 goals and 89 points last season, one year after recording 12o points, second most in franchise history. So, he certainly gets the benefit of the doubt after only six games this season. But the concerns are valid.

“He’s started slowly, and you just wonder where this (the contract talks) is all going to go,” added NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.

‘It’s going to be a big number’ for Rangers to re-sign Artemi Panarin​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

That leads us to the issues surrounding the actual nuts and bolts of a possible deal. Paton believes that Panarin won’t take a lower AAV than his current contract, meaning that $12 million per year could be a starting point. It’d likely be much higher if he was younger.

But then again, with Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov and Kyle Connor having already re-signed with their respective teams, Panarin might be the crown jewel of the 2026 NHL free agent class, despite his age. Can you say bidding war?

Artemi Panarin. pic.twitter.com/z3eCSJvWqB

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 13, 2024

Friedman reported that the Rangers were rebuffed by Panarin when they suggested a similar team-friendly contract extension to the one Anze Kopitar signed with the Los Angeles Kings in 2023 (two years, $14 million).

“We already know they went to him and asked ‘Are you willing to take a Kopitar-kind of deal?’ And the answer was no,” Friedman explained on Sportsnet 590 The FAN earlier this week. “So, you know it’s going to be a big number if you’re keeping him.”

How big is that number? Friedman won’t hazard a guess. But he does believe that term is the biggest factor for the Rangers, especially with the NHL salary cap rising significantly in the coming years.

“To me, I think the question solely is: what Panarin is asking for, whatever that is, do the Rangers think it makes sense based on his play?,” he said. “It’s obvious, that they prefer him on a short-term deal. Because remember, Kopitar got 2X7, and I don’t know that’s what they pitched [Panarin] on, but it was that kind of philosophy. To me, if you’re asking if they see him in a 3-4 year deal, I’d say a thousand percent, they’d do it.”

This isn’t a decision that the Rangers can push off until after the season. But it’s not just their call here.

“My hunch, and that’s only what it is as nobody is offering inside information on this topic, is that Panarin will not re-sign during the season,” Dan Rosen wrote in an NHL.com column.

So, yes, rock meet hard place, if you’re the Rangers.

Right now, the short-term goal — pardon the pun — is to get Panarin scoring goals and for the Rangers to bank points in the standings.

The rest? Yes, it’s complicated.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/artemi-panarin-contract-talks-complicated

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers Daily: Power play no savior; Many sides to Carter Hart decision

Remember the good old days, when criticizing the New York Rangers for leaning so heavily on their power play to bail them out time and again was the cool thing to do?

Yeah, we could use a dose of that right about now. Because at least there was always hope that no matter the circumstances, the Rangers could rally for a win or pull away in a close game or turn the momentum in their favor, thanks to their potent power play.

These are not those days.

In fact, the Rangers’ scoring woes to date this season are magnified even more so because the power play is not coming to the rescue.

Now, to be fair, the Rangers are moving the puck around pretty nicely on the power play and getting plenty of Grade-A chances. They had eight shots on goal on a pair of first-period power plays Thursday in their 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alexis Lafreniere, Will Cuylle and J.T. Miller each was flat-out robbed by Toronto goalie Anthony Stolarz with the Rangers skating on the man advantage.

But just like at even strength, the Rangers cannot find a way to score that big goal — or any goal, for the most part — on the power play. They’re 2-for-17 (11.8 percent) to start this season. Each of those power-play goals was scored in the 6-1 win last Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. That means the Rangers have not scored on the power play in five of their six games, including each of their four losses (0-3-1).

After an 0-for-3 outing Thursday, the Rangers are scoreless on 10 power-play opportunities in games they lost this season.

Listen, the Rangers only have 11 goals of any kind (seven even-strength, two power-play, one short-handed and one into an empty met) in six games this season — so this frustrating trend doesn’t land exclusively on the power play.

But it is fair to acknowledge that the power play isn’t coming to the rescue either, like it used to. And for that matter, it’s worth noting that New York’s power play dropped to 28th in the League (17.8 percent) last season.

Coach Mike Sullivan and captain J.T. Miller are right to remain positive and believe that things will turn around because the Rangers are doing so many good things out there, both 5v5 and on the power play.

But Adam Fox is spot-on too, when he says, “We’re getting good looks. I think everyone could kind of feel that, but we’ve definitely got to finish on those chances, too. It’s not just a game of expected goals. You’ve got to actually finish it.”

New York Rangers news and analysis​

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Here are our key Rangers takeaways from that frustrating 2-1 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs.

Our John Kreiser dives into how the Rangers are handling their maddening scoring issues to start the 2025-26 season.

How about a little off-ice drama for the Rangers? There are reports that the Blueshirts are having conversations about trading former first-round pick Brennan Othmann.

Ricky Milliner previews the weekend ahead for the Hartford Wolf Pack and weighs in on captain Casey Fitzgerald and the new leadership group for the Rangers’ AHL affiliate.

NHL news and rumors​

Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

ESPN: Carter Hart agreed to a PTO with the Vegas Golden Knights, with the expectation that he will sign a standard NHL contract in the near future. The 27-year-old goalie was an unrestricted free agent, and was acquitted on sexual assault charges this summer.

The Athletic ($$): Chris Johnston dives into why the former Flyers goalie chose to play for the Golden Knights and what Hart offers them nearly two years after his most recent NHL game.

The Guardian: Not everyone is happy that Hart’s been reinstated by the NHL after his summer acquittal.

NHL.com: Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk had thumb surgery and will be out 6-8 weeks. It was originally estimated, before the surgery, that the star forward would miss at least four weeks of action.

TSN: Shane Pinto is on fire for the Senators. He scored his NHL-leading sixth goal and the shootout winner against the Sratlle Kraken on Thursday.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils were the final team to play its home opener this season, but the wait was worth it. Their stars led the way in a 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers.

TSN: Darren Dreger reported on Insider Trading that the Devils are still pursuing a contract extension with Jacob Markstrom, even though the veteran goalie is sidelined with a lower-body injury.

Sportsnet: Mark Scheifele scored two goals in a 5-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers, and tied the Winnipeg Jets record for most points in franchise history (812).

San Jose Hockey Now ($$): Sheng Peng talks with some NHL scouts to find out exactly what the San Jose Sharks got in 22-year-old defenseman Vincent Iorio, whom they claimed off waivers from the Washington Capitals.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-power-play-struggles-2025-26-season

 

[New York Rangers]

Why MSG analyst sees Rangers ‘amazing stretch’ defensively as positive sign

The New York Rangers have had an up-and-down start to the 2025-26 season.

On the one hand, the offense can’t seem to buy a goal. New York’s 1.83 goals per game (11 in six games) is next-to-last in the NHL. The Blueshirts have taken an NHL-high 182 shots entering Saturday’s game against the Canadiens in Montreal, but their 6.0 shooting percentage is dead last in the League (the Calgary Flames are next-to-last at 7.6 percent).

Juuso Parssinen’s deflection goal in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday snapped an eight-period scoreless drought for the Rangers. But it wasn’t enough to give them a win. The Rangers got the “loser point” when Auston Matthews’ goal 58 seconds into overtime gave Toronto a 2-1 victory and handed the Rangers their third straight loss.

But while the offense has struggled, the Rangers have done an excellent job keeping the puck out of their own net.

New York entered the third period in Toronto trailing 1-0 but allowed just four shots on goal to a high-powered Maple Leafs offense. They managed a similar feat in a 2-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, holding the reigning Western Conference champions to a season-low 22 shots and the deadly duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to just three shots combined.

The Rangers haven’t been able to enjoy the fruits of their labor yet, but it’s a striking change from the defensive woes that have plagued them.

“The shots are low, the chances are manageable,” MSG analyst Steve Valiquette noted postgame after the loss in Toronto. “This is the best defensive structure this team’s played with — minus a stretch two years ago when they won the Presidents’ Trophy. This is an amazing stretch to start the season.”

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

That might seem like an odd compliment to give a team that was in the top 10 in goals against average for three consecutive seasons from 2021-22 to 2023-24, including second place during Igor Shesterkin’s Vezina Trophy season in 2021-22. But those numbers were much more reflective of elite goaltending, headlined by Shesterkin, than of the defense in front of them.

Since 2021-22, the beginning of New York’s resurgence as a playoff contender, the Rangers have never finished top 10 in high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes (HDCA/60), according to Natural Stat Trick. The highest the Rangers ever ranked in that metric was 17th in the League in 2023-24, when they set team records for wins and points while winning the Presidents’ Trophy.

The issue was particularly striking last season, where New York finished fourth-worst in the NHL in HDCA/60. Even Shesterkin’s brilliance couldn’t save them — the Rangers finished 19th in GAA.

Contrast that with the metrics New York has posted through six games in 2025-26 — the Blueshirts lead the NHL with 7.44 HDCA/60, and have allowed the third-fewest scoring chances per 60.

I can't remember any point of my #NYR fandom where they out-chanced their opponents, strong opponents at that, for 3 straight games and lost all 3.

This trend is absolutely baffling, but I love to wake up and see these stats.

