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[New York Rangers]

Rangers have 3 percent chance of winning No. 1 pick at 2025 NHL Draft Lottery on May 5

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers hope that some recent luck continues when they take part in the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery next Monday, May 5.

No, the Rangers didn’t have much luck this season. In fact, that’s partly why they’re in the draft lottery. The Rangers (39-36-7) missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and became just the fourth team in NHL history to win the Presidents’ Trophy one season and fail to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs the following year.

But they’ve recently aced the draft lottery, and perhaps more luck will shine on them Monday.

Though the Rangers only have a three percent chance to win the lottery and earn the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, they did have success in the 2019 and 2020 draft lotteries. In 2019 they selected forward Kaapo Kakko with the No. 2 overall pick after moving up four spots in the lottery. The following year, the Rangers won the draft lottery after finishing 18th in the League and selected forward Alexis Lafreniere No. 1 overall.

Since the Rangers finished with the 11th worst record in the NHL this season, they have a shot at the No. 1 pick. NHL Draft Lottery rules state that a team can only move up 10 spots in the lottery, and back two two spots. So, the Rangers could end up with the No. 13 overall pick, too.

If they don’t win the lottery, the Rangers must decide if they want to hold on to their 2025 first-round pick or turn it over to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers traded this pick to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31 when they acquired J.T. Miller. The Canucks then flipped it to the Penguins in a deal for defenseman Marcus Pettersson.

Since the pick is top-13 protected, the Rangers can keep it this season and then send an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Penguins, or give this year’s pick to Pittsburgh and retain their 2026 selection in the first round.

The Rangers have until 48 hours before the draft on June 27 to inform the Penguins of their decision.

Related: Trade or sign him? Rangers have massive K’Andre Miller decision to make

Rangers have lowest odds to win 2025 NHL Draft lottery​

Mathew Schafer – GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The San Jose Sharks have the best odds to win the lottery at 18.5 percent. They were in the same exact position last year, won the lottery and selected forward Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 overall pick. Celebrini was second among all NHL rookies with 25 goals this season and tied for second with 63 points.

Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman with Erie in the OHL, is projected by many to be the top pick in this year’s draft. Forwards James Hagens (Boston College) and Michael Misa (Saginaw) are also in the mix.

The Chicago Blackhawks (13.5 percent), who won the lottery and chose center Connor Bedard with the No. 1 selection in 2023, have the second best odds this year. The Nashville Predators (11.5 percent) own the next best odds.

The lottery on Monday will set the draft order for the first 16 picks in the draft. It will be aired on ESPN at a time to be determined.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...nce-win-number-1-pick-2025-nhl-draft-lottery/

 

[New York Rangers]

Zac Jones eyes uncertain Rangers future, looks to improve ‘whether I’m here or somewhere else’

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury has a slew of decisions to make when putting together a roster for the 2025-26 season and making sure the Blueshirts return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after this miserable season.

One will be deciding the fate of Zac Jones, who is due for a new contract, but may not want one in New York after once again struggling to be a lineup regular with the Rangers. The 24-year-old defenseman has played all or parts of five seasons with the Rangers, and this season appeared in a career-high 46 games, well short of the total he sought entering the 2024-25 campaign.

Jones is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this offseason. He could re-sign with the Rangers, go to arbitration (never a fun process) and remain with the team, or be traded. At break-up day last week, Jones claimed not to be concerned about what comes next or where he will play next season.

“Whatever happens this summer with contracts, whether I’m here or somewhere else, I’m going to give my best,” Jones said. “I love to be here, I love the New York Rangers organization, and we’ll see what happens this summer. I’m not focused on a role or anything like that. I’m just focusing on myself this summer and working on things I think I need to improve on.”

#NYR Zac Jones doing it on both ends of the ice.pic.twitter.com/z6T5Tcygo3

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) March 6, 2025

Perhaps a new coach will give Jones the playing time he feels that he deserves. The Rangers are in the process of looking for Peter Laviolette’s successor now. But that doesn’t guarantee anything for Jones, who’s seen plenty of coaches come and go throughout his Rangers tenure.

“It’s a new opportunity,” he explained. “I’ve been here now for [five] years and this would be our fourth head coach, so I can’t say I haven’t had the opportunity to prove new coaches right or wrong. Whether it’s here or somewhere else, just getting back to my game.”

Clearly, Jones is open to the idea of playing elsewhere when the puck drops on the 2025-26 season. The bottom line is that he just wants to play, no matter where that may be.

Related: Massive Rangers opportunity after Mike Sullivan leaves Penguins, becomes option as coach

Zac Jones admits he ‘lost the offensive game a little bit’ with Rangers this season​

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jones began the season on the third defense pair, then lost playing time to rookie Victor Mancini. Jones reestablished himself in the top six only to be supplanted by a group of incoming defensemen like Urho Vaakanainen, Calvin de Haan and Carson Soucy following a flurry of trades.

When Adam Fox went down with an injury in late February, Zones stepped back into the lineup and largely played well. Jones finished the season with an NHL career-high 11 points, that included a career-best 10 assists.

“I thought there were some good parts of the year,” Jones stated. “When I had some consistent time, I thought I played well. I thought my defensive game was a lot better this year as opposed to years prior. I lost the offensive game a little bit, but that’s something that this summer I’m really going to try and focus on and get back to.”

Per Natural Stat Trick, Jones was on ice for 157 high-danger scoring chances against and just 118 for, and the Rangers expected goals 5v5 was 47.79 percent when he was on the ice.

However, consistent playing time was the big issue for Jones, who made his frustration known in an outburst to the media during an extended stretch out of the lineup this season. It was a major struggle for Jones, who has stayed mostly optimistic throughout his time in the organization, but told reporters in January, “I just feel like I’m rotting away a little bit.”

That’s something Drury will have to think about this offseason when deciding what to do with Jones, who is plenty self-aware that his game does need some work. As an offensive defenseman, he hasn’t really produced much offense when given the chance. That’ll have to change, especially if he wants the playing time he feels he deserves.

“Bounces, sometimes maybe overcomplicating it a little bit, not making the simple plays,” Jones said about his lack of production. “A big thing for me is, I’m an offensive defenseman. I’ve got to put up points in this league to stay in this league. Me putting up 11 points this year isn’t good enough, personally.”

Let’s see if he gets the chance to improve with the Rangers or in another city next season.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...n-rangers-future-whether-here-somewhere-else/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why trading for Mario Ferraro makes sense for Rangers

Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesDarren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Regardless of their plan for K’Andre Miller this offseason, the New York Rangers likely will look into upgrading the left side of their defense corps. In particular, there’s a need to improve the top four as well as add someone who can provide leadership to a team that sorely lacked in that area this season.

With only so much salary-cap room and several key restricted free agents — like Miller — to take care of, it’s more than possible that going the trade route becomes the best course of action for Rangers general manager Chris Drury.

Nothing should be off the table, but there’s reason to believe that if Miller, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, can be retained at a reasonable cost, Carson Soucy is expendable. Assuming Zac Jones is not in the plans for regular duty — again — next season, he’s expendable, as well.

