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[New York Rangers]

Rangers reportedly in ‘advanced discussions’ with Ducks about Chris Kreider trade

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

Chris Kreider might be in the final homestretch of his tenure with the New York Rangers.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported late Tuesday night that the Rangers are in “advanced discussions” with the Anaheim Ducks about a trade which would send Kreider out west for a prospect and draft pick. Most importantly from the Rangers side is that the Ducks reportedly would take on all of Kreider’s remaining contract, $13 million over the next two seasons.

The Rangers currently have approximately $8.4 million in salary-cap space next season and still have several key restricted free agents to sign, including Will Cuylle, K’Andre Miller, Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom, though there are rumors that Miller could be traded. Shedding the entirety of Kreider’s $6.5 million salary-cap hit would be a big win for general manager Chris Drury.

It also wouldn’t be anything new for the Rangers GM. He saved nearly $12 million annually by placing Barclay Goodrow on waivers, where he was claimed by the San Jose Sharks a year ago, and trading Jacob Trouba to the Ducks in December.

Drury has long sought to move Kreider to create room under the salary cap. Last November, he sent a memo to the other 31 GMs in the NHL detailing that he was open for business and looking to trade Trouba and/or Kreider.

Now those veterans could wind up together across the country next season if this reported deal is consummated.

Seravalli stated that “The talks, which sources stressed had not reached the finish line, were slated to continue on Wednesday. But there was mutual interest between the parties and the framework of a deal in place.”

Related: Rangers reportedly among teams ‘buzzing around’ Stars forward Jason Robertson

Rangers rumored close to trading Chris Kreider​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Though a Kreider trade would not be shocking, it’s still a big deal. He’s the longest tenured current Rangers player and is third all-time in franchise history with 326 goals, tied for first with 116 power-play goals, and eighth with 883 games played.

Kreider is the Rangers all-time leader with 48 goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a memorable natural hat trick that helped them rally to eliminate the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round last spring.

The 34-year-old was stung by Drury’s trade memo this past season and slowed by a back injury, a bout of vertigo, and a broken hand. Though his production dropped considerably, Kreider finished third on the Rangers with 22 goals and six power-play goals in 68 games. He tied for fifth in the NHL with four short-handed goals.

However, Kreider totaled just 30 points, a steep decline from the 75 points (39 goals, 36 assists) he recorded in 2023-24. With Rangers looking to revamp their roster this summer after missing the playoffs for the first time in four years, the former 52-goal scorer (2021-22) appeared to be a goner despite his partial no-trade clause.

MORE TO COME

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/chris-kreider-trade-rumor-report-ducks/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why former Rangers center nearly was traded 2nd time before deadline

Simon Fearn-Imagn ImagesSimon Fearn-Imagn Images

Apparently Filip Chytil’s whirlwind season could’ve taken another major turn shortly after he was traded by the New York Rangers to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31.

Reportedly just five weeks after the Rangers moved the 2017 first-round pick, Chytil was nearly flipped by the Canucks to the Ottawa Senators as part of a package to land center Josh Norris.

“The Canucks were pretty close on Josh Norris with the Ottawa Senators at the time. It would’ve been Filip Chytil and it would’ve been a draft pick that would’ve gone the way of the Ottawa Senators,” NHL insider Darren Dreger told the Sekeres and Price podcast this week. “I don’t know why that came unglued. I know at the time that was a player (then Canucks coach) Rick Tocchet really liked. Fit the system, the style of play, can skate. All of those things.”

Ultimately, the Senators did trade Norris, just not to the Canucks. They moved him right before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 7 along with defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Buffalo Sabres for center Dylan Cozens, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and a second-round pick in the 2025 draft.

When Chytil was acquired from the Rangers as part of the return for J.T. Miller, he was excited for the opportunity to be the second-line center behind Elias Pettersson. His ice-time with the Canucks increased by two minutes (to 16:42) from what he received as the third-line center with the Rangers, and Chytil got more of a chance to play on the power play, too.

Chytil scored a goal in his Canucks debut against the Detroit Red Wings on Feb. 2 and had five points (one goals, four assists) in his first seven games after the trade. Yet, despite the positive reviews from Tocchet and Co., it appears behind the scenes the Canucks were looking to use Chytil to make an upgrade at 2C.

Norris had 20 goals in 53 games heading into the trade deadline and scored 35 goals for the Senators in 2021-22. Chytil set NHL career highs with 22 goals, 23 assists and 45 points in 2022-23 and had 11 goals and 20 points in 41 games before the Rangers shipped him off to Vancouver.

Related: Rangers reportedly in ‘advanced discussions’ with Ducks about Chris Kreider trade

Filip Chytil played just 15 games after being traded by Rangers due to concussion​

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Despite not being traded again before the deadline, Chytil’s season still took a sideways turn. Chytil sustained a concussion in a game against the the Chicago Blackhawks on March 15 and didn’t play again the rest of the season. Chytil had one point (goal) in his final eight games and finished with six points (two goals, four assists) in 15 games with the Canucks.

Reportedly Chytil was feeling better by the end of the season, even though the Canucks were cautious with the 25-year-old and continued to hold him out of the lineup because of his prior history with head injuries. Chytil had several concussions with the Rangers, and played only 10 regular-season games in 2023-24 due to a frightening head injury.

So, Chytil is once again dealing with familiar health issues this offseason, compounded by the fact it appears the Canucks tried to trade him mere weeks after acquiring him. It’d appear that the Canucks view him now as a 3C because there are rumors swirling that they’re shopping for a better 2C this summer.

“William Karlsson is probably on the Bingo card if Vegas is willing to part with him. He’d probably be on the card for a lot of teams around the NHL because there are a lot of teams in the market for centers, including, of course, the Vancouver Canucks, who have a pretty significant hunger for that position,” Dreger explained.

Like the Rangers, the Canucks surprisingly missed the playoffs this past season and have a new coach. Adam Foote replaced Tocchet, who stepped down and moved on to become coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...hytil-nearly-traded-2nd-time-before-deadline/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Mike Sullivan’s ‘know-how and high demands’ should get Rangers back into playoffs next season

Aaron Doster-Imagn ImagesAaron Doster-Imagn Images

It’s been a head-spinning offseason when it comes to coaching turnover in the NHL. Mike Sullivan’s move to the New York Rangers is one of eight changes already in the League, and there’s still one vacancy remaining after Peter DeBoer was recently fired by the Dallas Stars after they lost to the Edmonton Oilers in five games in the Western Conference Final.

It’s anyone’s guess which team will have the most success in the long run after switching coaches. But Adam Proteau of The Hockey News believes Sullivan will be among those who will have the most immediate success.

In a recent article titled “Which NHL Teams With New Coaches Will Make The Playoffs In 2025-26?,” Proteau predicted that the Rangers “have a solid shot to make it back to the playoffs” under Sullivan after missing them this past season for the first time in four years.

“Sullivan brings his championship pedigree to Manhattan, and he’s going to face immediate and prolonged pressure to make Rangers fans forget about their catastrophic play this past season,” Proteau stated.

Proteau noted that the Rangers still have a talented roster. But he added that Sullivan will make a difference behind the bench, as well.

“Two straight seasons with no postseason appearance would be abominable for the Blueshirts, but Sullivan’s know-how and high demands should get the Rangers back where they’ve been accustomed to,” Proteau said.

Related: Rangers reportedly among teams ‘buzzing around’ Stars forward Jason Robertson

Mike Sullivan brings championship pedigree to Rangers​

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Sullivan is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion with a reputation for turning a good team into a great one. That’s what Sullivan did when he took over the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015-16 and led them to back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017, becoming the first coach to repeat since Glen Sather with the Edmonton Oilers in 1987 and 1988. The only other franchise that managed to repeat since was the 2020 and 2021 Tampa Bay Lightning under Jon Cooper, who’s the longest-tenured coach currently in the NHL.