Per @NatStatTrick:

At 5v5, #NYR are 1st in…

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 17, 2025

The defensive miscues aren’t nonexistent, but they’re fewer and farther between. However, with the offense in a slump for the ages, even a handful of mistakes is too much.

in Toronto, the Leafs ended up with a 2-on-1 in overtime after Mika Zibanejad whiffed on a golden scoring opportunity. Defenseman Adam Fox made a full-body slide towards the puck carrier, William Nylander, but took himself out of the play — opening a lane for him to hit Matthews back-door for the game-winner.

In the loss to the Oilers, Urho Vaakanainen’s dump-in attempt ricocheted off a linesman at the Edmonton blue line. Trent Frederic wound up with the puck, stepped around Vaakanainen near the Rangers’ blue line and went in alone before beating Shesterkin between the pads — Edmonton’s only goal until hitting an empty net. But the Blueshirts couldn’t get anything past Stuart Skinner and were shut out for the third time in as many home games this season.

HAVE YOURSELF A NIGHT STUART SKINNER

That's a 30-save shutout for the @EdmontonOilers netminder pic.twitter.com/ixLoM6KTiH

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 15, 2025

The most glaring error likely occurred in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins when Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere prematurely pushed up ice on a first-period defensive-zone face-off, vacating the front of the net. Justin Brazeau’s goal gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead, and they hit the empty net twice to win 3-0.

But aside from a few missteps, the blue line has played responsibly — and that even includes the 24-year-old Matthew Robertson, who’s filling in for the injured Carson Soucy. Meanwhile, the forwards have taken quickly to coach Mike Sullivan’s trademark forecheck, and it’s brought out the best in New York’s bottom six.

“You build all of your confidence early in the year,” Valiquette explained. “All of your trust — it can get broken or built, and it’s being built right now.”

But all that trust won’t mean much if the Rangers don’t start turning their scoring chances into goals — although if the new defensive structure continues to pay dividends, they won’t need to score at a League-best clip to win games.

New defensive structure making life easier for Igor Shesterkin​

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Rangers lead the NHL with a 1.50 GAA — and when you dive deeper, it gets even more impressive.

Of the nine goals they’ve allowed, three have been empty-netters. That means New York’s goaltenders — Shesterkin and backup Jonathan Quick — have surrendered just six goals through six games.

The bulk of the credit goes to Shesterkin, who’s played five games and leads the NHL with a .962 save percentage and 8.1 goals saved above expected (GSAA), per MoneyPuck.

Igor Shesterkin…
2 wins in his first 5 games.
All 5 starts have been quality starts (+ goals saved above expected).
3 of the top 15 goalie performances this season (by GSAE).
Leads NHL in save % (min. 2 games), despite facing league-high 63 slot shots.
Leads NHL with 7.5 GSAE. pic.twitter.com/QwvksTS5fJ

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) October 17, 2025

“He’s been the best news, not just because he’s the brightest spot and has been the most noticeable, but it’s because of how they’ve protected him,” Valiquette said. “When you look at the odd-man rushes, they’re down 35 percent this year. The east-to-west chances, they’re down 72 percent. He’s allowed to make a read and be very confident with his positioning.”

Shesterkin signed an eight-year, $92 million extension last December ($11.5 million average annual value) — the largest deal ever given to an NHL goaltender. If he hadn’t already, he’s proving his worth this season.

SHESTYYYY

Igor Shesterkin has allowed just five goals through five games and has a .962 Sv%.

: @NYRangers vs. @CanadiensMTL TONIGHT at 7p ET on @Sportsnet and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/Q03b1CnRxA

— NHL (@NHL) October 18, 2025

In past seasons, Shesterkin was the equalizer, capable of covering for New York’s defensive lapses with his ability to make athletic, high-danger saves. If the Rangers continue to play soundly in front of their star netminder, as they’ve done so far through six games, it may yield Shesterkin’s best season yet — and that’s a lofty bar.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/defense-cause-for-optimism

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers center knocked out of Canucks game after Tom Wilson hit

In what’s become a far too familiar scene during his NHL career, former New York Rangers center Filip Chytil was helped off the ice Sunday after receiving a heavy hit. The Vancouver Canucks ruled Chytil out for the rest of their game against the Washington Capitals, amid fears that the oft-injured forward could’ve sustained another concussion.

The 26-year-old was shaken up after an open-ice hit from Capitals forward Tom Wilson with under a minute remaining in the first period at Capital One Arena. Chytil made a pass to his right near the red line, when Wilson came from his blind side and leveled him with a shoulder to the chest.

You hate to see this for Filip Chytil. Needs help leaving the ice.

The head injuries continue to pile up. pic.twitter.com/ciWHX6zU99

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) October 19, 2025

There was no penalty called on the play. Wilson didn’t make contact with Chytil’s head, but the hit might’ve been a touch late. If anything, there could’ve been a minor penalty assessed for interference.

Chytil had a long history of head injuries over seven seasons with the Rangers. He played only 10 games in 2023-24, after he sustained a concussion against the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 2, 2023, and then had further issues in January.

He did return to play in six postseason games for the Rangers in the spring of 2024. But last season, Chytil sustained another head injury after he was moved to the Canucks as part of J.T. Miller trade on Jan. 31.

That injury took place in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks in mid-March, and Chytil didn’t play again the rest of the season.

He got married this past summer and had a normal offseason of training Chytil remained upbeat and optimistic that his injury woes were in the past ahead of training camp in September.

“Knock on wood, I feel very good and feel very positive,” Chytil told the 100% Canucks Podcast.

“Two weeks after I came [back to the Czech Republic] I started to work out and skate. Now, it’s almost four months already where I’m working out and skating.”

More injury concerns for former Rangers center Filip Chytil​

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Chytil entered played Sunday tied with Brock Boeser and Kiefer Sherwood for the Canucks lead with three goals in give games. After the trade last season, Chytil recorded six points (two goals, four assists) in 15 games with the Canucks.

A first-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2017 (No. 21 overall), Chytil is two games shy of 400 in the NHL, and has 173 points (80 goals, 93 assists).

His best season was in 2022-23 when Chytil scored 22 goals and totaled 45 points in 74 games with the Rangers.

The Canucks already were without Boeser on Sunday. The 28-year-old forward didn’t play due to personal reasons.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/canucks-chytil-faces-injury-concerns

 

[New York Rangers]

‘Surreal’: Rangers rookie nets 1st NHL goal in comeback win vs. Canadiens

There were smiles all around in the New York Rangers’ dressing room after they overcame an early two-goal deficit and left Bell Centre with a 4-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens. No one was happier than rookie defenseman Matthew Robertson, whose first NHL goal early in the third period put the Rangers ahead to stay.

The 24-year-old, who was victimized by a bad bounce that led to Montreal’s first goal 1:33 into the game, teed up a straightaway slap shot that found its way past Montreal goaltender Sam Montembeault at 4:11 to put the Rangers ahead 3-2.

“Surreal. I mean, it still hasn’t really kicked in,” Robertson said postgame, after getting his first NHL point in his sixth game. “I just shot the puck and it ended up going in. … It’s a roller coaster of emotions.”

Robertson with a RIP. pic.twitter.com/4xfXSx3uJN

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 19, 2025

Coach Mike Sullivan was especially happy for Robertson because of the way he rebounded from his early-game misfortune.

“That’s not an easy puck that he was handling,” Sullivan explained. “That was coming around the wall. We’ve got to do a better job supporting that, so we don’t give up a 2-on-1 in that circumstance, and that’s something that we’ll work at as a group. But as a young player, sometimes that can affect a guy, right?

“What I loved about his response is — when I say we learned a lot of things about our group, that’s one of the things that I’m talking about. It’s his ability to shake it off and just play.”

Matthew Robertson making most of opportunity with Rangers​

Robertson was New York’s second-round pick (No. 49 overall) in the 2019 draft, but his path to the NHL has been, to borrow an old Beatles tune, a long and winding road. He spent two more years in junior hockey with the Edmonton Oil Kings and was in his fourth season with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford before getting a two-game cup of coffee with the big club late last season.

He made the team out of training camp as a seventh defenseman and was scratched for the first three games this season before stepping into the lineup when Carson Soucy went down with an upper-body injury. Robertson’s averaging 17:17 TOI in four games since and done nothing to hurt his chances of staying in the lineup when Soucy returns.

Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

He showed poise and maturity to not let that unfortunate first goal sink his night on Saturday. The Puck skipped past Robertson at the left point, sending Montreal’s Cole Caufield streaking the other way. Juraj Slafkovsky finished off the 2-on-1 to put the Rangers in an early 1-0 hole.

Juraj Slafkovský ouvre la marque au Centre Bell pic.twitter.com/a2uR9sq685

— RDS (@RDSca) October 18, 2025

“I thought, just watching him play the rest of the game, he was competing hard,” the coach said. “It didn’t affect his confidence or his swagger, so to speak. He’s a physical guy. He’s a mobile guy. He defends well, but the fact that he reacted the way he reacted, I think, just speaks to his maturity.”