No doubt, Drury’s phone will be active this offseason. As teams get eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, more trade opportunities are sure to present themselves.

For example, after their first-round flameout against the Florida Panthers, will the Tampa Bay Lightning entertain trading Ryan McDonagh? The former Rangers captain is 35 now but has only one season left on his contract — though at a $6.75 million salary-cap hit.

Think it through. McDonagh can still play, coming off a solid season with the Lightning, and is an experienced leader and two-time Stanley Cup champion. Plus, he enjoyed his years in New York. Does Tampa Bay — in a serious cap crunch themselves — say no to a package of Soucy, a prospect like Adam Sykora and a draft pick? Could the Rangers land McDonagh for less?

Or maybe the Lightning would have more interest in Jones than Soucy — an affordable young puck-moving defenseman? It’s worth making that call to Lightning GM Julien BriseBois to find out.

But perhaps a better option is for the Rangers to contact the San Jose Sharks and look into a possible trade for Mario Ferraro.

Related: Trade or sign him? Rangers have massive K’Andre Miller decision to make

Why Rangers should try to acquire Mario Ferraro from Sharks​

Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Stating the obvious, Drury and Sharks GM Mike Grier go way back and likely will always be solid trade partners. Though it wasn’t a trade, just look back a year and see how they worked out the Barclay Goodrow situation and got around his no-trade clause to San Jose.

With the Sharks in the midst of a full youth movement of their own, they are set to have a promising future upfront with superstar talent like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith leading the way. Still years away from contention, the back end could use a boost in young talent, especially on the power play.

Mario Ferraro has been named the 2024-25 @SanJoseSharks King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominee! Besides his role as the Hockey Fights Cancer ambassador, Mario gives back to #SharksTerritory in many ways. Thank you, Mario, for being a pillar in your community! pic.twitter.com/iq8Lr8HSYm

— Sharks Community (@sjscommunity) April 9, 2025

Jake Walman did a great job in that role this season, before he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers ahead of the NHL deadline. Jones, though, could replace him now and in the future. In all likelihood, the 24-year-old would be San Jose’s best offensive defenseman for years to come, giving him the opportunity he craves in the process.

In order to land Jones, the Sharks need to give up something the Rangers need. So how about Ferraro, the rugged left-shot d-man, for Jones and a draft pick and/or the rights to either Juuso Parssinen or Arthur Kaliyev? Really this is a Jones for Ferraro swap that the Rangers would have to sweeten just a bit.

Ferraro would bring a “do whatever it takes” mindset sorely missed on the current Rangers roster, not to mention a knack for being a team leader. All-around, he’s not dissimilar to Ryan Lindgren — a heart-and-soul player with a serious edge to his game. He’s durable and eats up 21-23 minutes a night.

Last season, Ferraro played over 1,400 minutes 5v5, more than 300 more than any other Sharks player. The Sharks were miserable, but Ferraro held his own in a bad situation.

Ferraro is 26 years old and his $3.25 million dollar cap-hit with one year remaining is also easy for the Rangers to absorb without hindering Drury’s negotiations with the remaining restricted free agents, especially if Jones and/or Soucy is traded away.

Mario Ferraro is a warrior for grinding out this shift while very clearly injured#TheFutureIsTeal pic.twitter.com/JFKVwPIETI

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 25, 2025

The Rangers would land either a partner for Adam Fox on the top defense pair or a top-four d-man to play alongside Will Borgen or Braden Schneider, with Miller partnering with Fox. Ferraro makes a lot of sense for the Rangers.

The Sharks may want to keep and extend Ferraro — or keep and trade him closer to the deadline in 2026 to maximize the return. There’s even noise in San Jose that Ferraro could be the Sharks next captain.

But the Rangers won’t know for sure until Drury rings up his old college buddy and former Buffalo Sabres teammate in San Jose and finds out.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/why-trading-for-mario-ferraro-makes-sense/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers close to hiring Mike Sullivan as new coach, could add John Tortorella as assistant: report

Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesBrad Penner-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers are reportedly closing in on hiring Mike Sullivan to be their new coach. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported Thursday night that the Rangers are “in advanced talks” to make Sullivan the 38th coach in franchise history.

This not a surprise, of course. Chris Drury has coveted the two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach ever since he was named general manager in May 2021. Drury pursued Sullivan before hiring Gerard Gallant in 2021 and Peter Laviolette in 2023. Each time, Sullivan remained coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

When Sullivan parted ways with the Penguins earlier this week after 10 seasons, he immediately became the favorite to replace the fired Laviolette and fill the Rangers vacancy.

Sullivan reportedly makes more than $5 million annually on a lucrative extension he signed with the Penguins in 2023. Kaplan made it seem like he will zoom past that amount with the Rangers.

“It is expected to be one of the richest coaching contracts in NHL history,” Kaplan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

There are several coaching openings in the NHL, outside of the Penguins. So, Sullivan has options. But a return to the Rangers, where he was an assistant under John Tortorella from 2009-13, has been expected by NHL insiders since his departure from the Penguins.

Elliotte Friedman spoke for many when he said Monday, “Until someone beats the Rangers out for Sullivan’s services, that’s who I’m picking … He’s their No. 1.”

Added Frank Seravalli on the Daily Cuppa Hockey podcast, “The Rangers will have their coach by the end of this week,” likely alluding to Sullivan.

The 57-year-old guided the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, his first two seasons as their coach. Sullivan is the coaching wins leader in Penguins history with a record of 409-255-89, and the 14th coach all-time in the NHL to win 400 games with one team.

Sullivan also coached the Boston Bruins from 2003-06, and his 479 wins are 32nd in NHL history.

WATCH Mollie Walker interview on RINK RAP podcast at Forever Blueshirts YouTube page

Rangers could reunite with former coach John Tortorella in different role​

John Tortorella behind the Rangers bench in 2012 -Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images

In an intriguing twist, Kaplan and Kevin Weekes are reporting that Tortorella could return to the Rangers as Sullivan’s assistant, a role reversal for them behind the Blueshirts bench. Tortorella was an assistant when Sullivan coached the United States at the 4 Nations Face-off in February, so it’s not without precedent.

“Sounds like John Tortorella is a strong possibility to re-join the organization as well,” Kaplan posted on X.

Sounds like John Tortorella is a strong possibility to re-join the organization as well, @KevinWeekes and I have heard. David Quinn is not expected to follow Sullivan but will be a head coaching candidate, including in Pittsburgh.

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) May 1, 2025

Tortorella was fired as coach of the Philadelphia Flyers on March 27. His 171 wins with the Rangers are fifth most by a coach in franchise history; and his 770 wins with five teams is ninth all-time in the NHL, and second most among United States-born coaches, behind Laviolette (846).

In 2011-12 with Tortorella as coach and Sullivan his top assistant, the Rangers won 51 games and had 109 points to finish first in the Atlantic Division. The Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final, losing in six games to the New Jersey Devils.

Sullivan was also Tortorella’s assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks.