What made those glory days in Pittsburgh so successful under Sullivan wasn’t just their pure talent, but their buy-in. He blended speed and structure, put his faith in stars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and demanded full commitment from every player on both ends of the ice. Over his near-decade tenure with the Penguins, Sullivan coached in 14 playoff series. He did some of his best work in seasons when the Penguins were inundated with injuries but still reached the postseason.

Now, with the Florida Panthers eyeing a repeat of their own this postseason, the Rangers are desperately hoping Sullivan can build something similar in New York — a real Stanley Cup contender, not just a really good team that lacks championship mettle and falls short of the ultimate goal year after year.

What awaits Mike Sullivan in New York​

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Before anything, Sullivan must re-establish their defensive structure, something the Rangers severely lacked under Peter Laviolette last season. The Rangers’ defensive lapses were nightly, numerous, and ghastly. Whether it’s cleaning up zone exits, tightening gaps on the ice, or creating a more fluid pace between wingers and defensemen, Sullivan’s track record shows he’s got a plan to fix this group.

Under Sullivan the Rangers need to play faster, smarter hockey. His best Penguins teams thrived on speed, quick puck movement up the ice, and disciplined positioning. The question is whether or not the Rangers can adapt to the playing style, since they are used to a more free-flowing East-West offense. If Sullivan can get players to buy into his ideology, play more North-South, and commit to a 200-foot game, the Rangers should be in a good spot.

“Sullivan’s biggest challenge will be to revitalize the Rangers defense and hope their offensive-minded players will show that last year was an aberration,” Proteau noted.

Related: Rangers reportedly eyeing free-agent defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov

Sullivan has the full support of general manager Chris Drury, and Drury has the full support of owner James Dolan. That leaves less wiggle room for the players to underperform again to the embarrassing degree they did this past season. In fact, before Sullivan coaches his first game behind the Rangers bench, there could be significant changes to the roster.

“Even with some presumed alterations to their roster, the Blueshirts have the talent to rebound under Sullivan and once again be a playoff team in the Metropolitan Division,” Proteau stated.

How the rest stack up with Mike Sullivan and the Rangers​

Seven other franchises made changes behind the bench this offseason so far, and while few are in promising positions, others face long-term rebuilds with slim playoff hopes ahead.

Proteau was hopeful for Boston Bruins new hire Marco Strum, stating “Sturm’s task is all about balancing the short-term needs of stars like David Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm with the future of youngsters like Fabian Lysell.”

He believes the Bruins experienced core could push them close to a postseason return, but did make it clear that the pressure is on.

As for Vancouver Canucks coach Adam Foote, he may have the most favorable setup. He’s familiar with the Canucks’ core after serving as an assistant, and now gets to lead a team that features stars like Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson and Thatcher Demko. But after this past season’s soap opera, all bets are off in Vancouver, even with a new coach, though Proteau rated the Canucks as a virtual playoff lock next season.

“If [Foote] can squeeze more pop out of their offense … the Canucks should almost certainly be a playoff team again,” Proteau said.

Former Rangers assistant Dan Muse in Pittsburgh and ex-Islanders coach Lane Lambert with the Seattle Kraken are both stepping into transitioning franchises. Proteau suggested Lambert to “be a patient bench boss” as the Kraken continue to look for some consistency.

The hills to climb for the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks are real steep, since both of these teams . For the Blackhawks and new coach Jeff Blashill, they are are multiple pieces away from playoff contention and their rebuild is centered around Connor Bedard; while Joel Quenneville has plenty of good young talent with the Ducks, who are closer to popping than the Blackhawks.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...an-should-get-back-into-playoffs-next-season/

 

[New York Rangers]

Top 10 Chris Kreider moments with Rangers before trade to Ducks

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

Chris Kreider’s tenure with the New York Rangers ended Thursday when the only NHL team he’d ever played for traded him to the Anaheim Ducks for 20-year-old center prospect Carey Terrance and an exchange of picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Kreider was the longest-tenured player on the Rangers, who selected him in the first round (No. 19) of the 2009 draft. He made his NHL debut in Game 3 of New York’s first-round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators on April 16, 2012, a few weeks after helping Boston College win the NCAA National Championship. Kreider set an NHL record by scoring five playoff goals during the Rangers’ run to the Eastern Conference Final before getting the first of his 326 regular-season goals against the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 5, 2013

The 34-year-old leaves as the No. 3 goal-scorer in Rangers history, trailing only Hockey Hall of Famers Rod Gilbert (406) and Jean Ratelle (336). He’s also tied with Camille Henry for the franchise record with 116 power-play goals.

For the memories, the leadership + showing what it means to be a New York Ranger.

Thank you for everything, Kreids. pic.twitter.com/h9YFQpVpA1

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 12, 2025

Kreider’s 123 playoff games are most among Rangers position players. He is first in goals (48) and third in points (76). He’s also scored 16 goals in 30 games in which the Rangers faced elimination, tying him with Mark Messier for the most in NHL history.

Kreider became the fourth player in Rangers history to reach the 50-goal mark when he scored 52 in 2021-22, joining Jaromir Jagr (54 in 2005-06), Adam Graves (52 in 1993-94) and Vic Hadfield (50 in 1971-72).

Here’s a look at 10 of the most memorable goals during Kreider’s tenure with the Rangers.

May 20, 2024​

James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Rangers were on their way to being forced to play a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference Second Round series against the Carolina Hurricanes until Kreider had the period of a lifetime. With his team entering the third period of Game 6 down 3-1 on the road, Kreider scored three consecutive goals in a span of 8:58 to put the Rangers ahead to stay. It was the 16th playoff hat trick in Rangers history, the third natural hat trick and the second in which all three goals were scored in the third period, joining Messier’s famous “Guarantee Game” against the New Jersey Devils in 1994.

April 23, 2012​

Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Kreider’s first NHL goal came a week after his debut, and it couldn’t have happened at a better time. The rookie forward took a pass from Derek Stepan and beat Senators goaltender Craig Anderson at 19:19 of the second period in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series. The goal put the Rangers ahead 3-1 and stood as the game-winner when Ottawa scored with 39 seconds remaining in the third period. The 3-2 win tied the best-of-7 series, and the Rangers won 2-1 in Game 7 back at the Garden three nights later to advance.

March 30, 2024​

Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

It took Kreider two tries to officially score his 300th NHL goal during the Rangers’ 8-5 win against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullet Arena. It looked like he had reached the milestone at 16:38 of the second period when he banged home a rebound. He was handed the puck as a memento, only to have the goal overturned after a challenge when Jack Roslovic was ruled to have interfered with Arizona goalie Karel Vejmelka. But he deflected a Ryan Lindgren shot into the net at 5:45 of the third period — and this one counted, making him the third player to score 300 goals as a Ranger.

Feb. 5, 2013​

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The lockout that reduced the 2012-13 season to 47 games meant that Kreider spent three months with the AHL Connecticut Whale before making his regular-season debut with the Rangers on Jan. 19, 2013. He scored his first regular-season goal four games later against the New Jersey Devils. You can’t say he did it against a chump: Goal No. 1 came at 6:28 of the third period against Martin Brodeur, the winningest goaltender in NHL history. It was the Rangers’ lone goal in a 3-1 loss at Prudential Center.

April 12, 2022​

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Kreider had never scored more than 28 goals in a season, so to say his performance in 2021-22 was surprising would be putting it mildly. He became the fourth player in Rangers history to reach the 50-goal mark, and the first homegrown player in team history to do so, when he scored a sixth-attacker goal against the Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden. The only disappointment for Rangers fans that night was that it came in a 4-2 loss.

May 8, 2015​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Rangers entered their first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals having won the Presidents’ Trophy as regular-season champions. But they were less than two minutes away from seeing their season end way too early when Kreider stepped up. With the Capitals leading 3-1 in the series and 1-0 in Game 5, Henrik Lundqvist was on his way to the bench for an extra attacker when Kreider took a pass from Stepan and let fly from the top of the left circle. The shot caught the far corner with 1:41 remaining in regulation, triggering an eruption at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers went on to win the game 2-1 on Ryan McDonagh’s overtime goal, then won Games 6 and 7 to advance.