Robertson said he’s “just trying to take it shift by shift. I’m not trying to look too far ahead and try to enjoy every moment and get better.”

Asked if he was showing something to himself with his play, Robertson replied that “for sure, it’s building confidence every shift you’re out there, every good play you make. I’m just trying to build off each and every shift, each and every game – just getting confidence in yourself.”

Congrats, Matthew! pic.twitter.com/wlxG3E0cCa

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 19, 2025

Robertson’s performance was a key part of might be a turning point in the Rangers season.

They allowed the first goal for the fifth time in seven games — but won for the first time. Their 7-0-2 point streak in Montreal is the second-longest in team history, behind only an 11-game run (six wins, five ties) from March 19, 1938 to Jan. 4, 1941.

They’re also 3-0-1 with 15 goals scored in their four road games; their problems have come at home, where the Rangers are 0-3-0 and have yet to score a goal.

“I thought it was a real gutsy effort by the guys,” Sullivan said. “When you go through some of the early adversity (shutout losses in each of their first three home games) that we’ve gone through here, I said to them after the game, ‘That game could’ve gone south fast.’ We get down two early like that, given the circumstances that we’ve gone through the last week or so, I just give the players a lot of credit.

“You learn about your group when you go through experiences like this. What we learned is that we’ve got a high character group in there. There’s a certain resilience to them that I think is admirable and necessary to win in this league. Couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...thew-robertson-first-nhl-goal-rangers-victory

 

[New York Rangers]

What’s next for Rangers defensive corps with Carson Soucy’s return

Defenseman Carson Soucy was in the lineup for the New York Rangers when they hosted the Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. He was activated earlier in the day after missing four games with an upper-body injury, and his return figures to cause some shuffling along the Rangers’ blue line.

Soucy ditched his red non-contact jersey for a regular sweater during New York’s morning skate, joining Braden Schneider on the third pairing. While coach Mike Sullivan labeled Soucy as a game-time decision, the 31-year-old confirmed he was feeling 100 percent and is ready to return.

“It looked worse than it was,” Soucy said of his injury, alluding to a scary moment during the second period of an Oct. 11 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins when he awkwardly went headfirst into the boards.

Soucy’s return resulted in 22-year-old defenseman Scott Morrow being reassigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL farm team, after practice. Urho Vaakanainen, who’s been a third-pairing regular, stayed behind with the other expected scratches and didn’t dress for a game for the first time this season.

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

New York acquired Soucy from the Vancouver Canucks in early March, sending a conditional 2025 third-round pick in return. He suited up for 16 games in the final six weeks of the 2024-25 season, tallying three points and a plus-2 rating. The 31-year-old began this season playing alongside Will Borgen on the second pair; he has one point, a goal, in three games.

How Soucy’s return affects Rangers’ blue line​

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

1. Matthew Robertson vs Urho Vaakanainen​

Soucy’s return forced one of New York’s other left-handed defensemen out of the lineup. Vladislav Gavrikov is ensconced on the first pair with Adam Fox, so that battle comes down to Matthew Robertson and Vaakanainen.

Robertson broke camp with the Rangers as their seventh defenseman, slotting into the lineup only after Soucy’s injury. Yet it’s Vaakanainen who spent Monday watching instead of playing.

Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Although Sullivan refrained from committing in either direction, he confirmed after the morning skate that Robertson has forced his way into the conversation with a strong four-game stretch.

The 24-year-old scored his first NHL goal in Saturday’s 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens and has settled in nicely alongside Borgen, showing a responsible defensive game. In more than 55 minutes together, the Robertson-Borgen duo leads all Rangers defensive pairings with a 64.9 expected goals percentage, per MoneyPuck.

Robertson and Borgen skated together Monday morning, so it appears Sullivan will keep that tandem intact, even with Soucy returning.

Vaakanainen appeared in each of the first seven games, but his ice time had diminished due to Robertson’s strong play. After averaging more than 17 minutes in the first three games of the season, the former No. 18 overall pick hasn’t skated more than 14:10 in any of the four subsequent games with Robertson in the lineup.

In Saturday’s victory, Vaakanainen skated a season-low 12:22 and got just four shifts in the third period.

To echo Peter a bit here: #NYR Vaakanainen got 4 shifts in the 3rd period, Robertson got 8.

Vaakanainen didn't see the ice for the final 5:47 of play.

Robertson got 2 shifts inside the final 5 minutes, including being out there from 1:16 to 48 seconds remaining in the game. https://t.co/RjjTXEDs9M

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 19, 2025

As long as Robertson continues to impress, it’s going to be tough for Vaakanainen to get back into the lineup, barring another injury.

2. Scott Morrow returns to the AHL​

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Rangers recalled Morrow after just one game with the Wolf Pack, wanting seven healthy defensemen available after a brief injury scare.

Borgen sustained a lower-body injury on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers and missed Wednesday’s practice. But he was in the lineup for Thursday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and played a season-high 20:45 on Saturday.

Morrow was a healthy scratch for both games, and with Soucy on track to return, the 22-year-old defenseman is headed back to Hartford, where he’ll play in all situations.

UPDATE: Scott Morrow has been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.

— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) October 20, 2025

While Borgen’s injury created a temporary need for a reserve right-handed defenseman, Morrow’s two-game stint with the Rangers was spent in the press box. The second-round pick (No. 40 overall) in 2021 has played 16 NHL regular-season games, 14 of them last season with the Carolina Hurricanes; he also played five playoff games for the ‘Canes in the 2025 playoffs. Still, some more seasoning in the AHL will likely be to his benefit.

Morrow’s offensive skills are evident — he earned an AHL All-Star nod in 2024-25 after scoring 13 goals and putting up 39 points in 52 games. But he’s less polished on the other end of the ice. The Florida Panthers exploited this during the postseason, where Morrow was minus-5.

Morrow may find himself back in the NHL if there’s another injury, but unless a right-handed defenseman goes down, his path to playing time for now is in Hartford.

3. Soucy with Will Borgen — or Braden Schneider?​

Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

After playing with Borgen before his injury, Soucy is expected to play with Schneider on the third pair. While that’s likely more of a testament to the quick chemistry between Borgen and Robertson on the second pair, it’s worth monitoring how loyal Sullivan will be to the lines he showcased during Monday’s morning skate.

Schneider has enjoyed a strong start to the season and Soucy figures to be an upgrade over Vaakanainen, so keeping that pair together could yield a stronger defensive rotation.

That said, Borgen and Soucy were very effective together during New York’s first win of the season — a 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres — sharing the ice for a pair of goals, one of which Soucy scored himself.

It’s hard to argue with the results Robertson and Borgen have enjoyed through four games, but if that changes, could Sullivan revert to a more-experienced second pair in which the 31-year-old Soucy replaces the 24-year-old Robertson? That likely hinges on Robertson’s more than anything else.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-analysis/adjustments-after-soucy-return

 

[New York Rangers]

Key takeaways after Rangers finally score, lose again at home, 3-1 to Wild

Though they finally scored their first goal on home ice this season, the New York Rangers remain winless at Madison Square Garden after a disappointing 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Monday.

The Rangers (3-4-1) were shut out in their first three home games and are now 0-4-0 at The Garden. They ended their home-ice scoring drought at 180 minutes, 57 seconds when Artemi Panarin hit the back of the net less than a minute into the game Monday.

It was a beauty of a goal, too. Each of the five Rangers skaters on the ice touched the puck at least once before Mika Zibanejad zipped a pass to Panarin, who wired his second goal of the season over Filip Gustavsson’s glove. The assist was Zibanejad’s first this season and his 341st with the Rangers, moving him past Steve Vickers for 10th all-time in franchise history.

Mika with the feed + Bread buries it. pic.twitter.com/rVIH63MrnN

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 20, 2025

A sigh of relief swept through MSG as the Rangers’ goal song blared over the sound system — finally. But it ultimately was replaced by more frustration.

Jonas Brodin scored the tying goal in the first period for the Wild, and 21-year-old rookie Danila Yurov scored his first NHL goal in the third period, which proved to be the game-winner. Kirill Kaprizov scored an empty-net goal, and Gustavsson finished with 23 saves, including a pair from point-blank range to rob Zibanejad twice in the third period.

Yet again, New York’s best player was Igor Shesterkin, who’s allowed two goals or fewer in each of his six starts this season but has a 2-3-1 record. He made 29 saves against the Wild (3-3-1), who ended a three-game skid and won for the first time (1-2-1) on their five-game road trip.

The Rangers’ first lead of the season on home ice lasted less than five minutes before the Wild tied the game. After a face-off win in the offensive zone, the Wild went to work and quickly got the puck to Brodin in the left circle. His shot deflected off the stick of Alexis Lafreniere, and changed speed and direction to slip past Shesterkin at 5:10.

ladies and gents, Jonas Brodin pic.twitter.com/IU29hpr62e

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 20, 2025

The Wild badly outplayed the Rangers the rest of the period. They outshot the Rangers 17-6, but more telling is that the Wild had 39 shot attempts to 12 for the home team. Scoring chances heavily favored the Wild (20-6), who had a whopping 84.02 percent expected goals share in the first period, per Natural Stat Trick.