If Tortorella returns to the Rangers, this would be his third tenure with the organization. He also was an assistant under John Muckler in 1999-2000, and finished that season as interim coach for four games (0-3 with one tie) after Muckler was fired.

In one final twist, Drury played for Tortorella and Sullivan in his final two NHL seasons with the Rangers from 2009-11.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...se-new-coach-john-tortorella-maybe-assistant/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rink Rap podcast with Mollie Walker: Why Rangers had ‘no sparkle … magic’

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

As Mollie Walker of the New York Post admitted on the Rink Rap podcast this week, she spent countless hours this season trying to find the right words to describe just how shockingly terrible the New York Rangers situation was.

Most perplexing was trying to explain how the Rangers crashed from sitting atop the NHL as Presidents’ Trophy winners in 2023-24 to missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, one of the most disappointing campaigns in franchise history.

“You want to talk about the deficiencies on the ice and how they actually stack up to other teams? Sure, that’s all legit and valid. But sometimes you just can’t quantify what a team is playing for, how they’re playing for each other and the camaraderie and chemistry that a team can have. And the Rangers had it for quite some time,” Walker told Forever Blueshirts. “This (2024-25) team had none of it. There was no sparkle. There was no magic, and that was so evident. … It was truly crazy to see a team that had so much of it go to having none of it in such a short amount of time.”

There was a certain joy to the three previous Rangers seasons, which featured a pair of runs to the Eastern Conference Final. The Rangers played with confidence and swagger. No deficit seemed too much to overcome, especially in 2023-24, when the Rangers were kings of the comeback.

It wasn’t perfect. The Florida Panthers exposed the Rangers in the 2024 conference final, outworking them, taking advantage of their sloppy defensive play and numerous turnovers. The New Jersey Devils shocked them in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But those Rangers teams didn’t look the part of quitters. And they certainly appeared to enjoy playing for one another.

“I’m such a believer in that X Factor, that “it” feeling, whatever you want to call it. It’s almost indescribable and not tangible. Just a feeling that a team has to it where you know that, yeah, that team can go and win the Stanley Cup,” Walker explained. “That missing ingredient for how ferociously you play for one another. It’s the best thing about sports I think because it’s something you can’t quantify.”

This season? Not so much.

There were numerous no-show performances. Far too many blown leads late in games. Just as many early deficits which put them in an immediate hole. And the fact that it took until Game No. 81, when they were already eliminated from playoff contention, before the Rangers won a game after trailing by multiple goals.

That was on the ice, where blame could be partially placed on a failed system, especially the man-on-man defensive “structure” deployed by since-fired coach Peter Laviolette — one that clearly was not embraced by the Rangers nor fit the personnel.

But deeper than that there was a heaviness about this team, a dark cloud.

“It was exhausting,” Walker said.

And she only had to report on it all. Imagine the players who lived it, were at the heart of it?

In retrospect, Walker explained that it was clear things were headed in a bad direction right from the start of training camp. And it all set up by a messy attempt to trade the Rangers captain last summer.

“Jacob Trouba coming back into the locker room and being completely open and honest about how difficult it was for him to have his heart in this and for him to lead coming from the offseason circumstances that he did, I think that’s infectious. That’s something that’s going to catch on,” Walker shared.

She added that it wasn’t her take that the Rangers stopped caring or trying to win. But instead, “I think it just became too big of a snowball for anybody to get in front of and stop.”

Related: Rangers get their man, hire 2-time Stanley Cup winner Mike Sullivan as coach

Mollie Walker says Rangers must make major decisions on Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

No one seemed more beaten down by the off-ice drama and on-ice collapse than Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. Though he finished the season strong, Zibanejad scored just 20 goals — his fewest since 2016-17, his first season in New York — and had 62 points, 10 fewer than the prior season and 29 less than in 2022-23.

Worse, he carried the weight of everything, leading to a Mopey Mika persona. It wasn’t much better for Kreider, who was included in general manager Chris Drury’s November trade memo to the other teams and had a slew of physical ailments as the longest-tenured current Rangers player limped to the finish line with a career-low 30 points.

Walker said more than anyone else on the Rangers, Zibanejad and Kreider “wore this one” last season since they’ve long been the central figures on Broadway.

“I know that what was going on with Mika also affected everyone around Mika,” she explained. “No more than his best friend (Kreider), who had him as the best man at his wedding. These guys are human … it’s soul-sucking to be around.”

Zibanejad’s distaste for how Drury goes about his business and a perceived lack of communication within the organization was aired at break-up day. Shortly thereafter, Rangers owner James Dolan went public with a contract extension for Drury.

“It was very calculated. It was Dolan telling everyone who’s in charge and who will be in charge for the foreseeable future,” Walker said. “This was not a surprise … Drury has very high favor with ownership. So, the message was this is our guy. Get behind it or get out.”

Walker emphasized that the Rangers, led by Drury and new coach Mike Sullivan, must meet with Zibanejad and Kreider and make sure that each is all-in this season. Or if the Rangers hierarchy doesn’t want one or the other, then they need to work with the players on a cleaner exit strategy. Zibanejad has a complete no-move clause; Kreider has a 15-team no-trade clause.

“Learn from your mistakes. Do not let another disgruntled player walk back into that locker room. It can’t happen again.”

You can watch the complete Rink Rap interview with Mollie Walker at our Forever Blueshirts YouTube page

Or you can listen to the audio podcast with Mollie Walker

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...k-rap-podcast-mollie-walker-no-sparkle-magic/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers sign Juuso Parssinen to 2-year contract

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesGary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

On the same day the New York Rangers named Mike Sullivan their new coach, they also signed forward Juuso Parssinen to a two-year contract.

Clearly, one of those news items is a bit more important than the other. But Rangers general manager Chris Drury was able to check a couple boxes from his offseason to-do list.

Though the Rangers didn’t reveal financial terms, Parssinen reportedly will receive $1.25 million annually. He could’ve been a restricted free agent this summer, and will be an RFA with arbitration rights at the end of this new deal in 2027.

Juuso Parssinen drops the gloves with Matt Roy after Brennan Othmann took a big hit pic.twitter.com/TkhR2vOkFO

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) March 6, 2025

The 24-year-old from Finland played for three teams this season and finished with 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in an NHL career-high 48 games. After playing for the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche, the Rangers acquired Parssinen from the Avalanche in the Ryan Lindgren trade March 1.

“Not ideal, for sure, of course,” Parssinen said on break-up day about being moved twice in the same season. “First time for me to see and feel the business side of things. It’s been tough in a way. But at the same time I’m in a great spot now, so I’m really happy about that. I hope I can stay here.”

With the Rangers, Parssinen had five points (two goals, three assists) in 11 games. He came alive late in the season, recording his first three points with the Rangers when he had a goal and and two assists in a 9-2 win against the Islanders on April 10. He added a goal and assist in a 5-3 comeback win against the Florida Panthers four days later.

In his first eight games with the Rangers, Parssinen not only failed to register a point, he didn’t record a single shot on goal. He did step in to fight Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Roy after Roy ran Rangers forward Brennan Othmann hard into the boards in his third game after being acquired from Colorado.