April 18, 2023​

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Kreider earned two lines in the Rangers’ history book on the same night, one with each of the two power-play goals he scored in a 5-1 road win against the Devils in the opener of their Eastern Conference First Round series. Kreider’s first goal was the 35th playoff tally of his career, breaking a tie with Rod Gilbert for the most in Rangers history. The second, at 11:07 of the third period, was the 14th on the power play, passing Adam Graves for No. 1 in that category (he leaves with a team-record 19). Kreider was voted the game’s First Star in a 5-1 win.

Nov. 30, 2013​

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Coach John Tortorella didn’t believe in Kreider and didn’t use him much in the 2012-13 season. But ‘Torts’ got the axe in the summer of 2013, only to resurface behind the bench of the Vancouver Canucks for the 2013-14 season. Kreider gave Torts a look at what he was missing when the Canucks made their lone trip of the season to Madison Square Garden by scoring three times for his first NHL hat trick in the Rangers’ 5-1 win. Kreider scored twice in the first period before completing his big day with a goal midway through the third.

April 17, 2025​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

As it turned out, the Rangers’ season-ending 4-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden turned out to be Kreider’s swan song (Duck call?) in New York. But he went out with a bang, scoring his 22nd goal of a disappointing season and adding an assist, earning the Third Star of the game.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...-10-chris-kreider-moments-before-trade-ducks/

 

[New York Rangers]

Get to know newest Rangers prospect Carey Terrance after trade with Ducks

Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn ImagesAnne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers not only saved $6.5 million against the salary cap by trading forward Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, they addressed an organizational need by acquiring center prospect Carey Terrance at the same time.

Though they could still target a center with the No. 12 pick in this year’s NHL Draft, there’s less urgency for the Rangers to do so after picking up Terrance, a 20-year-old who was Anaheim’s second-round selection (No. 59 overall) in the 2023 draft.

The upstate New York product joins a thin group of center prospects in the Rangers organization, a pipeline that includes Noah Laba, Dylan Roobroeck and Bryce McConnell-Barker, each of whom spent time with Hartford of the American Hockey League this season.

Welcome, Carey! pic.twitter.com/zXGrvJJQOa

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 12, 2025

The Rangers have a strong stable of veteran centers, though that could change if there are more trades this summer and/or if Mika Zibanejad is shifted permanently to right wing. J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, Sam Carrick and Zibanejad provide the Rangers serious depth down the middle, with Juuso Parssinen and Jonny Brodzinski also in the mix.

With Laba turning pro this spring and now the acquisition of Terrance, the Rangers are fortifying their organizational depth at center.

So who is the newest New York Rangers prospect? Let’s dive in.

Related: Why former Rangers center nearly was traded 2nd time before deadline

Breaking down new Rangers prospect Carey Terrance​

2024-25 team: Erie Otters (OHL)

Size: 6-foot-1, 190 pounds

2024-25 stats: 39 points (20 goals, 19 assists) in 45 games

Team USA at World Junior Championship: Two goals in seven games

GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK

Analysis from Elite Prospects 2023 NHL Draft Guide

“Terrance gets his chances two ways: Solo drives off the rush and give-and-goes. For the former, he dekes through opponents, burns them down the outside with speed and then skates through their hands to his way to the net. For the latter, he takes the middle and passes wide before turning on the afterburners, beating defenders to the net for the return feed. Even if the puck never arrives, he pushes back defenders to create lanes elsewhere.”

Terrance prides himself on playing a solid two-way game, using his size and tenacity to create offense. He’s very efficient on the forecheck and uses his speed and strength to take opponents one-on-one to get inside and generate scoring chances. He does so without sacrificing defense for offense.

The soft-spoken native of Akwesasne, New York, is a leader by example whose game is only loud in all the right ways. After he was drafted, Terrance described his game to the media as such.

“I think I’m a versatile player. I’m not just a guy who’s going to play on the power play or a man down but can play everywhere … I think I’m going to come in and help in a few years and play a role. Wherever I’m needed. I’m going to bring excitement to the fans and like I am at home, be a great leader and role model in the community. I’m not just going to be on the ice but be a role model off the ice too.”

That’s a pretty mature-sounding kid — he was 18 at the time he said those things. There’s a reason Terrance was Erie’s captain this season. Likely No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer and potential first-rounder Malcolm Spence served as alternate captains.

Terrance scored 30 goals in his draft year, but his production has dipped since. He had 29 goals and 52 points in 56 games for the Otters in 2023-24 and followed that with 20 goals and 39 points in 45 games this season, including a four-goal game in November.

His will was tested this past season when he was stretchered off the ice and taken to the hospital following a scary run into the boards on Feb. 14 against Owen Sound. He missed approximately two months before joining the Otters at the end of the season ahead of the playoffs, when they lost in the conference semifinals.

Terrance also scored two goals in seven games for the United States at the 2025 World Junior Championship, where he and fellow Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue helped Team USA win the gold medal for the second consecutive year. Terrance was also on the 2024 championship team but didn’t play — he was an extra on a stacked team.

He signed his entry-level contract April 9, which makes him eligible to turn pro next season. It’d most likely he’ll spend time in Hartford to improve his all-around game before making the jump as a potential third-line center in the NHL. At age 20, time is on his side.

“Anyone our age, you hear a lot of GMs, scouts say you need to put on weight. You need to develop your body and that’s just what I’ve been trying to do. In the gym, on the ice, just get stronger and get bigger,” Terrance explained. “Still being able to move at the same speed I am. That’s been definitely a focus. I’ve put on a lot of weight and I still feel really good on the ice. All around the ice.”

When it comes to draft picks outside the first round, their success is generally established with a chip on their shoulder (think Will Cuylle, Matt Rempe etc).

Being one of the few Native Americans (he’s a member of the Mohawk Nation) in pro hockey who grew up on a small reservation near the Canadian border, Terrance prides himself on his tremendous work ethic. His Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation even plans to recognize Terrance’s accomplishments and representation to the community with a permanent plaque of him.

Terrance isn’t a cocky athlete, simply one who’s confident in what he can bring on the ice.

“I can play on the power play, can play PK, you know last minute play whether we need a goal or we need to stop a goal. I love to be in those situations.”

Terrance is not a star and may not excel in one specific area, but he certainly seems like someone coaches can use in all situations.

Doing so against men will certainly bring its hurdles, but the kid comes across as very coachable and someone who doesn’t cheat the game. We just heard Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice describe center Sam Bennett’s game the same way. Though not at that elite level by any means, it’s easy to see the similarities in Bennett and Terrance’s style and approach to the game.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/prospect-carey-terrance-trade-ducks/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers not done after Chris Kreider trade, ‘prepared to be aggressive’: NHL insider

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

With the Chris Kreider trade behind them, the New York Rangers apparently are far from done retooling their roster before next season. In fact, dealing their longest-tenured player to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday could very well be just the start to a very active offseason for the Rangers.

“They don’t have a ton of [salary] cap room yet, but they seem to want everyone to realize they’re prepared to be aggressive,” NHL insider Elliotte Friedman stated on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast.

The Rangers do have more financial flexibility under the cap after offloading Kreider’s entire $6.5 million annual salary the next two seasons to the Ducks in exchange for 20-year-old center prospect Carey Terrance and a swap of mid-round picks in the upcoming draft. That leaves the Rangers with roughly $15 million in salary cap space, though they’re likely to make more moves in order to create extra room under the $95.5 million ceiling.

“Oh, I definitely feel that they’re not done. Very clearly, they want people to know they’re out there,” Friedman said Thursday on The FAN Hockey Show. “(General manager) Chris Drury is not necessarily being that public about it, but everyone knows the Rangers are out there and they’re not done yet.”