Each of New York’s top three lines got pinned in their own end defending against the relentless Wild for shifts that extended past 90 seconds each. First it was Noah Laba and the third line midway through the period, then J.T. Miller’s line, then Zibanejad’s. The latter led to a Will Borgen delay of game penalty when the exhausted Rangers defenseman accidentally sent the puck over the glass and out of play at 15:11.

But the Rangers escaped the first period tied 1-1 — and they got better as the game progressed in the scoreless second period, when each team was credited with 11 shots on goal.

The Rangers came out flying in the third period, earned their first — and only — power play of the game, and recorded the first six shots on goal. But it was the Wild that broke through at 8:16, when Yurov pushed a loose puck over the goal line with Shesterkin on his back after stopping Marcus Johansson’s wraparound.

Danila Yurov buries his first NHL goal to give the @mnwild the lead! pic.twitter.com/9y7OPvgYv6

— NHL (@NHL) October 21, 2025

Kaprizov put this one away with a long-distance empty-net goal, with Shesterkin on the bench for an extra attacker, at 18:24. It was his team-leading fifth goal, and the fourth this season scored into an empty net against the Rangers.

Their next chance to pick up that elusive first win at MSG is Thursday, when the Rangers host the winless San Jose Sharks.

Key takeaways after Rangers remain winless at home, lose 3-1 to Wild​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Frustration bubbles over for Rangers stars​

Zibanejad had four shots on goal Monday, including a pair of Grade-A chances in the third period that could’ve — should’ve — been difference makers for the Rangers. He has two goals this season, neither at even strength. Yes, he’s frustrated, especially being asked the same questions after pretty much every game, certainly each home game to date.

“What else should I do more? I have to score. Yes, I understand that, but I’m getting the chances. I’d be more worried if we didn’t get any chances,” Zibanejad explained postgame. “It’s frustrating for us. It’s frustrating for me. How many looks did we have? Not just this game; just overall. I honestly don’t know what else to do.”

Miller, who led the Rangers with six shots on goal and has just two goals this season, also shared his frustration.

“I had two tonight that should have been in the back of that for me, like that game should have been 2-1,” the Rangers captain said. “We should have been playing with the lead, and I didn’t bury that. We just got to bear down.”

Bloodied but not broken​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Rangers had a couple injury scares in the second period, but nothing that turned out to be serious. First, Shesterkin appeared to have a slight cut or abrasion near his right eye after Kaprizov’s bad-angle shot from near the left corner struck him in the face mask at 3:20. In fact, part of the mask broke, and Shesterkin switched to his regular mask while the special centennial version was being fixed.

Shesterkin was checked out by the Rangers trainer and finished out another brilliant performance.

Looks like Igor neck shield shattered giving him a couple little cuts. He gets a new goalie mask. #NYR pic.twitter.com/ZuY05blyks

— David (@DaveyUpper) October 21, 2025

Rookie Noah Laba took a puck in the mouth when he blocked a shot during a penalty kill roughly three minutes after Shesterkin was shaken up. The 22-year-old blocked Vinnie Hinostroza’s shot, but the puck rode up his stick and hit him in the face. Bleeding badly, Laba needed help to get off the ice and back to the dressing room.

However, the rookie center returned to the bench with about five minutes to play in the second period, wearing a bubble mask to protect his swollen lips and injured face. Laba didn’t get back on the ice in the second, but did play three shifts — two of which were under 18 seconds apiece — in the third period.

Laba takes the puck to the face, he'll need some repairs #NYR pic.twitter.com/tlHEYMnL0i

— David (@DaveyUpper) October 21, 2025

“Yeah, that’s scary. Any time a player gets hit in the face like that, it’s really scary,” coach Mike Sullivan said after the game. “Fortunately, it wasn’t too serious. He got stitched up. The fact that he came back, I think, just speaks to his competitiveness, his toughness. But that was a scary moment, for sure.”

Carson Soucy returns to Rangers lineup​

Carson Soucy played 16 shifts and logged 10:20 TOI in his return to the lineup after the veteran defenseman missed four games with an upper-body injury. He partnered with Braden Schneider on the third pair. Matthew Robertson remained on the second pair with Borgen, which was Soucy’s spot before he was hurt.

Soucy had one shot on goal, a drive through traffic that was kicked out by Gustavsson, was credited with two hits, and blocked one shot. He was also on ice, protecting the slot, when Minnesota scored what became the game-winning goal in the third period.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/new-york-rangers-home-struggles-continue

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers NCAA prospects update: EJ Emery scores first 2 college goals

Though the New York Rangers were quite happy with his overall game as a freshman last season, EJ Emery failed to score a goal and recorded just one assist in 2024-25 for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. But the sophomore defenseman found the back of the net twice in a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday night. And he did so with fellow Blueshirts prospect Brody Lamb on the other side of the ice playing for Minnesota.

In the second period, with the Fighting Hawks trailing by a score of 2-1, Emery pinched in from the point, skated down to the right circle, and ripped a wrist shot past the Minnesota goaltender for his first NCAA goal.

Emery gets his first! #UNDproud | #LGH | @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/Q7X1uWLDa6

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) October 18, 2025

The Rangers top pick in the 2023 draft hadn’t scored in 938 days. But Emery then followed with the game-winning goal at 2:25 of the third period, when he skated into the open slot and finished a quality scoring chance, set up by Cole Reschny.

Goals so nice, EJ did it twice! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/qLRW2YyjXr

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) October 18, 2025

Emery was called for slashing at 13:37 of the third period, though North Dakota was able to successfully kill off the penalty. He scored two goals on three shots and had a plus-2 rating in the win. North Dakota dropped the second game of the weekend set 5-1 on Saturday. Emery recorded one shot on goal, had one blocked shot, and a minus-1 rating in the loss.

North Dakota remained eighth in both the USCHO Division I Men’s Poll and USA Hockey NCAA Division I Men’s Poll with the split. The Fighting Hawks have a 3-1-0 overall record, and head east to Potsdam, New York, to take on Clarkson in another non-conference matchup this weekend.

Lamb had a rough game Friday, when he was assessed two minor penalties and finished minus-2, despite recording two shots on goal and two blocked shots.

The Minnesota captain rebounded on Saturday with a three-point effort. Lamb recorded the primary assist on each of Minnesota’s first two goals, and then added one of his own in the third period, off a 2-on-1 rush.

The captain finds a way to extend the lead!

: FOX9+ / Midco Sports pic.twitter.com/7bIeb4ITDB

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) October 19, 2025

Through six games this season, Lamb has seven points (four goals, three assists). Minnesota climbed one spot this week in the USCHO poll to 12th, and rose two spots in the USA Hockey poll to 12th. The Golden Gophers have an overall record of 2-3-1 and host Minnesota Duluth for two games this weekend.

Rangers 2025 draft pick Sean Barnhill helps Michigan State rise to top of NCAA polls​

Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Freshman defenseman Sean Barnhill helped Michigan State sweep top-ranked Boston University. The Spartans defeated the Terriers by a score of 4-2 on Friday, before a wild 4-3 overtime victory on Saturday. Barnhill recorded one shot on goal, was plus-2 and took a minor penalty Friday night. The third-round pick (70th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft had one blocked shot and a minus-2 rating Saturday. Michigan State improved to 3-1-0 this season and grabbed the No. 1 ranking in the USCHO and USA Hockey polls. The Spartans hit the road this weekend for two games against the Northern Michigan Wildcats.

Defending national champion Western Michigan swept UMass-Lowell, 2-1 on Froday and 6-0 Saturday. Sophomore forward Ty Henricks was credited with an assist on Western Michigan’s first goal Friday, and called for an interference penalty in the third period. He had one blocked shot and an even rating for the game. Henricks was named First Star of the game Saturday, when he scored two goals, and totaled five shots on goal with one blocked shot and a plus-2 rating.

Henricks with back-to-back goals in the 2nd period pic.twitter.com/322Uz91LTF

— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) October 18, 2025

Through four games played, Henricks has two goals and one assist for three points. Western Michigan is ranked second in the USCHO poll as well as the USA Hockey poll. The Broncos are 3-1-0 and have a top-10 matchup on the road against the University of Michigan on Thursday night, before hosting the Wolverines at Lawson on Friday.

As for the University of Michigan, the Wolverines swept Robert Morris in non-conference play, winning 4-2 on Thursday, and coming away with a 10-2 victory Friday. Freshman Malcolm Spence recorded two shots on goal and a plus-1 rating in the first game of the series. The Rangers top pick (second round, 43rd overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft had one assist, three shots on goal, one blocked shot, and a plus-3 rating Friday. Through six games, Spence has three goals and six assists for nine points. Michigan improved to 6-0-0 and is ranked third in the USCHO and USA Hockey polls.

Skating against Michigan, sophomore defenseman Rasmus Larsson made his regular-season debut for Robert Morris University and was minus-1 in that 4-2 loss Thursday. Larsson was not in the lineup Friday night for the Colonials. Robert Morris next faces off against Notre Dame for two games this weekend.