WATCH Mollie Walker interview on latest Rink Rap podcast at Forever Blueshirts YouTube page

Juuso Parssinen wants ‘to play more’ for Rangers​

James Guillory-Imagn Images

Parssinen was actually scratched for more games (12) than he played (11) with the Rangers. When he was in the lineup, Parssinen skated in the bottom six, both at center and on the wing. He won 40.3 percent of his face-offs in limited opportunity. The Rangers had only a 28.57 percent expected goals share when Parssinen was on the ice 5v5, per Natural Stat Trick, and were out-chanced by a whopping 77-21 margin with him on the ice.

Though he’s shown some flashes of offensive skill in his three-season NHL career, Parssinen projects to once again contend for a spot on New York’s third or fourth line next season.

“I want to play more, for sure, but if you take that away, I think my experience was really good,” Parssinen explained at break-up day.

A seventh-round pick by the Predators (No. 210 overall) in the 2019 draft, Parssinen has 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) in 137 NHL games. He recorded an NHL career-high 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) as a rookie in 2022-23 with Nashville, and then scored a career-best eight goals in 44 games the next season.

At the moment, The Rangers have J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad (if he doesn’t play on the wing), Sam Carrick, Jonny Brodzinski and Parssinen that played center at the NHL level. Matt Rempe could play the position, as well.

Prospects Noah Laba and Dylan Roobroeck — who scored 20 goals in his rookie pro season — are up-and-coming options with Hartford of the American Hockey League.

The Rangers still have six NHL restricted free agents to re-sign this offseason. That group is led by defenseman K’Andre Miller and forward Will Cuylle. Rempe, Adam Edstrom, Zac Jones and Arthur Kaliyev also need new deals.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...gers-sign-juuso-parssinen-to-2-year-contract/

 

[New York Rangers]

Mike Sullivan hire by Rangers a ‘home run’: Brian Boyle

Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesCharles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Brian Boyle has a unique perspective about the New York Rangers hiring Mike Sullivan as coach this week. So, the fact that Boyle believes the Rangers hit it out of the park with their latest coaching hire is significant.

“It’s a home run,” Boyle said on the Up in the Blue Seats podcast. “When he was relieved, or however it was his exit in Pittsburgh, I just thought to myself ‘They’re crazy. I don’t know what Pittsburgh, what they’re doing.’ There’s not many of these [coaches] in the world that can do what Mike Sullivan can do.”

Sullivan was named the 38th coach in Rangers history on Friday after spending the previous 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sullivan is the Penguins’ all-time winningest coach with 409 victories, and he guided them to consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017. He also coached the Boston Bruins from 2003-06, and his 479 wins are 32nd in NHL history.

Boyle played for the Rangers early in his career when Sullivan was an assistant under John Tortorella from 2009-13. He also had the chance to play his final NHL season with the Penguins in 2021-22 when Sullivan was an established head coach.

So, he has a pretty good understanding of Sullivan, the person and the coach.

“It’s a great get for the Rangers,” Boyle said. “He’s a great person, a great man, and I’m sure has a plan and probably has communicated with several of his players on the roster right now already, trying to dive into this thing. That’s kind of the work ethic he has.

“I’m excited for him, the person that he is. He meant a lot to me in my career. and I’m sure that’s a great job for him to get in his career.”

Back on Broadway. pic.twitter.com/f8fyafBSbh

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 2, 2025

Sullivan helped develop Boyle into a solid middle-six center after the Rangers acquired the then-24-year-old from the Los Angeles Kings in 2009. Boyle scored an NHL career-high 21 goals in 2010-11 and was an important two-way forward when the Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Final the following season.

When they paired up again in Pittsburgh, Sullivan was a two-time Stanley Cup winner and Boyle was a respected 36-year-old who had just beaten cancer and would play the final 66 of his 871 career NHL games.

“When I came to New York and had ‘Torts,’ that was the best thing for me,” Boyle recalled. “Torts and ‘Sully’ were the only two guys behind the bench, so I leaned a lot on Sully — he certainly was not confused as the head coach but he certainly had a lot of the head coach responsibilities. Four years with him, and then had him at the back end of my career for my last year (with the Penguins), seeing all the positives he had that I loved, he still had all those qualities.”

What stands out the most about Sullivan?

“The way he handles a five-game win streak and the way he handles you winning two out of your last eight, it’s all the same approach,” Boyle stated. “The way he communicates. This is the objective today, this is what we’re going to do, here’s some video, doesn’t really ever throw a guy under the bus … he has it perfect. The peaks and valleys, they minimize when you have that sort of approach.”

Related: Mollie Walker explains why Rangers had ‘no sparkle … magic’ last season

Brian Boyle believes ‘charismatic’ Mike Sullivan is perfect coach for Rangers​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Sullivan steps into a fairly unique situation in New York. On one hand, the Rangers have a talented roster and core that’s had success in recent seasons, including winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2024-25 and reaching the Eastern Conference Final in 2022 and 2024. On the other, they’re coming off a rotten season filled with disfunction on and off the ice, and failed to make the playoffs.

One of Sullivan’s biggest strengths in Pittsburgh was building strong relationships with his star players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, having them buy in and carry his message and strategy on the ice and in the dressing room. He’ll need to do the same with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, in particular, should one or both be retained by the Rangers this summer.

By all accounts, Sullivan is a relationship builder up and down the roster and organization.

“He’s just so approachable. Maybe that’s because I’ve known him a while and knew him at such a young age, but most of the guys, even the young guys in Pittsburgh, had no issues,” Boyle explained. “He was around the room. He’s all business, but he’s not a stiff. He’s a funny guy. He’s a charismatic guy when he has to be but when it’s time to work, it’s really impressive how he handled everything he did … and he had a pretty good bus driver as a player in Sid for the last 10 years so you had to follow in line.”

Boyle understands the pressure Sullivan is under. But he also believes the players have to own their failure and collectively bounce back next season.

“It’s on them more than anything else,” Boyle said. “That was a really disappointing season they just had. Now they have this bonafide awesome hockey coach coming in — it’s your third one (in five seasons) — it’s on you guys. You better make a good impression.”

New York Post columnist Larry Brooks was on the same podcast with Boyle and said Sullivan is the right coach at the right time for a Rangers team that needs a firm, respected leader behind its bench after all the drama and chaos this past season.

“You have to be able to manage egos and you know that Sullivan has succeeded with marquee players,” Brooks stated. “If there’s a problem in the room, and I think the Rangers have for a bit had a strange sense of entitlement without having a Stanley Cup in their belt, I’m sure that Sullivan will be able to deal with whatever personality issues and whatever egos and whatever slights the Rangers think or are perceived in the Rangers room.”

The Rangers are banking serious dollars in the coming years that Boyle and Brooks are right. That Sullivan is indeed the right man for the job.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/mike-sullivan-hire-home-run-brian-boyle/

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers defenseman was having good night until epic Avalanche collapse in Game 7

Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesJerome Miron-Imagn Images

Ryan Lindgren certainly knows about highs and lows in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 27-year-old defenseman was on both ends of the spectrum many times during his tenure with the New York Rangers.