Restricted free agents K’Andre Miller, Will Cuylle, Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom need to be re-signed, so that cuts into how much the Rangers can spend on upgrading the roster this summer. The NHL rumor mill is churning, though, when it comes to Miller. The Rangers reportedly are listening to what they might be able to get in return for the polarizing 25-year-old defenseman.

“A couple of teams told me this, the reason why we are hearing a lot with Miller’s name is that [the Rangers] don’t want to give him term. They’ve indicated if they sign him to an extension, it’s not a long-term extension, and that’s why his name is out there,” Friedman explained.

Friedman is more skeptical about rumors that the Rangers could move Alexis Lafreniere, who struggled this past season after he signed a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension.

“Lafreniere, to me, is an interesting one,” Friedman said about the 23-year-old forward. “That contract, if he even comes close to the level where he’s capable of performing at, that’s going to be a really good contract. So, I find that whole thing pretty interesting.”

Lafreniere, of course did break out with 28 goals and 57 points in 2023-24 before regressing this past season. His $7.45 million cap hit fits snugly now, but will be less of a big deal when the salary cap increases significantly in 2026-27.

“Lafreniere, I’ll tell you, I get pushback on it,” the Sportsnet reported indicated. “If Lafreniere is available it’s not widely known.”

Related: Chris Kreider makes classy exit from Rangers, expresses ‘gratitude for how I was treated’

Elliotte Friedman believes ‘Rangers do make teams nervous’ when it comes to offer sheets​

J.J. Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres — Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

The Rangers aren’t expected to be in on the top unrestricted forwards in free agency, Mitchell Marner and Sam Bennett, no matter how much money they free up before July 1. There are rumors linking New York to Los Angeles Kings UFA defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, though.

Making hockey trades — not just ones to shed salary — are also options for Drury this summer. But what intrigues Friedman most is the possibility that the Rangers could target a desired restricted free agent, like Buffalo Sabres high-scoring forward J.J. Peterka, with an offer sheet.

“I think it’s really interesting how the Rangers aren’t really upset to have the words ‘offer sheet’ connected to them,” Friedman explained. “Some teams really try to downplay that [possibility]; the Rangers don’t seem to be that concerned about downplaying it. They want people to know that they’re coming.

“One guy that the Rangers are believed to really like is Peterka. The Sabres have made it very clear that they’re not interested in trading him. They prefer not to do it. Buffalo’s got a ton of cap space, so you’re looking at that and saying that in theory they could match no problem. But if you’re serious about it, what do you do to make that harder?”

Friedman went on to explain that if the Rangers really wanted a certain RFA, they could include expensive bonuses in the offer, making it, theoretically, more difficult for a team to match.

“You can still put poison pills like signing bonuses in (a contract), and the Rangers have the financial ability to do that,” he stated. “I think the Rangers do make teams nervous. We’ll see if it’s real or just a fake.”

No matter what route Drury and Co. take, hockey people expect the Rangers to be among the busiest teams this offseason.

“They want to be aggressive. “

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...r-chris-kreider-trade-aggressive-nhl-insider/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers could consider these USNTDP centers in 2nd round of 2025 NHL Draft

Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesGeoff Burke-Imagn Images

We know how much the New York Rangers and their general manager Chris Drury love drafting players from the United States National Team Development Program. So, could they tap into the USNTDP again in this year’s draft, whether or not they keep their first-round pick (No. 12 overall)?

The Rangers have the 11th pick in the second round (No. 43 overall) and very well could fill an organizational need by targeting one of two centers from the USNTDP.

Let’s take a look at those draft prospects: William Moore and Cole McKinney.

Related: Get to know newest Rangers prospect Carey Terrance after trade with Ducks

William Moore ​

USNDTP – 6 foot-2, 174 pounds

The Canadian native is a dual citizen who selected Team USA for U-18 development, making him a USA Hockey member for the rest of his career.

Originally played in the GTHL with two probable first-round picks Michael Misa and Malcolm Spence on a loaded Mississauga Senators roster before heading to the Toronto Marlboros. From there he moved over to USNDTP, where he fit in seamlessly.

The big left-handed two-way center scored 27 goals this past season with the U-18 team and finished second on the team with 59 points in 64 games. He followed that up at the World U18’s with three goals and 11 points in seven games.

Moore, a Boston College commit, is really good at stripping the puck away from opponents in transition to go on the attack with it. From there he’s a really savvy puck-possession player that can make you pay in many ways. For this reason, he may not make it past the 30s on the draft board.

He’s got a great set of moves to beat goalies on a breakaway and uses his size very well to be a bumper-slot player on the power play, one who can pick a top corner clean off a one-timer. Also uses that size to win board battles and hold the puck behind the net to find the open man.

While consistency has been an issue, Moore had at least a point in each game at the World U18s and finished the regular season in solid fashion.

When you talk about combine interviews, you have to imagine this is a kid that did himself some favors. Moore is really mature and carries his smarts on the ice as a very reliable and trusted player.

Moore was one of few players to take a Facetime on NHL Network for their recent prospect rankings. He told Sam Consentino with a smile on his face when asked about him sliding down rankings this season until the end of year, “Obviously the goal was to have a standout performance at the final tournament and I feel I did so. Yeah, there was a bit of ups and downs throughout the year. But I finished strong and I’m proud of the way I handled it.”

As a side note, Moore played piano and violin at Carnegie Hall in elementary school for a national competition, and continues his musical journey to this day.

On the ice, Moore compares as a Tomas Hertl-lite even once he puts on some weight. Maybe more of an Alex Wennberg type. He should be a serviceable middle-six NHL center one day.

Projected timeline to the NHL: 3-4 Years

Cole McKinney​

USNDTP – 6-feet, 198 pounds

Who led the United States U-18 in scoring this season, you ask? Cole McKinney, who finished the season with 27 goals and 61 points in 60 games.

The Michigan commit is projected to go anywhere from the mid-20s to pick No. 50 depending on which draft expert you trust most. The average pick projection catches our eye because it’s No 42 overall, right near where the Rangers are set to pick in the second round.

The right-handed center, who had three goals and five points in seven games at the World U-18 tournament, is a dual threat. He plays both special teams, excels in the face-off circle, and has great hands to match his great release.

Previously, he had a shooting percentage of 23 percent with the Chicago Mission in the USHL. He’s capable of scoring from far out in stride but can use his hands to embarrass opponents as well as goalies. He’s a great skater to match his hands and shot.

When it seems like there isn’t room to, MicKinney finds a way. He can take a broken play in front of the net confidently and put it upstairs fast with a slight flick of the wrist.

McKinney is very smart and poised on his offside half wall on the power-play. If there is pressure, he has the quick burst and acceleration you look for in smaller players to generate space for himself.

Where some centers with skill like that tend to play wing, especially when smaller in stature, McKinney seems to have all the intangibles to still be a middle-six center, likely a solid third-liner in the NHL. His versatility in skillset while not necessarily excelling at one thing gives off Shane Pinto vibes. Solid on draws, very good in all three zones and can beat you in different ways without necessarily cheating the game.

With so many centers in this draft, there is a strong possibility he’s still around at No. 43 for the Rangers. Especially if they don’t keep the 12th overall pick, this could be a solid start for them.

Projected timeline to the NHL: 3-4 years

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ole-mckinney-usntdp-2nd-round-2025-nhl-draft/

 

[New York Rangers]

Top 10 players chosen 12th overall this century ahead of Rangers pick in 2025 NHL Draft

Jim Cerny

The No. 12 overall pick in the NHL Draft belongs to the New York Rangers this year, and although it may not carry the same hype as a top-three selection, history shows players selected at that slot often have productive careers.

Still, the pick hasn’t always brought glory. For New York Ranger fans, the name Hugh Jessiman may ring a bell. Drafted 12th overall in 2003, Jessiman never played a single game for the Blueshirts and is often labeled as one of the biggest first-round busts in franchise history.