Junior defenseman Drew Fortescue recorded one shot on goal and had a plus-2 rating for Boston College in a 5-1 victory over Rensselaer Friday night. Fortescue took a minor penalty for hooking in the first period, as well. Through four games, the 2023 third-round selection of the Rangers has two goals and one assist for three points. Boston College is ranked ninth in the USCHO and USA Hockey polls with a 2-1-1 record. BC takes on Denver this Friday.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/ej-emery-first-ncaa-goals

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers come together on Shanghai Dragons in KHL

A KHL team based in Shanghai, China, is just about the last place you’d expect to see a reunion of former New York Rangers. But that’s exactly what’s happening with the Shanghai Dragons, who boast four ex-Rangers players as well as former coach Gerard Gallant and assistant Mike Kelly.

Gallant, who coached the Rangers from 2021-23 with Kelly as one of his assistants, has two of his former players back with him — center Greg McKegg (2019-20 and 2021-22) and defenseman Ben Harpur (2022-23). The other ex-Rangers are defenseman Adam Clendening (2016-17) and center Ryan Spooner (2018). Harpur signed with Shanghai this week, and McKegg joined the team in early October and was scoreless Tuesday in his first game, a 7-6 shootout loss to Spartak.

Despite the loss, the Dragons are off to a good start, espite playing thousands of miles from their ostensible home city. The franchise, which entered the KHL as Kunlun Red Star in 2016, hasn’t played in China since 2019-20 due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in that country. The Dragons play their home games in St. Petersburg, Russia, this season but plan to return to Shanghai for 2026-27.

The Dragons sure know how to make a head coach announcement in style pic.twitter.com/4Y1EY3UXaY

— Uggg (@Uggg_uggg) August 13, 2025

It’s been a whirlwind couple of months for the 62-year-old coach. Gallant went to the KHL after he failed to draw any interest from NHL teams. He is 369-262-70 with four ties in an NHL career that has seen him coach the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights, as well as the Rangers. He won the Jack Adams Award as the top NHL coach in 2017-18, when he guided the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season.

“I’ve been out for two years … and nothing’s happened yet,” Gallant said in August on TSN 1050 in Toronto. “Am I a little pissed off? Yeah. But that’s the way it goes and you wait for your turn and your opportunities.

“So, I took this job. I’m going to Russia, going to St. Petersburg. I have a two-year contract and I’m going to honor that contract.”

Gallant’s .662 points percentage in his two full seasons is second-best in Rangers history, behind only Mike Keenan (.667), who coached them to the Stanley Cup championship in 1993-94, his lone season in New York. Keenan, who turned 76 on Tuesday, is also the first man to coach a Stanley Cup champion and a Gagarin Cup winner in the KHL (with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in 2014).

James Guillory-Imagn Images

In mid-August, Gallant agreed to a two-year contract, tasked with filling out a roster in less than six weeks and running a franchise that hasn’t made the Gagarin Cup Playoffs in eight years.

So far, so good. Despite the shootout loss to Spartak, the Dragons have won nine of their first 16 games and are tied for second in the Tarasov Division of the Western Conference. They are four points behind first-place Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, which has played two more games, and even with Severstal, which has played one more game but has 10 regulation wins to seven for Shanghai. The Dragons play their next game at Dinamo Minsk on Friday.

Rangers reunion takes place in KHL​

Clendening has been the most impactful of the former Rangers. He is tied for third in scoring among defensemen with 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in 16 games and averages 22:54 TOI.

This is his second season with the Dragons franchise; he had 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) for Kunlun last season. Clendening played 31 games for the Rangers in 2016-17, his only season in New York, finishing with 11 points (two goals, nine assists).

The Rangers, who signed him as a free agent, didn’t re-sign him. He had brief stints with the Arizona Coyotes in 2017-18 and Blues Jackets in 2018-19, then played with four AHL teams before joining Ilves of Liiga in Finland for the 2023-24 season and switching to the KHL last season.

Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Spooner, a 33-year-old center, was part of the package the Rangers received when they traded Rick Nash to the Boston Bruins on Feb. 20, 2018. He had 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) for the Rangers in the 20 remaining games that season. But after a slow start in 2018-19, Sponner was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for center Ryan Strome on Nov. 16, 2018.

He’s played with four teams since coming to the KHL in 2020. Spooner has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 15 games this season.

Andy Marlin-Imagn Images

The Rangers signed Harpur as a free agent on Oct. 27, 2022, and he had six points (one goal, five assists) in 42 regular-season games with them. He did not dress in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs and was injured much of the past two seasons with Hartford of the American Hockey League.

New York was also the last NHL stop for the 33-year-old McKegg, who had five points (two goals, three assists) in 43 games during his second stint with the Blueshirts in 2021-22. He also had five goals and nine points in 53 games in 2019-20 before signing with the Bruins as a free agent.

The Rangers did not re-sign him after his second stint on Broadway ended in the summer of 2023. He joined the Edmonton Oilers but spent the next two seasons with their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield before sitting out last season.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/shanghai-dragons-rangers-reunion-khl

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers coach eyes ‘another level’ for Alexis Lafreniere, Will Cuylle

The New York Rangers need much more from young top-six forwards Alexis Lafreniere and Will Cuylle, whose combined slow start mirrors that of the team.

Despite substantial minutes and opportunity, Lafreniere (one goal, one assist, averaging 18:19 TOI) and Cuylle (one goal; 17:29 TOI) have combined for two goals in the first eight games for the Rangers, who carry a disappointing 3-4-1 record into their home game against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night.

The scoring slump is a team-wide issue. The Rangers are 31st out of 32 teams in the League, averaging 2.00 goals for per game. Of their 16 goals, six were scored in a lopsided 6-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 11. They’ve scored a total of two goals in their five defeats, and one in four games at Madison Square Garden, where they are winless and have been shut out three times.

So, no, Cuylle and Lafreniere aren’t the only ones failing to produce. But they were the ones coach Mike Sullivan was asked about after practice Wednesday.

“I think there’s another level to their game,” Sullivan said simply.

Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

That’s an understatement. Cuylle, 23, scored 20 goals last season and is a top-six regular for the first time in three NHL seasons. Lafreniere, 24, scored 28 goals two seasons ago, but remains a mystery after he dropped to 17 in 2024-25.

Sullivan sees a fairly simple solution to their scoring struggles.

“Just encouraging them to get to the interior of the rink a little more, more of a mindset to get inside the dots, whether it be going to the net and staying at the net, or whether it be off the rush with a low-ice mindset, trying to drive pucks deep down below the circles,” Sullivan explained. “If you get a step on a guy, try to get inside. Essentially, the message to them is to get to the interior of the rink because that’s where the goals are scored.”

Lafreniere is sitting on a six-game pointless streak ahead of the game Thursday. He’s put up goose eggs since a two-point effort in a 4-0 road win against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 9. Cuylle scored his only goal in that 6-1 thrashing of the Penguins; he is pointless in five straight games.

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan demands better ‘execution … intensity’ at practice​

There were a few F-bombs dropped by Sullivan during practice Wednesday. And he was quite loud getting points across during group meetings on the ice as well.

Most of that was aimed at getting the Rangers to practice their special teams at a higher compete level.

“I just thought we could’ve done a better job with our execution and our intensity. We’re trying to get better on both sides of the special teams,” Sullivan explained. “Our penalty kill has to pay more attention to detail. They get an opportunity to get reps at it. They also have the chance to push our power play to be at its best. … We want our penalty kill to compete extremely hard against our power play, to push them to be at their very best. That was just part of the discussion.”

PP1. pic.twitter.com/XVOCnadT3X

— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) October 22, 2025

For the record, the Rangers’ penalty kill is seventh in the League (88.2 percent), after they were 3-for-3 against in a 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Monday night. New York has scored three power-play goals this season and ranks 26th in the NHL at 15.0 percent.

When asked if his final on-ice message Wednesday was directed at the special teams, Sullivan provided little information.

“No, that was different and we’ll keep that between the team.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-lafreniere-cuylle-scoring-struggles

 

[New York Rangers]

Popular Rangers forward leaves game against Sharks after 1st period fight

Matt Rempe left the the New York Rangers’ game against the San Jose Sharks at Madison Square Garden after a rousing first-period fight against Ryan Reaves. The Rangers announced at the start of the second period that the popular forward would not return to the game due to an upper-body injury.

Rempe was on the receiving end of several punches to his face and head during the spirited exchange of blows with Reaves just 5:55 into the opening period. Reaves knocked Rempe to the ice with one big right hand, but the rugged 23-year-old got right back up. The combatants finally were separated by the linesmen, with Rempe still punching Reaves on top of the head.

The Rangers announced Matt Rempe will not return to tonight’s game due to an upper body injury pic.twitter.com/vzjUrlcMg6

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 24, 2025

There’s a good chance that Rempe took this fight to help wake up his Rangers teammates and the crowd at MSG. The Rangers got off to a brutal start, allowing the winless Sharks to score less than two minutes into the game.