But nothing quite like what he experienced with his current team, the Colorado Avalanche, on Saturday night.

Lindgren played a big role in helping the Avalanche skate to a 2-0 lead early in the third period of their decisive Game 7 on the road against the Dallas Stars. But he was also in the middle of an epic collapse, when the Avalanche allowed four unanswered goals — including three to former Colorado forward Mikko Rantanen — in a devastating 4-2 loss that ended their season.

“It’s pretty shocking,” Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon said in a stunned postgame locker room. “Felt like we were in total control and then Mikko, credit to him, he made some amazing plays. He was a difference-maker and he took over. I don’t know; I’m in shock to be honest with you. Felt like we were in complete control of the game the whole time and just lost it. They were missing their best [defenseman in Miro Heiskanen] and maybe their best forward (Jason Robertson), so we still couldn’t beat them. Yeah, I don’t know. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

Lindgren was on ice for each of Colorado’s first two goals. The first was a short-handed goal by Josh Manson at 9:50 of the second period, when Lindgren was the last man back defending and had a good look at Logan O’Connor’s takeaway and Manson’s rush back the other way.

Adam Fox’s former defense partner then made a play early in the third period which likely made his buddy proud. Skating with the puck along the blue line, Lindgren drew a Dallas defender toward him before making a blind drop pass right on to the stick of MacKinnon, who burst into the offensive zone on left wing.

MacKinnon did the rest, taking it to the net for a gorgeous finish that made it 2-0 Colorado 31 seconds into the third period. The assist was Lindgren’s third of the series.

NATHAN MACKINNON BURIES IT FOR COLORADO'S SECOND GOAL

ABC/ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/V74wEcTRAf

— ESPN (@espn) May 4, 2025

It didn’t go well for Lindgren nor the Avalanche the rest of the way, though.

Related: Mollie Walker explains why Rangers had ‘no sparkle … magic’ this season

Former Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren is among top free-agent defensemen this offseason​

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Rantanen put on his Superman cape and Lindgren definitely didn’t have Kryptonite to stop or even slow down the Stars forward when Dallas quickly tied the game.

On Rantanen’s first goal at 7:49, Lindgren appeared to have good positioning at and just inside his own blue line. Rantanen had the puck and approached with speed. As Lindgren backed off, Rantanen cut to the left and Dallas forward Sam Steel skated through to the right, clearing both Lindgren and teammate Artturi Lehkonen out of the play. Rantanen had the room he needed and made it 2-1.

Six minutes later, Lindgren was out there on the penalty kill and was victimized by Rantanen, who’s second of the night tied the score 2-2 at 13:46. As Rantanen entered the zone, Lindgren turned sideways and the Stars forward blew past the former Rangers defenseman. Rantanen then carried the puck around the net, attempted a wraparound and got a lucky bounce when the puck hit the skate of Colorado defenseman Sam Girard and into the net.

A LEGENDARY PERFORMANCE

Mikko Rantanen scores the first-ever hat trick in the third period of a #Game7 in NHL history! #StanleyCup

Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/HUBI0wDhvL

— NHL (@NHL) May 4, 2025

With Lindgren on the bench, Rantanen assisted on Wyatt Johnston’s go-ahead goal at 16:04 and then finished off the hat trick — and the Avalanche — with an empty-net goal at 19:57.

It was a bitter end to Lindgren’s season, which began with him sustaining a jaw injury in a preseason fight and missing several games to begin his seventh and final campaign on Broadway. After starting on the second pair, Lindgren was restored to his usual spot next to Fox, until he was traded to the Avalanche on March 1.

An unrestricted free agent, Lindgren was not going to be re-signed by the Rangers, so they moved him and Jimmy Vesey to Colorado for for defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward Juuso Parssinen. De Haan caused some drama with comments about the organization after the Rangers scratched him the final 20 games of the season. Parssinen was scratched in 12 of 23 games, but did begin to produce at the every end of the season. The Rangers signed Parssinen to a two-year contract Friday.

Vesey, also a UFA this summer, was a depth piece in Colorado. He had a goal and an assist in 10 games after the trade, and didn’t play at all in the playoffs against Dallas.

Lindgren is one of the top defensemen available in NHL free agency this summer, joining the likes of Aaron Ekblad, Vladislav Gavrikov and Ivan Provorov. He finished with an NHL career-high 22 points this season, including two goals and one assist in 18 games on Colorado’s second defense pair. In the playoffs, his plus-5 rating tied for best on the Avalanche and his 12 blocked shots were second most.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ight-until-epic-avalanche-collapse-in-game-7/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers get their man, hire 2-time Stanley Cup winner Mike Sullivan as coach

Aaron Doster-Imagn ImagesAaron Doster-Imagn Images

What seemed inevitable once Mike Sullivan parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier in the week became official Friday morning. The New York Rangers hired Sullivan to be the 38th coach in franchise history, replacing the fired Peter Laviolette.

Chris Drury has coveted the two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach ever since he was named general manager in May 2021. Drury pursued Sullivan before hiring Gerard Gallant in 2021 and Laviolette in 2023. Each time, Sullivan remained coach of the Penguins.

Now Drury, and the Rangers, have their man, after a tumultuous 2024-25 season that was among the most disappointing in franchise history. The Rangers became just the fourth team in NHL history to go from winning the Presidents’ Trophy one season to missing the NHL playoffs the next.

“Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL,” Drury said in a statement. “Given his numerous accomplishments throughout his coaching career – including two Stanley Cups and leading Team USA at the international level – Mike brings a championship-level presence behind the bench.

“I’ve gotten to know Mike very well over the years, including as teammates in the 1997 World Championships, when he coached me as a player in New York and through our shared time working together with USA Hockey. As we began this process and Mike became an available option for us to speak with, it was immediately clear that he was the best coach to lead our team.”

Known for being a big personality with an ability to communicate well up and down the organization and roster, Sullivan returns to the Rangers, for whom he was an assistant under John Tortorella from 2009-13. He was behind the bench for Drury’s final two NHL seasons with the Rangers, when the current GM was then their captain.

The 38th Head Coach in #NYR history.

Welcome (back) to Broadway, Sully! pic.twitter.com/dUhWCBPm4A

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 2, 2025

“I would like to welcome Mike back to the Rangers organization,” Rangers owner James Dolan said. “Mike’s track record and success in the NHL and internationally speaks for itself, and I look forward to seeing him behind the Rangers bench.”

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan was first to report that the Rangers were “in advanced talks” to hire Sullivan on Thursday night. She added that “It is expected to be one of the richest coaching contracts in NHL history.”

The Rangers didn’t reveal contract particulars. Sullivan reportedly made $5.5 annually on his most recent contract with the Penguins.

Kaplan also reported that there was a chance Tortorella would return as Sullivan’s assistant behind the Rangers bench, in a role reversal. However, there’s no word yet from the Rangers nor Sullivan about Tortorella’s return to New York nor the makeup of the new staff.