That unpredictability is what makes picks in this range so interesting. A selection just outside the top 10 can bring just as much reward or regret, depending on scouting, development, and maybe just a little bit of luck.

Now, with the Rangers once again holding the No. 12 pick in this year’s draft, it’s the perfect time to look back at some of the biggest hits taken 12th overall since 2000.

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

*This list is not ranked by best to worst. Players are listed in chronological order based on their draft year.

Marc Staal — New York Rangers — 2005​

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Marc Staal was selected 12th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2005 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut October 4, 2007 against the Florida Panthers and stayed in the NHL for the remained of his 17 year career.

Staal played 13 seasons with the Rangers, appearing in 892 regular-season games and totaling 188 points. He reached a career-high 29 points in 2010-11 and played in a top-four defensive role throughout his tenure in New York. Staal played over 23 minutes per game during multiple seasons and appeared in 72 or more games seven times for the Rangers. He ranks fourth all-time in games played by a Rangers defensemen.

Staal was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 2020 and spent two seasons with the organization. He reached a career milestone, his 1,000th NHL game on March 12, 2022. Staal signed with the Florida Panthers in 2022 and played all 82 games during their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023. His final season was spent in Philadelphia with the Flyers. He officially retired in September 2024 and joined the Rangers as a player development assistant.

Over his career, Staal played in 1,136 regular-season games, racking up 53 goals, 181 assists, and 234 points, with a +52 plus-minus rating. Staal added 107 postseason games to his resume, helping the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 and the Panthers in 2023.

Bryan Little — Atlanta Thrashers — 2006​

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Bryan Little was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2006 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut in October 5, 2007, and scored in his first game — becoming the first Thrashers player to do so. In his second season, Little broke out with 31 goals and 51 points, earning a spot in the 2009 NHL YoungStars Game.

Following the team’s relocation to Winnipeg in 2011, Little remained a key piece of the Jets organization. He reached the 20-goal mark five times and recorded a career-high 64 points in 2013-14. Little averaged over 17 minutes of ice time per game and was a regular on both the power play and penalty kill units.

Little finished his career in 2020 ranked second in Thrashers/Jets history in games played (834), third in assists (304), and fourth in points (521). He also played in every single one of the Jets’ first 27 playoff games, tallying 12 points. He was a two-time Dan Snyder Memorial Award recipient, which recognizes a Winnipeg Jet who “best embodies perseverance, dedication and hard work without reward or recognition, so that his team and teammates might succeed.”

Ryan McDonough — Montreal Canadiens — 2007​

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Ryan McDonagh was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2007 NHL Draft and was traded to the Rangers in 2009 before making his NHL debut in 2011. He suited up for 40 games as a rookie, scoring one goal and eight points with a plus-16 rating.

Over the next seven seasons, McDonagh became a staple on New York’s blue line. He notched a career-high 43 points in 2013-14 and was Rangers captain from 2014 to 2018. “Mac Truck” played in 516 regular-season games for New York, typically in a top-pair role. He recorded 238 points and a +146 rating during his Rangers tenure and played in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.

McDonagh was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning ahead of the 2018 deadline and instantly became part of their core. He helped the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021. McDonagh has appeared in a total of 196 playoff games, recording 68 points and averaging over 24 minutes per game.

After a trade to the Nashville Predators in 2022, McDonagh was reacquired by Tampa Bay in 2024. He reached the 1,000-game milestone on March 27, 2025. Through the 2024-25 season, McDonagh has played in 1,010 regular-season games, with 80 goals, 340 assists, and 420 points. He has appeared in two NHL All-Star Games (2016, 2017).

Tyler Myers — Buffalo Sabres — 2008​

Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Tyler Myers was chosen by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2008 NHL Draft. He made his debut in 2009-10 and won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year, when he scored 11 goals, had 48 points and played all 82 games. He led all rookies in TOI (23:44 per game) and assist (37)s, and led Sabres defensemen in goals, assists, points, and blocked shots.

Myers led Buffalo defensemen in scoring again in 2010-11 with 37 points, and tied for the team lead in game-winning goals with five. Injuries limited his availability the next season, but he stayed prominent on the Sabres’ blue line through the 2014-15 season. He was traded to the Jets on February 11, 2015, in a multi-player deal that included Evander Kane.

Myers tallied 15 points in 24 games, helping the Jets reach the postseason after getting traded. He led the team in ice time during their 2015 series against the Anaheim Ducks, averaging 24:23 per game. Myers played five seasons with the Jets and recorded a 36-point season in 2017-18, once again playing in all 82 games.

On July 1, 2019, Myers agreed to a five-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks. He played 82 games in his inaugural season with the team, and was a regular contributorat both ends od the rink. In 2023-24, he helped Vancouver return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After the conclusion of the season, Myers signed a three-year extension with the Canucks in June 2023 and played in his 1,000th NHL game on October 19, 2024.

So far, Myers has played 1,066 regular-season games in the NHL, recording 99 goals, 296 assists, and 395 points. he also played in 61 playoff games, adding 16 points.

Calvin de Haan — New York Islanders — 2009​

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Calvin de Haan was selected 12th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2009 NHL Draft after they traded up twice to acquire him. He made his NHL debut Dec. 15, 2011, but it wasn’t until the 2013-14 season that he became a regular in the Islanders lineup. That season, he appeared in 51 games and recorded 16 points, averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game. Over five seasons with the Islanders, de Haan established himself as a solid defensive defenseman.

In 2018, he signed a four-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes as a free agent. De Haan played just one season in Carolina before he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in June 2019. In three years with Chichago, de Haan played 142 games.

He returned to the Hurricanes for the 2022-23 season, then signed one-year deals with Tampa Bay (2023-24) and Colorado (2024-25). On March 1, 2025, de Haan was traded to the Rangers. He played only three games and was a healthy scratch the rest of the season.

The 34-year-old has played 679 regular-season games, with 24 goals and 149 points, along with 39 playoff appearances.

Cam Fowler — Anaheim Ducks — 2010​

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Cam Fowler became the fourth straight quality defenseman selected 12th overall when the Anaheim Ducks snagged him in the 2010 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut at age 18 on Oct. 8, 2010, and scored his first NHL goal the following night. Fowler played 76 games as a rookie and led all defensemen in his draft class in games played, and finished second among rookie defensemen with 40 points. He’s the youngest defensemen in NHL history to score a power-play goal in three consecutive games and remains the only Ducks rookie defensemen to record 10 goals and 40 points in a season.

Fowler reached a career high with 48 points in 2021-22 and posted double-digit goals in three separate seasons. On Nov. 4, 2018, he recorded his first NHL hat trick in an overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Fowler played in his 1,000th NHL game on Dec. 31, 2024, becoming the first player in NHL history to do so during an outdoor game — which was played at Wrigley Field.

He was traded to the St. Louis Blues just weeks earlier, ending a 15-season tenure with the Ducks during which he became the franchise’s longest -tenured player and ranked second all-time in games played behind Ryan Getzlaf.

The 33-year-old has 105 goals, 388 assists , and 493 pints in 1,042 NHL games. He also was selected to the NHL All-Star Game in 2017 and represented the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Max Domi — Phoenix Coyotes — 2013​

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Max Domi was selected 12th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2013 NHL Draft and made his debut on Oct. 9, 2015. He finished third among rookies in scoring during the 2015-16 season with 52 points in 81 games. Domi played three seasons in Phoenix before he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 2018.

In his first season with Montreal, the son of popular Rangers alum Tie Domi tallied career highs in goals (28), assists (44), and points (72), leading the Canadiens in scoring and finishing with a plus-20 rating. He totaled 153 games over two seasons with the Canadiens before he was traded to the Blue Jackets in 2020. Domi played two seasons there, generating 56 points across 107 games.