If so, that strategy didn’t exactly work out right away. The Sharks scored a power-play goal shortly after the fight and carried a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.

Rempe and Reaves have plenty of respect for one another. They also fought two seasons ago when the veteran enforcer played for the Toronto Maple Leafs. This time they exchanged smiles as they skated to their respective penalty box.

However, Rempe soon exited the penalty box before his five-minute major was over and skated to the Rangers dressing room. He didn’t play another shift.

Rempe’s played all nine games this season, and this was his first fight since March 25 of last season. In fact, he had only one minor penalty heading into action Thursday. That’s a far cry from his rookie season in 2023-24, when Rempe debuted in the NHL, took on all comers, and racked up 71 penalty minutes in 17 games.

He also served two suspensions, including one for eight games last season when he boarded and elbowed Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/matt-rempe-injured-fight-ryan-reaves

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers Daily: Blueshirts turn the page; Early NHL trade candidates

When the New York Rangers board their charter flight to Calgary on Friday, they’ll carry the baggage of a sloppy 6-5 OT loss to the San Jose Sharks from the previous night, as well as an 0-4-1 winless record on home ice at Madison Square Garden.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be laughter and jokes during the flight. Nor will the card table be empty.

The players and coaches aren’t happy about what happened Thursday night, nor with their struggles at MSG. But this is a business, their business. And the Rangers understand that sitting silently for four hours in the airplane cabin isn’t the answer to their troubles.

Now, that doesn’t mean a party will break out mid-flight. But professional athletes and their coaches know the importance of turning the page over the course of an exceedingly long season. Be true to who you are, win or lose. “Not too high, not too low” sounds like a cliche, but it’s their reality.

It’s different when you’re a fan. Emotions typically run like a roller coaster. You have zero control over what happens. Nights like Thursday at The Garden drive you bonkers.

But players and coaches need to re-set quickly. Don’t ignore what happened previously; learn from it and move on. There’s another game to play, in this case another important road trip ahead.

Hey, the bright side here is that the Rangers are Road Warriors, have been for years. They’re 3-0-1 off-Broadway this season. And the woeful Flames await them to start that road trip Sunday night.

Of course, the woeful Sharks were there for the taking Thursday, and that didn’t go so well for the Rangers. But we digress.

You may not like that it’s business as usual for the Rangers on Friday after that unacceptable loss less than 24 hours ago. But that’s how professional sports works.

New York Rangers news and analysis​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Here are our key Rangers takeaways, including an unacceptable mindset, from the overtime loss to the Sharks.

Our John Kreiser weighs in and agrees with coach Mike Sullivan, who said postgame that the Rangers “have to learn how to win.”

Matt Rempe’s being evaluated for an upper-body injury after his first fight of the season, a rousing heavyweight tilt with former Rangers forward Ryan Reaves.

To trade or not to trade Brennan Othmann? That is the question Jonny Lazarus tried to help answer for us and the Rangers.

Before the game, Sullivan explained why he’s not concerned about the ups and downs in the play of rookie center Noah Laba.

The Rangers signed another towering prospect Thursday, agreeing to terms with 2024 draft pick Nathan Aspinall on an entry-level contract.

Here’s a dose of good news: Rangers prospects Dylan Garand and Bryce McConnell-Barker stood out in helping the Hartford Wolf Pack win their first game of the new AHL season.

NHL news and rumors​

Brett Holmes-Imagn Images

Sportsnaut: Marc Dumont’s got the latest from the Montreal Canadiens after Cole Caufield sarcastically called out the referees following a 6-5 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

The Athletic ($$): Chris Johnston breaks down an early top-10 trade candidates list in the NHL, headed by Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson.

NHL.com: Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk told reporters that he’s already skating, six days after he had thumb surgery, and hopes to be stickhandling again in 3-4 weeks.

Sportsnet: Morgan Rielly may miss the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game Friday against the Buffalo Sabres after the defenseman didn’t practice Thursday. All coach Craig Berube said was that Rielly is “dealing with something.”

TSN: That news came on the heels of the Maple Leafs placing veteran defenseman Chris Tanev on IR with an upper-body injury.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan Kingerski reports that the Pittsburgh Penguins are gaining respect around the League for their overall play and early-season success under new coach Dan Muse.

Sportsnet: The struggling Oilers could get forward Zach Hyman back in the lineup sometime in early November, per coach Kris Knoblauch. Hyman is still recovering from offseason wrist surgery.

NHL.com: From coach Marco Sturm and all the way through the lineup, the Boston Bruins said they are “embarrassed” by their six-game losing streak, following a 7-5 loss to the Anaheim Ducks at home Thursday.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Zach Berman breaks down how the red-hot New Jersey Devils can manage the inevitable challenges that await them this season.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/turn-page-nhl-trade-candidates

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers star returning to NHL in Hockey Ops department

Brendan Shanahan, whose Hall of Fame career included two seasons with the New York Rangers, is joining the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Thursday that Shanahan is set to take the job following 11 years as the president and alternate governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who did not renew his contract following a second-round playoff loss to the Florida Panthers in May. His tenure ended with just two playoff series victories by the Maple Leafs, who have not won the Stanley Cup or even made the Final since their last championship in 1967 – the final season of the NHL’s Original Six.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to Postmedia on Friday that Shanahan will be taking a position with the Hockey Ops department.

James Guillory-Imagn Images

It’s his second hitch with the NHL; he worked for the league from 2009, when he retired as a player, to 2014, when he joined the Leafs. Shanahan initially worked in NHL business development, then replaced Colin Campbell as senior vice president of player safety in June 2011 to help police the game based on his vast experience as a scorer and scrapper.

“We are excited to have him back,” Daly told Postmedia via email. “We understand that this may not be where he stays long-term, but Shanny’s overall level of hockey knowledge and experience is hard to duplicate and will clearly add value.”

Shanahan will spend time in the NHL’s New York and offices, according to Dreger. “He’ll also attend general manager meetings, board meetings, no question about that, in an advisory capacity, another experienced voice as part of that process.”

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Shanahan was nearly 37 when he signed with the Rangers as a free agent on July 8, 2006. But he showed he had plenty left in the tank by scoring 29 goals and finishing with 62 points in 67 games. He also had his final NHL hat trick with the Rangers against the New York Islanders on Dec. 3, 2006.

In the spring of 2007, Shanahan also had five goals and seven points in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games, helping the Rangers win a series for the first time since 1997.

His offensive numbers dropped to 23 goals and 46 points in 2007-08; he had one goal and five points in 10 playoff games.

Brendan Shanahan rejoining NHL in Hockey Ops department​

He finished his playing career with the New Jersey Devils in 2008-09 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013. Shanahan won the Cup three times with the Detroit Red Wings and finished his career with 656 goals and 1,354 points in 1,524 games. He is 14th all-time in goals, 28th in points and 20th in games played. He’s the only player in league history with more than 600 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes, and he was named as one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players in 2017,

With the Leafs, Shanahan oversaw the hiring of coaches Mike Babcock, Sheldon Keefe and Craig Berube, as well as general managers Lou Lamoriello, Kyle Dubas, and Brad Treliving.

Under Shanahan, the Maple Leafs reached the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons (2016-25), the longest active streak in the NHL. However, their continuing playoff struggles eventually cost him his job; he was informed in late May that he would not be retained when his contract expired at the end of June. The announcement came a few days after the Leafs were steamrolled 6-1 at home by the Panthers in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series.

“While I am proud of the rebuild we embarked on starting in 2014, ultimately, I came here to help win the Stanley Cup, and we did not,” Shanahan said after the decision to let him go was announced. “There is nothing more I wanted to deliver to our fans, and my biggest regret is that we could not finish the job.”

Following his departure, the Maple Leafs granted the Islanders permission to speak with Shanahan on possibly taking a role with their front office. But he wasn’t hired and Mathieu Darche was named general manager and executive vice president.

NHL "excited" to have ex-Leaf boss Brendan Shanahan rejoining office https://t.co/4MQuIDCinH pic.twitter.com/UkdeErDU6U

— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) October 24, 2025

Dreger also noted that despite his new role, Shanahan could make a move to an NHL front office in the future.

“But I also believe he’s following a path that Ken Holland went down not that long ago as well en route to becoming the general manager of the Los Angeles Kings,” he said. “So, if an opportunity presents, whereby a team decides it’s going to make a significant change atop its hockey department, I would suggest that Brendan Shanahan would be a leading candidate for a job like that as well.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/shanahan-rejoining-nhl-hockey-ops

 

[New York Rangers]

‘Encouraging progress’ for ex-Rangers center Filip Chytil after latest injury

It doesn’t sound like Filip Chytil will play anytime soon for the Vancouver Canucks, but the former New York Rangers center is making positive strides after his latest scary injury.

Chytil hasn’t played since he was leveled by a Tom Wilson open-ice hit in the first period of Vancouver’s 4-3 road win against the Washington Capitals this past Sunday. The 26-year-old is on injured reserve with an unspecified issue. However, with his lengthy history of concussions, another head injury is feared.