Associate coach Phil Housley was fired last weekend along with Laviolette. However, assistants Michael Peca and Dan Muse were not dismissed and could be in the mix to remain. Kaplan stated that former Rangers coach David Quinn, a Sullivan assistant this season with the Penguins, will not return to New York.

Related: From 1926 To Present Day, The Complete New York Rangers Coach History

Mike Sullivan brings strong resume, championship pedigree to Rangers​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Sullivan spent the previous 10 seasons with the Penguins and guided them to Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, his first two seasons behind their bench. The 57-year-old is the coaching wins leader in Penguins history with a record of 409-255-89, and the 14th coach in NHL history to win 400 games with one team.

He also coached the Boston Bruins from 2003-06, and his 479 wins are 32nd in NHL history.

Penguins stars Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang are unabashed fans of Sullivan; and part of his success in Pittsburgh derived from building a solid relationship with Crosby.

However, the Penguins missed the playoffs for the third straight season in 2024-25, and their 80 points were the fewest in any full season since Crosby’s rookie year in 2005-06. Like the Rangers, the Penguins were at or near the bottom of the League in most defensive metrics this season.

This past February, Sullivan coached the United States to a second-place finish at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Tortorella was one of his assistants and Drury was assistant GM for Team USA. Sullivan coached current Rangers J.T. Miller, Adam Fox, Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider at the tournament. He had previously coached Miller and Kreider earlier in their careers with the Rangers.

Sullivan is the U.S. men’s hockey coach for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, as well. That means he’ll have a lot on his plate next season, starting with helping turn the dysfunctional Rangers around and getting them back on track as a Stanley Cup contender.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/mike-sullivan-hired-coach/

 

[New York Rangers]

No magic this time: Rangers have No. 12 pick in 2025 NHL Draft after dropping 1 spot in lottery

Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesSam Navarro-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers didn’t have much good fortune this season, and that trend continued into the offseason when they dropped one spot in the NHL Draft Lottery on Monday. The Rangers finished 11th from the bottom in the League standings, but now have the No. 12 overall selection in the 2025 draft, which will be held June 27-28 in Los Angeles.

The Rangers entered the lottery with a three percent chance to land the No. 1 overall pick. Instead their archrival, the Islanders, landed the top selection in this year’s draft, making a big jump from the 10th spot. The Islanders had only slightly better odds at 3.5 percent to move up to No. 1, but the ping-pong balls bounced their way.

The second phase of the lottery was won by the Utah Hockey Club, and they now have the No. 4 overall pick. Utah began the night sitting at No. 14, but draft lottery rules stipulate that no team can move up more than 10 spots.

Since Utah finished behind the Rangers in the standings and jumped them in the lottery, the Blueshirts were knocked back one spot to 12th overall. The San Jose Sharks, who had the best odds entering the lottery, will pick second overall, and the Chicago Blackhawks dropped to No. 3 overall.

Presenting the 2025 #NHLDraft Lottery results!

The 2025 Upper Deck #NHLDraft will be held June 27-28. pic.twitter.com/6JJLYngoww

— NHL (@NHL) May 5, 2025

Now, the Rangers must decide if they want to hold on to their 2025 first-round pick or turn it over to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers traded this pick to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31 when they acquired J.T. Miller. The Canucks then flipped it to the Penguins in a deal for defenseman Marcus Pettersson.

Since the pick is top-13 protected, the Rangers can keep it this season and then send an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Penguins, or give this year’s pick to Pittsburgh and retain their 2026 selection in the first round.

The Rangers have until 48 hours before the draft on June 27 to inform the Penguins of their decision.

Related: Rangers rumors — Irritated Brady Tkachuk says trade wish ‘just not true’

Luck shined previously on Rangers, but this time Islanders win draft lottery​

The Rangers had their share of luck in the recent past with the draft lottery, including winning the right to select forward Alexis Lafreniere with the No. 1 pick in 2020. They won the draft lottery that year after finishing 18th in the League; the Rangers were allowed to move up that many spots because they lost in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season.

In 2019, the Rangers selected forward Kaapo Kakko with the No. 2 overall pick after moving up four spots in the lottery. They lost out to the New Jersey Devils, who won the lottery and selected center Jack Hughes first overall.

The Islanders have selected first overall four times in their history: 1972 (Billy Harris), 1973 (Denis Potvin), 2000 (Rick DiPietro) and 2009 (John Tavares).

Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman with Erie in the OHL, is projected by many to be the top pick in this year’s draft. Long Island native James Hagens, a forward at Boston College, could be an intriguing option for the Islanders, as well.

In an interesting side note, had the Islanders defeated the Rangers once this season in regulation, the teams would’ve flipped spots in the lottery and the Rangers would’ve ended up with the top pick. The Rangers swept all four games in the season series with the Islanders.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...rall-pick-2025-nhl-draft-drop-1-spot-lottery/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Rangers have love/hate relationship with No. 12 pick ahead of 2025 NHL Draft

Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesKirby Lee-Imagn Images

To say the New York Rangers have had mixed results with the No. 12 pick in the NHL Draft is an understatement. They made one of the worst selections in franchise history with the 12th selection; but they’re most recent stab at picking 12th worked out quite well.

The Rangers right now own the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, after dropping back one spot in the draft lottery Monday. The Rangers had a three percent chance of moving up to the top pick, but the Islanders instead won the lottery with only slightly better odds (3.5 percent) going in.

We say “right now” because the Rangers must decide if they want to hold on to their 2025 first-round pick or turn it over to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers traded this pick to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31 when they acquired J.T. Miller. The Canucks then flipped it to the Penguins in a deal for defenseman Marcus Pettersson.

Since the pick is top-13 protected, the Rangers can keep it this season and then send an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Penguins, or give this year’s pick to Pittsburgh and retain their 2026 selection in the first round.

It’s not an easy decision for Rangers general manager Chris Drury and Co., but one that the Rangers need to make 48 hours before the start of the draft June 27.

If they do keep this year’s pick, it’ll be the sixth time the Rangers select 12th overall. Of the previous five, Hugh Jessiman is an all-time Rangers bust and Marc Staal is a distinguished alum who played nearly 1,200 games in the NHL.

Let’s break down the five players selected 12th overall by the Rangers.

Related: Why Rangers should consider bringing Morgan Barron back to anchor 3rd line

Ranking Rangers all-time 12th overall draft picks, from worst to best​

Marc Staal in 2012 – Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Let’s cut to the chase and start this list with the worst of the worst, and work our way up.

Hugh Jessiman – F – 2003​

There’ve been some really poor first-round selections made by the Rangers over the years. None are in the same league as Hugh Jessiman.

The 6-foot-6 product of Dartmouth College was not a good skater nor was he talented enough to play on some very bad Rangers teams of that era. In fact, Jessiman never played a single game with the Rangers. He bounced between the AHL and ECHL in the minors for four seasons before the Rangers dumped him on the Nashville Predators on Oct. 30, 2008.