In March 2022, Domi was traded to the Hurricanes as part of a three-team deal. He later signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2022-23 season, where he tallied 49 points in 60 games. Domi was traded to the Dallas Stars before the 2023 trade deadline and recorded 13 points in the 19 regular-season games with them. Domi added another 13 points in the Stars’ run to the Western Conference Final that year.

On July 3, 2023, Domi signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs and ended with 47 points over the 80 games he played. He then signed a four-year extension with Toronto in June 2024 and followed it up with a 33-point season, Through 735 regular-season games in the NHL, Domi has 450 points and 706 penalty minutes as an agitating two-way forward.

Martin Necas — Carolina Hurricanes — 2017​

James Guillory-Imagn Images

Martin Necas was selected No. 12 by the Hurricanes in the 2017 NHL Draft and became a full-time player in the League during the 2019-20 season. In his first full year, Necas recorded 36 points in 64 games. He set a career high in 2022-23 with 71 points, but dropped to 53 points in 2023-24. He added nine points in the Hurricanes’ playoff run that spring which was halted by the Rangers in the second round.

Necas signed a two-year, $13 million contract extension with Carolina on July 29, 2024. In the first half of the 2024-25 season, Necas led the NHL with 22 points in November and was named the League’s First Star of the Month. However, the 26-year-old was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on January 24, 2025, in a three-team deal that included the Blackhawks and sent forwards Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to Carolina. He scored 27 goals this past season and has 20 or more in each of the past three seasons.

About to enter his seventh full NHL season, Necas has 124 goals, 202 assists and 326 points in 442 games. He’s also played 66 playoff games, totaling 35 points on 12 goals and 23 assists.

Noah Dobson — New York Islanders — 2018​

Tom Horak-Imagn Images

Noah Dobson was picked by the Islanders in the 2018 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut on Oct. 8, 2019. The skilled defenseman scored his first NHL goal Jan. 14, 2020, and assumed a full-time role on the Islanders in 2020-21.

Dobson broke out with 51 points in 80 games during the 2021-22 season and exploded into stardom with 60 assists and 70 points two years later. However, he dipped badly this past season with a disappointing 39 points in 71 games.

The 25-year-old has 230 points in 388 regular-season games with the Islanders, including 83 on the power play. In postseason play, Dobson has appeared in 31 games across four seasons, contributing 10 assists.

Matthew Boldy — Minnesota Wild — 2019​

Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Matthew Boldy was selected 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Draft. After recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the 2021 preseason, he made his NHL debut on Jan. 6, 2022, scoring a goal in a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins. The skilled forward finished his rookie season with 39 points in 47 games and a plus-17 rating.

In 2022-23, Boldy scored 31 goals and signed a seven-year, $49 million contract extension midseason. He followed with back-to-back strong seasons, posting 69 and 73 points over the next two years. Through four NHL seasons, Boldy has appeared in 285 regular-season games, notching 102 goals and 142 assists, with 82 power-play points and 24 game-winning goals.

Boldy’s 2025 playoff performance marked a turning point in his career. He scored five goals and added two assists in the Wild’s six-game series loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Boldy found himself playing over 25 minutes per night, assuming a larger role, and delivering. With a growing role and elevated expectations, the 24-year-old has emerged as a young star in the NHL.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...s-chosen-12th-overall-this-century-nhl-draft/

 

[New York Rangers]

New York Rangers Daily: Chris Kreider trade grade podcast; Oilers face goalie decision for Game 5

James Guillory-Imagn ImagesJames Guillory-Imagn Images

There’s one thing I failed to mention on the latest RINK RAP podcast when handing out grades for the Chris Kreider trade between the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks: this deal really can’t be properly assessed until we know what the Blueshirts do with the extra salary-cap space they gained by offloading Kreider’s $6.5 million AAV.

Everything else I discussed on the podcast about the trade still stands and supports a B+ grade for the Rangers. It’s an immediate success because they gained valuable cap room. And for a team looking to change a core that’d grown stale, moving Kreider was imperative, not to mention the path of least resistance considering he didn’t have Mika Zibanejad’s full no-move clause. It also removes a cloud that hung over the Rangers since November, when Kreider’s name leaked from Drury’s infamous trade memo to the 31 other NHL GMs.

Yes, Kreider very well may score, say, 30 goals this season in Orange County. In fact, I hope that he does. On a personal level, I want to see Kreider crush it with the Ducks, where I do believe he’ll be an excellent fit on a largely-young team seeking to take that next big step as a playoff contender.

As of right now, the Rangers easily surrendered the best player in the deal, considering most experts see Carey Terrance (whom New York received from Anaheim) as a future bottom-six center, at best, in the NHL.

But it’s how the Rangers use that extra cash that’s most important in this trade. In a way, trading Kreider was the easy part of the equation, all emotions aside. What happens next is what’s more difficult. More deals to accrue more salary cap space? Actual hockey trades, not just salary dumps? Maybe take a swing or two in free agency?

Stay tuned.

And please check out the RINK RAP podcast on YouTube or give it a listen here.

New York Rangers news​

Carey Terrance — GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Rangers are “prepared to be aggressive” with more moves this offseason after trading Chris Kreider.

Not surprisingly, the classy Kreider took the high road in his initial public comments after he was traded by the Rangers.

Our Eric Charles has an in-depth breakdown on the newest Rangers prospect, center Carey Terrance.

Here’s a walk down memory lane with a breakdown of Kreider’s top moments with the Rangers.

NHL news and rumors​

Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

NHL.com: Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers takes place Saturday night in Edmonton. The best-of-7 series is tied 2-2, and already it’s being called as a “classic.”

Sportsnet: The Oilers have not named their starting goalie for Game 5, and Mark Spector breaks down why it’s a uniquely difficult decision choosing between Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner.

Sportsnaut: The decision to pull Skinner down 3-0 after the first period was among the key takeaways from their thrilling 5-4 overtime win in Game 4.

Sportsnaut: Leon Draisaitl (again) scored the OT winner in Game 4, and headed the list of winners and losers from that epic contest.

NHL.com: Great story here by Dan Rosen, sharing how Jaromir Jagr so profoundly influenced the career of Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.

TSN: “Holy Mackinaw!” Legendary Toronto Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen will retire following the 2025-26 season.

Daily Faceoff: Could the NHL return to Atlanta in the not-so-distant future? Well, that could be more likely now that Forsyth County approved the concept of a $3 billion entertainment complex that would include an NHL arena.

TSN: The Boston Bruins made an under-the-radar trade, acquiring Victor Soderstrom, the Swedish Hockey League’s defenseman of the year, from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Sportsnet: Offer sheets could be in vogue this offseason; Sportsnet breaks down which restricted free agents could be targeted with offer sheets.

The Athletic ($$): With Brock Nelson signing with the Colorado Avalanche, the Minnesota Wild are likely less likely to trade young center Marco Rossi.

New Jersey Hockey Now: James Nichols does a solid job detailing how the Devils could make a shrewd move by targeting the salary cap challenged Avalanche.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...r-trade-grade-podcast-oilers-goalie-decision/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why these Rangers could play in 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, including Mika Zibanejad

Rob Schumacher-Imagn ImagesRob Schumacher-Imagn Images

Just because the New York Rangers were shut out by all 12 countries when each submitted the first six players included for the preliminary rosters at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics, doesn’t mean the Blueshirts won’t be representing on the biggest world stage in February.

A look at the most recent best-on-best international tournament shows that the Rangers should have several players heading overseas to participate in the next Winter Olympics. The Rangers had six players, including Chris Kreider, who was traded last week to the Anaheim Ducks, take part in the 4 Nations Face-Off four months ago.

Unlike the 2022 Beijing Olympics, when the NHL opted out due to being “materially disrupted as a result of increasing COVID cases and a rising number of postponed games,” NHL players will compete in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan will serve behind the bench for United States, after also doing so at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He isn’t the only Blueshirt staff member likely headed to Milan, since assistant David Quinn, who was Team USA’s head coach during the 2022 Olympics and an assistant at the 4 Nations, is a strong candidate to join the American staff for 2026.