“Obviously, [we’re going] through the protocols here. He’s been home [in Vancouver]. He left with our doctor from Washington on Monday, so he’s making progress, but obviously [has] not cleared,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin explained Friday. “You’ve gotta’ go through all the stages here [with] where he is, but it’s been some encouraging progress here.”

Chytil’s next game in the NHL will be his 400th. He has three goals in six games with the Canucks this season.

Tom Wilson lays a heavy hit on Filip Chytil.

Chytil went to the dressing room, and after review, there was no penalty on the play. pic.twitter.com/PticaE7LUo

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 19, 2025

This is the second IR stint for Chytil since the Canucks acquired him Jan. 31 in the J.T. Miller trade with the Rangers. Chytil sustained a concussion in mid-March after Jason Dickinson checked him from behind in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Though he skated with the team late in the season, Chytil didn’t play another game in 2024-25. However, Chytil was upbeat and cautiously optimistic heading into this season following a healthy summer back home in Czechia.

“Knock on wood, I feel very good and feel very positive,” Chytil told the 100% Canucks Podcast.

These latest health issues, of course, follow a slew of head injuries he sustained in eight seasons playing for the Rangers. That includes 2023-24, when he was limited to 10 regular-season games due to a concussion and a relapse during his recovery.

Canucks acquire Lukas Reichel with ex-Rangers center Filip Chytil sidelined​

Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

With Chytil out indefinitely, and Teddy Blueger week to week with an unspecified injury, the Canucks acquired Lukas Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

Allvin explained that Reichel could get a look at center with Chytil and Blueger out, though he’s almost exclusively played on the wing in 174 NHL games with the Blackhawks. The 22-year-old has four points (two goals, two assists) in five games this season, and set career highs in goals (eight), assists (14), points (22), and game played (70) last season.

The Canucks are 4-4-0 this season, heading into a home game Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens. With the injuries, the Canucks have been very thin down the middle behind No. 1 center Elias Pettersson.

Vancouver needs more from Pettersson, who’s scored just one goal in eight games this season. The Canucks are tied for 25th in the NHL, averaging 2.63 goals for per game.

The Rangers visit the Canucks on Tuesday, as part of their current four-game road trip.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...couraging-progress-filip-chytil-injury-update

 

[New York Rangers]

Big night for Gabe Perreault, Rangers prospects in 6-3 Hartford win

Gabe Perreault recorded his first professional multi-point game, and was one of several New York Rangers prospects to stand out in a 6-3 win for Hartford of the American Hockey League on Saturday.

Perreault, New York’s first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, scored his second goal in six games and added a power-play assist against Springfield on Saturday. After opening the AHL season with an assist in his first game and a goal in his second, Perreault was scoreless in three straight outings before his multi-point effort on the road in Springfield.

The 20-year-old handed the puck off to Brett Berard on a first-period power play Saturday, and picked up an assist when Berard wired a shot home from between the circles to tie the game 1-1 at 16:15.

Beebs' first of the season ⤵ pic.twitter.com/Rh8aJAZAtd

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) October 25, 2025

It was a significant goal for Berard because it was his first of the season, after the disappointment of being the final cut at Rangers training camp. The 23-year-old played 35 games with the Rangers last season, and totaled 10 points (six goals, four assists). Berard led Hartford with 25 goals as a rookie pro in 2023-24.

Top defenseman prospect Scott Morrow also assisted on that goal, his first point with Hartford after the Rangers acquired him from the Carolina Hurricanes in the K’Andre Miller trade on July 1.

That goal set off an offensive explosion for the Wolf Pack, who scored five straight goals in a span of 6:11, bridging the first and second periods. The last of the goals was scored by Perreault at 2:26 of the second.

Perreault got to the net front and deflected a Justin Dowling shot into the cage, despite being surrounded by three defenders. Impressively, each of Perreault’s goals thus far came on deflections, with the slight youngster more than willing to go to the dirty areas and not just remain on the perimeter.

GABE GOAL
GABE GOAL
GABE GOAL
GABE GOAL
GABE GOAL pic.twitter.com/PLiuuydTsN

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) October 25, 2025

The former Boston College star, who was scoreless in five games with the Rangers last spring, recorded three of Hartford’s 35 shots on goal Saturday, and earned Third Star honors.

Gabe Perreault not only Rangers prospect to stand out in Hartford win​

Bryce McConnell-Barker Photo Courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

Perreault is tied for the Wolf Pack lead with four points in six games, along with second-year pro Bryce McConnell-Barker. New York’s third-round pick in the 2002 draft, McConnell-Barker also has four points (two goals, two assists), after the forward notched a goal and an assist against Springfield. He picked u peach of those four points in the past four games.

McConnell-Barker was credited with a goal at 7:55 of the second period, when his centering pass off a 3-on-2 rush deflected off a Springfield defenseman and into the net. The 21-year-old tied for the team lead with four shots on goal and was named the game’s First Star.

BMB pic.twitter.com/vZwwyjbO7Z

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) October 25, 2025

Defenseman Jackson Dorrington continued his strong play with an assist on Perreault’s goal, four shots on goal, a plus-4 rating, and a fight with Springfield’s Dylan Peterson in the third period. The Rangers acquired the rugged 21-year-old, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 216 pounds, from the Vancouver Canucks in the J.T. Miller trade on Jan. 31.

Carey Terrance scored his second goal in three games, and Brendan Brisson potted his first of the season for Hartford. Defenseman Blake Hillman had a goal and an assist, and goalie Dylan Garand stopped 12 of 15 shots.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/wolf-pack-gabe-perreault-multi-point-game

 

[New York Rangers]

Noah Laba 1st NHL goal not enough, Rangers lose 5-1 to Flames: key takeaways

Not even Noah Laba’s timely first NHL goal was enough to shake the New York Rangers out of their recent doldrums Sunday night, when they opened a four-game road trip with a 5-1 loss to the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The 22-year-old rookie scored on the very next shift after the Flames increased their lead to 2-0 in the first period. Instead of building momentum, the Rangers surrendered the next three goals and lost to one of the League’s bottom feeders yet again.

Even with the win, the Flames (2-7-1) are last in the NHL. They entered play winless in their previous eight games (0-7-1). But the League’s lowest-scoring team never trailed against the Rangers, who lost 6-5 in overtime to the woeful San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

The Rangers (3-5-2) are winless in their past three games overall (0-2-1) and lost for the first time in regulation on the road this season (3-1-1).

Flames goalie Dustin Wolf shut down the Rangers with 30 saves Sunday. Blake Coleman scored two goals and now leads the Flames with five this season. Nazem Kadri had a goal and an assist; Kevin Bahl and Yegor Sharangovich also scored for Calgary.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dustin Wolf! pic.twitter.com/F9CzC1d6qv

— Sportsnet 960 (@Sportsnet960) October 27, 2025

Igor Shesterkin allowed five goals on 30 shots for New York.

For the seventh time in 10 games this season, the Rangers allowed the first goal. And in what’s becoming a recurring issue, the Rangers again started slowly and fell behind within the first couple minutes of play.

“We were champing at the bit to get going,” Rangers captain J.T. Miller said postgame. “It’s so frustrating to come out flat on the road.”

Kadri wired his second goal of the season over Shesterkin’s glove just 1:42 into play. And the Flames doubled their lead at 9:21, when Bahl’s shot from the blue line found its way past Shesterkin glove-side to make it 2-0 Calgary.

Shesterkin threw his arms up in frustration after the red light went on, apparently frustrated that his own teammate, Alexis Lafreniere, screened him on the shot.

Laba, though, injected some life back into the Rangers by scoring his first NHL goal just 10 seconds later. Will Cuylle drew two Flames to him and then chipped the puck off the boards and over the blue line. Laba swooped in to collect it, before skating toward the net and beating Wolf over the glove with a pretty forehand finish at 9:31.

Noah Laba gets the Rangers on the board with his first NHL goal pic.twitter.com/FZDgLpm2eC

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 27, 2025

There wasn’t much more offensive push by the Rangers in the first period. They were outshot 12-5 and out-attempted 32-16. The visitors were credited four high-danger chances in the opening 20 minutes, per Natural Stat Trick. However the best of those was a break-in by Miller, who’s shot sailed over the net, after a terrible Calgary turnover at its own blue line

The Rangers had some Grade-A chances in the second period, but Wolf was up to the challenge. The Flames goalie stoned Laba’s 1-on-1 backhand try after a takeaway early in the period, and later robbed Mika Zibanejad near the midpoint with an athletic left-pad save, after the Rangers center sprung out of the penalty box and had a clear breakaway.

Dustin Wolf denies Mika Zibanejad pic.twitter.com/wDQ8CdNukD

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 27, 2025

Wolf then made the save of the night at 16:22, diving to his right to somehow get his arm on Lafreniere’s wide-open opportunity.

The Flames scored the only goal of the second period at 12:28, when the Rangers didn’t properly pick up Sharangovich skating down the middle. He banged a shot off Shesterkin and in for his first goal of the season, extending Calgary’s lead to 3-1.