A career minor leaguers, Jessiman did appear in two NHL games with the Florida Panthers in the latter part of the 2010-11 season. He and defenseman Shawn Belle, the No. 30 overall pick by the St. Louis Blues who played 20 games, are the only players selected in the first round of the 2003 draft to appear in fewer than 192 games. Thirteen players from that stacked first round played in more than 1,000 NHL games.

The list of players the Rangers missed on after selecting Jessiman include Dustin Brown, Brent Seabrook, Zach Parise, Ryan Getzlaf, Brent Burns, Ryan Kesler, Mike Richards and Corey Perry. And that’s just in the first round. We won’t even pile on with Patrice Bergeron, Shea Weber, Loui Eriksson, David Backes and Jimmy Howard from the second round.

In one of the great drafts in NHL history, the Rangers had a massive fail selecting Jessiman No. 12 overall.

Pierre Jarry – F – 1969​

Maybe this isn’t quite fair to Pierre Jarry, who played seven seasons and 344 games in the NHL. But the Rangers first-round selection in 1969 lands as their second-worst No. 12 overall pick because he lasted less than one season on Broadway.

Jarry played 34 games with the Rangers as a rookie in 1971-72 and scored three goals, including the first two of his NHL career in the same game against the California Golden Seals on Nov. 21, 1971. But he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 20, 1972.

What compounded their failure is that the Rangers acquired defenseman Jim Dorey, who played one game for them that season, his last in the NHL. Jarry went on to a decent career with the Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars, even scoring 21 goals in 1975-76.

Wayne Dillon – C – 1975​

The Rangers had high hopes for Wayne Dillon, who was a prolific scorer in junior and for two seasons with the Toronto Toros in the now-defunct professional World Hockey Association. Dillon had a good start on Broadway, too. He was fifth on the Rangers with 21 goals as a rookie in 1975-76 and finished sixth with 45 points in 79 games.

He had 17 goals and 46 points the following season, but cratered in 1977-78 with just five goals and 18 points in 59 games for the Rangers, who sent him to the minors for a spell. Dillon bolted the Rangers and returned to the WHA after that season, and played one more NHL season with the Winnipeg Jets in 1979-80.

All told, Dillon played 229 NHL games and was out of hockey by 1982.

Dave Gagner – C – 1983​

Dave Gagner is far and away the most talented player selected 12th overall by the Rangers. However, the bulk of that production came after his brief tenure with the Rangers, which consisted of three seasons bouncing between Broadway and the minors.

After just 80 games in the Blueshirt, Gagner was shipped to the Minnesota North Stars in 1987. He scored 30+ goals in six consecutive season for the North Stars/Dallas Stars, including 40 in both the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons. That latter campaign, Gagner helped lead the North Stars to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Gagner, who also played for the Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Panthers and Vancouver Canucks, finished his career with 318 goals and 719 points in 946 NHL games.

Marc Staal – D – 2005​

Marc Staal played far more games for the Rangers than the four other No. 12 overall picks combined. In fact, Staal played the sixth most games in Rangers history — fourth among defensemen — with 892, and another 107 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

He would’ve played even more games with the Rangers had a serious concussion and later a troubling eye injury not robbed part of his prime from 2011-13. But his remains a long and successful career with the Rangers, one that included a trip to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings and three trips to the Eastern Conference Final.

Never an offensive star, Staal instead was a steady, defensive-minded defenseman, one who spent many seasons on a shutdown pair with Dan Girardi. He ended up playing 1,136 NHL games after concluding his career with the Detroit Red Wings, Panthers and Philadelphia Flyers.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...k-nhl-draft-history-hugh-jessiman-marc-staal/

 

[New York Rangers]

Perhaps Mika Zibanejad shed light about his Rangers future with $13 million decision

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

Mika Zibanejad is on the move. But that doesn’t mean the veteran forward won’t still be in the New York Rangers lineup next season? Or does it?

You can read the tea leaves as much as you want, but the only thing we know for sure is that Zibanejad sold his townhouse on West 12th Street in the West Village this week, per Crains New York Business. We also know he made a nice profit, selling it for $13 million after he purchased the five-level townhouse for $9.7 million in 2022.

The home “appears to have been shopped around as a ‘whisper’ listing, in that it wasn’t publicly marketed,” Crains reported.

Rangers star nets $13M sale of West Village townhouse https://t.co/WowNjoR0g2

— Crain's New York (@CrainsNewYork) May 6, 2025

Zibanejad could’ve done that because that’s what celebrities do to keep their business as quiet as possible. Or perhaps the 32-year-old forward didn’t want to set off a firestorm of rumors that he’s planning an exit from New York and the Rangers after a massively disappointing 2024-25 season, when they failed to make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

It’s not known if Zibanejad merely is moving to a new home within New York City or perhaps to the suburbs in Westchester near the Rangers practice facility. Or maybe his distaste for how general manager Chris Drury conducts business got the best of Zibanejad and he’s willing to waive his no-move clause and move on after nine seasons with the Rangers.

The latter option is the least likely after listening to Zibanejad’s comments about his future at break-up day. But it can’t be ruled out, especially if Drury and/or new coach Mike Sullivan expressed to Zibanejad that they’d prefer to move on from him this offseason.

Related: Why Mollie Walker tells us Rangers should explore trading ‘unimpressive’ Alexis Lafreniere

Disappointed Mika Zibanejad wishes to remain with Rangers​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Fairly or not, Zibanejad was the face of the Rangers collapse this season. His 62 points were the lowest full-season total (discounting the pandemic-shortened seasons) since 2017-18, and the 20 goals he scored were his fewest since 2016-17, his first season in New York after being acquired from the Ottawa Senators.

Zibanejad had a heaviness about him this season. He admitted that how the Rangers handled the departures of veterans Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba, and the trade memo naming his best friend Chris Kreider, weighed on him terribly. He also complained about poor communication within the Rangers organization at break-up day.

In the end, though, he took blame for his poor season, when he started out as the No. 1 center, dropped to the third line and eventually settled in as the right wing on J.T. Miller’s line, where he had the most success late in the season. Not only did his production decline, his defensive play was terrible.

“I know this wasn’t really the season I wanted,” Zibanejad said. “And that’s on me.”

Zibanejad made clear he wishes to stay with the Rangers and pointed to his contract that has a full no-move clause through the 2028-29 season before switching to a modified no-trade clause in its final year.

If he is going to play out that contract in New York, we know that Zibanejad won’t be coming home to that townhouse in the Village. Whether the sale of his home means something more will be made clear in the coming weeks and months.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...shed-light-future-13-million-dollar-decision/

 

[New York Rangers]

Mike Sullivan weighs top candidates to be next Rangers captain: ‘There’s a lot of character in that room’

Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesBrad Penner-Imagn Images

Mike Sullivan has a lot on his plate as the new coach of the New York Rangers. Just a week after being hired, Sullivan has already started on his to-do list, calling each player on the roster to begin building relationships.

When asked Thursday at his introductory press conference if he’s thought about the vacant Rangers captaincy, Sullivan admitted that wasn’t one of the things he discussed yet with general manager Chris Drury. But he did say the recent conversations he’s had with the players have him thinking good things about leadership on the team.