There’s still time for players to elevate their stock ahead of the 2026 Games. With no official deadline announced for final roster selections, each country will continue to evaluate talent well into next season. A strong start in 2025-26 or injuries to projected players could also open the door for late additions.

Let’s break down which Rangers have the best chance of taking part in the 2026 Olympic Games.

Related: Rangers not done after Chris Kreider trade, ‘prepared to be aggressive’: NHL insider

USA​

Adam Fox​

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Adam Fox, the 2021 Norris Trophy winner, has established himself as one of the top defensemen in the NHL and should play a major role for Team USA in Milan. Fox has a long history representing the United States, most recently competing at the 4 Nations Face-Off, when he was one of the first six players named to the squad. He appeared in the 2019 IIHF Men’s World Championship and played a huge role in back-to-back World Junior tournaments, winning gold in 2017 and bronze in 2018. His first international stint began with a standout performance at the 2016 Under-18 World Championship, where he led all defensemen in scoring and was named Best Defensemen of the Tournament.

Since debuting with the Rangers in 2019, he has racked uo 369 points in 431 games and has logged top-pair minutes against the League’s best players night in and night out. Fox won the Norris Trophy in just his second season — joining only Bobby Orr to do so. Fox has proven he can do it all: lead transition rushes, direct the power play, and shut down top lines.

However, Team USA general manager Bill Guerin was blunt about why Fox wasn’t among the first six players selected this time, replaced by forward Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators.

“The impact that Brady had on the team [at 4 Nations] and his role in how we play, that was a big part of it,” Guerin said Monday. “Adam, his tournament was fine. It wasn’t as well as he could’ve played. His season wasn’t up to his standards, but he’s very much in the mix [to make the Olympic team]. This is just a list we had to come out with, and I just felt more comfortable with Brady on it this time around.”

J.T. Miller or Vincent Trocheck​

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

David Kirouac-Imagn Images

With Team USA’s forward depth among the best in the world, roster spots are extremely limited. Therefore, Rangers teammates J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck may be fighting for a single opening on the roster. Miller has an impressive international resume, having represented the U.S. at multiple levels. He played in the 2011 Under-18 Worlds, where he led the team in scoring with 12 points in six games en-route to a gold medal. The following year, he tallied four points at the 2012 World Juniors before leading Team USA to gold at the 2013 World Junior Championships, when he tied for the team lead in points (9) and led all American skaters in assists (7). Miller later played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and also in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Miller brings versatility and offensive upside, being able to play both center and wing.

Trocheck, meanwhile, brings a similar skill set centered around defense, grit, and reliability, to go along with solid offensive production. He’s great in the face-off circle, a solid penalty killer, and is a hard-nosed forward. He made his international debut at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Tournament, and like Miller, Trocheck was part of the gold-medal winning 2013 World Junior team and also appeared in the 2014 IIHF Men’s World Championship. Trocheck played for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he showed the ability to make a difference on the ice without scoring. While it’s uncertain if both players will make the final cut, the coaches expected to lead Team USA are already behind them on the Rangers bench, keeping a close eye.

Canada​

Will Cuylle​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Will Cuylle’s rise with the Rangers has started to translate onto the international stage. He recently competed for Canada in the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship. The 23-year-old recorded two goals and two assists in eight games, showing the same physicality that made him a staple in the Rangers lineup.

“We see the same thing, big, physical, skates, all-around player,” Canada head coach Dean Evason said during the tournament. “His presence moving forward, his physicality, will be a big part of our success.”

Cuylle mostly played a fourth-line role, but Evason wasn’t afraid to shuffle him up in the lineup — giving him some shifts with superstar Nathan MacKinnon. As games went on, Cuylle grew more confident, showing that he can adapt at the highest level. With a long history in the Hockey Canada system — U-17, U-18, and World Juniors, Cuylle faces stiff competition but has a shot at cracking Canada’s stacked Olympic roster in 2026, likely in a bottom-six role.

Alexis Lafreniere​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Alexis Lafreniere‘s Olympic chances might come down to one simple factor: which version of him shows up next season. If the 2023-24 version returns — the confident, aggressive top-six winger who posted career highs with 28 goals and 57 points — he absolutely belongs in the Team Canada conversation. But if his 2024-25 season is any indication, he’s a long shot at best. Lafreniere regressed this past season, totaling 17 goals and 45 points in 82 games, and finished with the second worst plus minus rating on the team (minus-13). The inconsistency along with trade rumors cast real doubt on his trajectory heading into next season.

Still, Lafreniere was MVP of the 2020 World Junior Championship, when he led Canada to the gold medal. Lafreniere has shown flashes of high-end skill and playmaking that once made him the most sought-after prospect in hockey. If he can regain form early next season, whether with the Rangers or elsewhere, he could find himself in contention for a roster spot with Canada.

Sweden​

Mika Zibanejad​

Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Regardless if he’s wearing a Rangers jersey come the 2025-26 season or not, Mika Zibanejad is as close to a guaranteed Olympic selection as it gets. A consistent top-line center and fixture on Sweden’s national teams, Zibanejad brings leadership and experience to a country that values structured, two-way play. His shot, playmaking ability, and 200-foot game makes him a perfect fit for Sweden. He was among their first players named to the 4 Nations a year ago, but not this time for the Olympics following a disappointing all-around season. But he’ll be in Milan in February, no question.

Related: Rangers rumors: Mika Zibanejad trade speculation picks up after Chris Kreider deal

Finland​

Jusso Parssinen​

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Juuso Parssinen may not be a household name yet, but the 24-year-old forward could be a depth option for Finland at the Olympics, especially since he can play center or on the wing. Acquired by the Rangers from the Avalanche Colorado ahead of the 2025 trade deadline in a deal that also brought Calvin de Haan and two draft picks in exchange for Jimmy Vesey, Ryan Lindgren, and Hank Kempf, Parssinen showed some skill in limited action. He played 11 games with New York to close out the season, recording two goals and three assists (all in his final two games) despite averaging just under 10 minutes per game.

Though his sample size was small, Parssinen showed that he can contribute in a bottom-six role. He also has experience playing in Finland’s system, which was in full display at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship, when Parssinen made a big impact. He scored three goals and had five points in eight games. In a dramatic comeback win over Canada, he scored the overtime game-winner, a moment he called “the biggest goal I’ve ever scored for the country.”

No Olympics for Rangers stars Igor Shesterkin and Artemi Panarin​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Due to the International Olympics Committee’s ongoing sanctions, Russia is banned from competing in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics. As a result, Igor Shesterkin and Artemi Panarin are ineligible to participate in the Olympics.

If any two Rangers players would be locks for the 2026 Olympics, it’s these two. Unfortunately, we won’t see either taking part in the Winters Games next February.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/2026-winter-olympics-projecting-rosters/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist wistful watching Panthers celebrate Cup win: ‘makes me miss the game so much’

Andy Marlin-Imagn ImagesAndy Marlin-Imagn Images

As the Florida Panthers lifted the Stanley Cup after winning Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, former New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist sat alongside his NHL on TNT colleagues, taking in the moment.

Lundqvist never had the chance to celebrate winning a Stanley Cup championship over 15 seasons with the Rangers, though the Hockey Hall of Famer did help Sweden win the gold medal at the 2006 Torino Olympics. The closest he got to winning it all in the NHL was in 2014, when the Rangers lost to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Final in five games, three of which were decided in overtime.

But the personal bonds Lundqvist forged with teammates during his Rangers tenure came to mind and made “The King” somewhat wistful as he watched the Panthers celebrate their latest championship together.

“I haven’t played in five years,” Lundqvist said. “Every year that goes by, you get more separation from the game, but when I listen to them talk about their group, the locker room, it makes me miss the game so much.”