Coleman buried a give-and-go feed from Mikael Backlund for a short-handed goal 6:22 into the third period to make it 4-1. It was the first shortie surrendered by the Rangers this season. A second nearly was scored against them roughly one minute later, but Joel Farabee rang his short-handed shot off the post after the Flames stormed Shesterkin on a clear 2-on-0 break.

Coleman scored his second goal of the night when his shot deflected off Lafreniere’s back and past Shesterkin at 14:27.

The Rangers look to get on track Tuesday, when the road trip continues in Vancouver with a game against the Canucks.

Key takeaways from Rangers’ sloppy 5-1 loss to Flames​

Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

1. Night to remember for Noah Laba​

Not only did Laba score his first NHL goal, he logged a career-high (in 10 games) 14:19 TOI, and was New York’s best forward Sunday. And he accomplished this after a recent downturn in his game that led to fewer shifts and less ice time, that coach Mike Sullivan explained as the natural “rollercoaster ride” for a rookie in the NHL.

Perhaps energized by his goal, Laba was flying Sunday. Skating fast and with purpose, Laba got in the forecheck, won a slew of puck battles, had another great scoring chance, and led a 3-on-2 rush which led to a scoring chance for Brennan Othmann in the second period.

And his goal? It was a beaut.

“A little bit of a shock,” Laba said on MSG during the first intermission. “I didn’t know what to do (after scoring).”

2. Mixed bag for Brennan Othmann in season debut​

Othmann was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League and drew into the Rangers lineup with Matt Rempe sidelined by an upper-body injury. The 22-year-old skated on the third line, centered by Laba and with Cuylle on the other wing. Though he didn’t stand out, Othmann wasn’t bad by any means.

He could’ve helped his cause had he not badly missed the net on a glorious scoring chance in the second period. The puckk found Othmann all alone in front, and he was 1-on-1 against Wolf before misfiring. Othmann ended up with one shot on goal, two shot attempts, and two hits.

Othmann was tagged with a minus on his first shift of the season, though hardly at fault when Kadri scored. He also went hard to the net to be an option, when Laba instead chose to shoot, and subsequently score, in the first period. And he received another minus on a complete five-man fail when Sharangovich scored in the second period.

3. Sloppy play and missed chances prove costly for Rangers​

The Rangers began this season so defensively sound. But they were really sloppy Sunday, continuing a recent trend that’s reminiscent of how they played defensively much of last season. The compete level appears to be there. The execution is not. And that includes on the offensive side of the puck, where, again, the Rangers could hardly buy a goal against Wolf.

Blake Coleman scores a shorty to give the Flames some extra cushion pic.twitter.com/dgcgbm0mBI

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 27, 2025

A pair of missed chances at one end of the rink stood out when the Flames came back the other way to score immediately afterward. The first was when Othmann missed badly on his open look, and roughly 10 seconds later Sharangovich scored. Instead of possibly being tied 2-2, the Rangers were down 3-1.

Then in the third period, the Rangers not only failed on their only power play of the night, but surrendered a short-handed goal. And seconds before surrendering that goal, Lafreniere could’ve drawn a hooking call against Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, and then Zibanejad whiffed on a point-blank shot, sending Coleman and Backlund out the other way on the fateful 2-on-1.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-loss-flames-laba-first-goal

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers Week Ahead: J.T. Miller faces emotional return to Vancouver

J.T. Miller‘s return to Vancouver highlights an important week for the struggling New York Rangers. And perhaps seeing their captain back in Vancouver for the first time since the Canucks traded him to the Rangers on Jan. 31 will get their juices flowing a bit more as they try to end a three-game skid (0-2-1).

Of course, it’s hard to predict with these Rangers. Things looked promising heading into last week, when their three games included a home contest against a team that had lost three in a row, another home game against the League’s only winless team, and a road game against an opponent that was 0-7-1 after a shootout win on opening night.

Be honest: You were thinking anything less than two wins would be horrible, and expecting three victories didn’t appear to be asking too much.

Think again.

Instead, the Rangers headed for Western Canada after losing 3-1 at home to the Minnesota Wild, then dropping a 6-5 overtime decision to the San Jose Sharks.

But the 5-1 loss to the woeful Calgary Flames on Sunday was the low point of a bad week. Dustin Wolf outplayed Igor Shesterkin and Noah Laba’s first NHL goal was the lone highlight on a night when the Rangers started out flat and never recovered — leaving Miller unhappy, to say the least.

“There’s no excuses to come up flat,” he said. “This is not fun right now. We need to correct the starts. I think it’s becoming like the trend now, so we need to fix this now, on this trip. I mean, it’s a hard road trip, so we got to be ready to go to start the game.”

Laba’s first NHL goal = a beauty. pic.twitter.com/dq15lZVrpN

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 27, 2025

Miller will make his return to Vancouver on Tuesday, nearly nine months to the day that they traded him to the Rangers. Maybe a visit to his old stomping grounds will help him find his own scoring touch — Miller has six points (two goals, four assists) and is minus-4 in 10 games. For a player who’s averaged more than a point a game since 2019-20 and had 103 points in 2023-24, more is expected.

Who’s hot​

Taylor Raddysh was the biggest reason the Rangers got even one point last week. The veteran bottom-six forward had one goal in his first eight games with the Rangers, before scoring three times in the loss to the Sharks, including the one that forced overtime and got New York a point in the standings. Hard as it is to believe, Raddysh leads the Rangers with four goals, and has one of their two short-handed tallies.

Who’s not​

It was another lost week for Alexis Lafreniere, who had an assist against the Sharks but hasn’t scored a goal since Oct. 9, the second game of the season. He’s also a team-worst minus-10 that included back-to-back minus-3s against the Sharks and Flames. Lafreniere looks completely lost and saw his ice time cut in Calgary; he played just 16:04 — 2:20 less than he averaged entering the game.

Rangers lookahead this week includes …​

Miller’s homecoming during the first of two games in Western Canada before a Saturday night visit to Seattle.

Rangers at Vancouver Canucks (Oct. 28, 10 p.m. ET; MSG)​

Miller has five goals in 10 career games against the Canucks, including a goal and an assist when the Rangers defeated them 5-3 on March 22 at Madison Square Garden. He played the better part of six seasons with them, scored 30 goals or more three times, and had his three most productive seasons with 103, 99, and 82 points.

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

He was still with the Canucks when the Rangers hit their high point of last season, a 4-3 win at Rogers Arena last Nov. 19 that gave them a 12-4-1 record through 17 games. Things quickly went downhill from there, with a 4-15-0 collapse through the end of calendar year 2024 putting them in a hole they never climbed out of.

New York has won its past three visits to Vancouver and five of six meetings overall since the start of the 2022-23 season. The Canucks have never fared well against the Rangers, who are 86-37-2 with eight ties overall and 41-20-3 with one tie in Vancouver. Of course, that doesn’t include their only playoff meeting in 1994 — a series Rangers fans will never forget.

Since Shesterkin played all three games last week, don’t be surprised if Jonathan Quick gets the start in this one. His 20-20-4 record against the Canucks belies a 2.10 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. Shesterkin is 5-1-1 against Vancouver despite a 3.39 GAA and .886 save percentage. Go figure.

Rangers at Edmonton Oilers (Oct. 30, 9 p.m.; MSG)​

The Rangers and Oilers complete their season series on the night before Halloween. New York looks to avenge a 2-0 loss to Edmonton at MSG 16 days earlier. The Rangers dominated play all night but couldn’t get a puck past Stuart Skinner, who stopped all 30 shots he faced.

EMPIRE STATE OF GRIND

The #Oilers defeat the Rangers 2-0 at MSG. @sentinelstorage | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/nftfdX4xYQ

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 15, 2025

Perhaps the most frustrating thing that night was that the Rangers limited the high-powered Oilers to just one goal before Edmonton hit the empty net. The Rangers shut down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, outshot the Oilers 30-22 and had by far the better scoring chances. All they got for their effort was the dubious distinction of being the first team in NHL history to be shut out in each of its first three home games.

Shesterkin is 1-3-0 against the Oilers with a 3.00 GAA and .886 save percentage. However, the Rangers actually have a winning record in Edmonton – they are 20-16-3 with three ties despite a 6-2 blowout loss last Nov. 23.

Rangers at Seattle Kraken (Nov. 1, 10 p.m. MSG)​

Few opponents have been as successful against the League’s newest team as the Rangers, who are 6-1-1 all-time against the Kraken and 3-0-1 at Climate Pledge Arena. That includes a 2-0 win in Seattle last Nov. 17. But the Kraken got some revenge with a 7-5 win three weeks later, another lowlight in the Rangers collapse of 2024-25

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Little was expected from the Kraken this season after two straight non-playoff seasons, but they’re off to a 5-2-2 start under former Islanders coach Lane Lambert. The biggest reason for their early-season success is the play of goaltender Joey Daccord, who has all five wins (5-1-1) with a 2.48 GAA and a .915 save percentage.

Shesterkin is 4-0-1 against the Kraken, including the shutout last season Artemi Panarin (two goals, seven assists) and Mika Zibanejad (three goals, six assists) each has nine points in eight games against them.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/jt-miller-vancouver-return-week-ahead