“The one takeaway that I have from those conversations is I think there’s a fair amount of leadership in that room. So, whether you wear a letter or you don’t wear a letter, leadership manifests itself in so many different ways. I think there’s a lot of character in that room, just based on the initial conversations that I’ve had with these guys. Chris and I will work through some of those challenges” Sullivan said.

The Rangers have been without a captain since Jacob Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6. New York finished the season without a captain, though Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider continued to serve as alternates.

Ryan Sun-Imagn Images

Trouba was in his third season as Rangers captain, beginning in 2022-23. They went four seasons without a captain after trading Ryan McDonagh to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018. Interestingly, each of the past three Rangers captains, including Ryan Callahan, were traded away by the organization.

Sullivan likely will take his time getting to know the different personalities during training camp before deciding on his leadership group. Former Rangers coach Gerard Gallant waited until his second season behind the bench before Trouba was named captain.

He is already familiar with several players on the team, having served as an assistant under John Tortorella when Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller made their NHL debuts with the Rangers. Additionally, he coached Vincent Trocheck, Adam Fox, Miller, and Kreider with the United States during the 4 Nations Face-Off.

When asked about his experience with those four Rangers during the midseason tournament, Sullivan said he learned that they were “fierce competitors” with an “insatiable appetite to win.”

During Sullivan’s 10-year tenure as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, he had one of the greatest captains in NHL history: future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby. The veteran coach understands what defines a true leader, having witnessed Crosby lead the Penguins to Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.

Here are the top candidates to become the 29th captain in franchise history.

Related: Mike Sullivan sends message to Rangers: ‘talent alone doesn’t win, you’ve got to become a team’

3. J.T. Miller​

Though Miller played just 32 games with the Rangers after arriving from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31, it’s hard to ignore his leadership qualities. Miller plays a gritty, physical style that his teammates feed off, and he’s a vocal, take-charge personality.

He was an alternate captain with the Canucks for four seasons and is widely respected around the League and inside the Rangers room.

Miller is 32 and has five years remaining on his contract, so he’s going to be here a while. He’ll likely wear a letter next season, whether it’s a “C” or an “A”.

If you're wondering who's the next #NYR Captain will be? Just watch JT Miller. pic.twitter.com/tVCBoXrcSh

— David (@DaveyUpper) March 21, 2025

2. Adam Fox​

The hometown kid is a leader on the ice and a productive player; his 369 points rank fifth all-time among defensemen in Rangers history.

Fox is a bit soft-spoken, which may not be a plus. But he is under contract through the 2028-29 season, and Sullivan praised him Thursday.

“He is still a young guy, and he already has a Norris Trophy in his trophy case. I look forward to the opportunity to work with Adam. I don’t think there is any doubt that Adam is an elite player in this league,” Sullivan said.

1. Vincent Trocheck​

Trocheck is a heart-and-soul player on the ice, a respected veteran and an intelligent voice dealing with the media. He’s likely the favorite to become next Rangers captain.

After Trouba was traded, Trocheck stepped up as a leader on and off the ice, and often was the player providing passionate insight into the team.

“I want to be a part of the reason that we do right the ship,” Trocheck said on breakup day. “We don’t have very many opportunities to win a Stanley Cup, and that’s the whole reason why everybody in this locker room plays the game. I’m looking forward to having this summer to figure things out. I have a lot of things in mind that we can work on and get better at. I do take responsibility for a lot of it.”

Also you might remember that after the Game 6 loss in the 2024 Eastern Conference Final to the Florida Panthers, Trocheck was the first player to comfort Igor Shesterkin after the goalie’s incredible run fell short. A small thing, perhaps. But it’s the type of action teammates take notice of.

Vincent Trocheck consoles Igor Shesterkin after the final horn pic.twitter.com/NJbrZ5lr4u

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) June 2, 2024

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/mike-sullivan-weighs-top-candidates-captain/

 

[New York Rangers]

Canucks GM opens up about Rangers star: ‘I have a lot of respect for J.T. Miller’

James Guillory-Imagn ImagesJames Guillory-Imagn Images

Apparently that rift in Vancouver that led to J.T. Miller being traded to the New York Rangers this season was not the star forward’s fault.

There’s been much speculation as to what led up to Miller’s departure from the Canucks, with rampant rumors focusing on a feud between him and Vancouver’s other star center, Elias Pettersson.

Well, it appears that it wasn’t just about two players. And interestingly, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin seemed to take a shot at the players on his team while standing up for Miller during a town hall with season-ticket holders on Thursday.

“J.T. Miller is a phenomenal hockey player, 32 years old, he probably understood that he doesn’t get that many more shots to win the [Stanley] Cup,” Allvin explained. “He was extremely prepared coming in (this season) and some of the younger guys thought that maybe this is gonna be easy and maybe they weren’t prepared to the same level he was.”

Allvin didn’t delve into specifics of what happened next. But you can imagine. Miller is as intense and serious as they come. If he believed not everyone was dialed in like him, or didn’t prepare properly after a 50-win, first-place finish in 2023-24, then it’s easy to see that he let his teammates know his dissatisfaction.

Things got so bad for Miller and his family that he took a 10-game leave of absence for personal reasons in mid-November. Ironically, he began the leave when the Rangers were in town to visit the Canucks on Nov. 19.

Listening to Allvin, it sounds like he doesn’t blame Miller at all, even though the GM ended up trading him to the Rangers on Jan. 31.

“Talking with J.T., i don’t think J.T. ever wanted to leave Vancouver,” Allvin explained. “But at that point he felt it was best for him, his family and the Canucks that he was going somewhere else. It was emotional. It was hard … leading up to the final decision.

“But I have a lot of respect for J.T. Miller. He’s a good hockey player and a good person.”

Related: Braden Schneider is ‘built to adapt,’ so could be key to Rangers offseason strategy

J.T. Miller believed a ‘fresh start’ was needed, welcomed trade to Rangers​

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Of course, the Rangers traded for Miller because they were in the midst of a soap opera themselves. Trades. Players upset with management. A string of no-show performances. And some putrid play on the ice.

Miller missed the worst of the issues in New York and helped change the culture down the stretch of the season after arriving back with the Rangers, who traded him away to the Tampa Bay Lightning back in 2018. He had 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) in 32 games after the trade.

But not even Miller could save the Rangers. They missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in four seasons. In fact, they ended up with a worse record (39-36-7; 85 points) than the Canucks (38-30-14; 90 points), who also missed the playoffs.

Miller briefly addressed his departure from the Canucks before his first game against them March 22.

“I don’t want to get into too much detail, but, yeah, I think a fresh start was needed,” Miller said. “I’ve got nothing bad to say about the Canucks or Vancouver as a city. We loved it there. It felt like home, and that’s all you can ask for. But, unfortunately, this is a business, and in the business end of things, it was getting difficult.”

Allvin alluded to the fact there were problems before this season that were addressed by management and the coaching staff, a “lingering problem,” he called it.

There’s plenty of vagueness there. But Allvin was clear in his feelings about Miller.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/patrik-allvin-jt-miller-respect-trade/