Like most athletes, it was never just about the competition, holding the spotlight, or even winning championships for Lundqvist. What he misses most now is the brotherhood formed inside the locker room.

“There’s no better feeling than to be on a team where you feel like you’re playing for each other,” he added. “It’s not enough to just have great players, you need that feeling you’re playing for each other. I just get goosebumps when I hear them talk.”

Related: Rangers not built like champion Panthers, but do have emerging identity line led by Matt Rempe

Rangers legend ‘might want to go skate tomorrow’ after watching emotional Stanley Cup celebration​

As if on cue, the Panthers displayed their tight bond when it was time to pass the Stanley Cup after it was presented to captain Aleksander Barkov by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Instead of Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett or any one of a number of Panthers stars that could’ve been deservedly first in line, Barkov handed it to veteran defenseman Nate Schmidt, a first-time Cup winner.

From there, Schmidt handed it to top-four defenseman Seth Jones, another first-timer acquired ahead of the trade deadline. He, in turn, handed it to veteran forward Tomas Nosek. You guessed it, another first-time NHL champion.

In all, 10 first-timers skated with the Stanley Cup, including five who weren’t even in the lineup for the decisive Game 6, before third-string goalie Evan Cormier placed it in the hands of Sergei Bobrovsky.

“The first guys who touched the Stanley Cup were the guys that hadn’t won it before,” coach Paul Maurice explained postgame. “Some of those players never played in a [postseason] game, but they’re all part of it. That’s the Barkov effect in our room. He loves everybody. Everybody’s a part of it.”

Lundqvist broke it down even further for the TNT audience as the Cup made its rounds on the ice at Amerant Bank Arena.

“That’s why we start playing the game as kids, too,” Lundqvist said. “Yeah, we love the competition. But we love doing it together in a great group. I just absolutely love it. I might want to go skate tomorrow.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...wistful-watch-panthers-stanley-cup-celebrate/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Simon Wang, Kurban Limatov are worth Rangers consideration in 2nd round of 2025 NHL Draft

Aaron Doster-Imagn ImagesAaron Doster-Imagn Images

When the New York Rangers are on the clock in the second round of the NHL Draft next week, they very well could be considering one of two, big, left-shot defensemen, one from China, the other from Russia.

It’s certainly worth getting to know Simon Wang and Kurban Limatov, since each should be on the Rangers radar.

Let’s take a closer look.

Related: Intriguing prospects Mason West, Jack Murtagh could be Day 2 options for Rangers at 2025 NHL Draft

Haoxi “Simon” Wang ​

(Oshawa Generals) 6-foot-6, 212 pounds

Wang started last season in the OJHL with the King Rebellion and had four goals and 22 points in 38 games. After that, he moved up to the OHL with Oshawa and recorded two assists in 32 games and three more in 21 playoff games.

The Boston University commit will decide to join them next season or play one more season in the OHL to build his game and confidence.

Even with those middling offensive numbers, Bob McKenzie and several analysts have him as a first-round talent, and most mock drafts have him going early in the second round. Scott Wheeler, in fact, has him as the 43rd ranked prospect, which is when the Rangers select in the second round.

The towering defenseman from Beijing may be the most intriguing player in the draft, per McKenzie. He was raised in China and moved to North America at 14 to pursue a hockey career. Wang could eventually become the first China-born and raised player to sign an NHL contract one day.

His father works in the Chinese government and his mom owns and operates as many as five rinks in China where he learned to skate. He didn’t play organized hockey until he came to North America, which is an accomplishment in itself.

To make sure he played in the OJHL, his mother purchased the Brantford 99ers, and the investment paid off with his promotion to the OHL.

Most teams have kept tabs on what is sure to be a project with low-risk, high-reward written all over it. Wang is an incredible skater for his size and not afraid to use that size to impose fear in his opponents. He makes sure they feel it every time he throws his weight around.

Not playing organized hockey until he was a teenager makes Wang a prospect that could take a while to get to the NHL level. With his natural abilities, patience should pay off with proper development.

Wang isn’t likely to be a big-time scorer, but his effortless ability to separate himself in stride, decent hands and that heavy shot release could still make him a force one day.

He may never be more than a Niko Mikkola-type player, but all 32 teams likely would take that from a second-round pick, if they’re willing to be patient with his development.

Projected timeline to the NHL: 4-5 years

Related: Rangers could consider these USNTDP centers in 2nd round of 2025 NHL Draft

Kurban Limatov​

(HC Dynamo) 6 foot-3, 198 pounds

Analysis from Elite Prospects 2025 NHL Draft Guide:

“Limatov is a big, mobile defenseman that plays aggressively on both sides of the puck to impose himself every game. He’s a truly impressive mover, blending jaw-dropping fluidity for a player his size while also bringing plenty of explosiveness. He escapes forecheckers on breakouts with ease, then transports the puck across the neutral zone through crossover-heavy rushes. It helps that he’s also very strong physically, employing a strong base and ideal depth throughout his stride.”

The big Moscow-born defensemen is as smooth as it comes for a sturdy, reliable young prospect. Very poised and effective in how he defends in the defensive zone with his reach and controlled physicality. Yet, always ready to start or join the rush once he takes away the puck.

Deceiving when he first starts skating with the puck in his own end, but once he decides his path, is very confident in protecting the puck. He can simply weave through players on a breakout, or at times pull off a smooth spin-a-rama to create space to advance the puck.

When at the point in the offensive zone, very agile on his skates to keep pucks in and move it around to establish possession time for his team. Never sacrifices defense for offense, but can create a scoring chance very effectively with his skating and subtle stick-handling ability.

Limatov knows just when to pinch in transition or off a cycle to receive a pass and get a shot through screens to find the twine. Off the cycle, he can pull a quick audible to do so as well when the play may not even look like it’s there.

His confidence holding the blue translates to someone who likely could shift to the right side if necessary, making him an attractive and safe draft pick for whoever selects him.

This past season he played mostly in the Russian Junior Hockey League for the Dynamo organization’s entry, finishing with eight goals and 23 points in 46 games. Limatov was called up to the KHL to play one game with the Dynamo, where he should play more games next season. Time’s on his side since he just turned 18 in March.

A solid comparable is Mattias Ekholm of the Edmonton Oilers. May not even notice how effective Limatov is but, for his age, plays a very mature and responsible game. Don’t see a reason he doesn’t become at least a solid bottom-pairing defenseman.

Projected timeline to the NHL: 4-5 years

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...matov-consideration-2nd-round-2025-nhl-draft/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Rangers ‘are going to get better with David Quinn coaching the defense’: Pierre McGuire tells Forever Blueshirts

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

On one hand, Mike Sullivan bringing his top assistant and longtime friend with him to the New York Rangers makes complete sense. The fact that David Quinn returns to the Rangers after he was fired as their head coach four years ago, though, raises a some eyebrows.

Semantics aside, NHL insider Pierre McGuire believes Quinn’s return in a support role behind the bench will be a great benefit to the Rangers, when they try and rebound from a dismal showing this past season.

In particular, McGuire sees the Rangers defense corps benefitting greatly under Quinn’s supervision next season.

“David teaches defense really well. David teaches puck movement very well. David’s really good at communicating with players,” McGuire told Forever Blueshirts on the RINK RAP podcast. “Sometimes when you’re the head coach stuff gets lost in the wash because of stuff you say to the media or the way you discipline a player, the way you sort out ice time. He doesn’t have to worry about that any more. He doesn’t need to talk to the media any more. He doesn’t need to worry about the ice time he’s doling out to the forwards because his expertise level is working with defensemen.

“So, he’s going to be much more comfortable there. I think David is going to fit in really well.”

As he did last season working under Sullivan as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Quinn will be in charge of the defensemen with the Rangers. That’s his sweet spot and comfort zone, being a former defenseman himself.

Quinn is well respected for his ability to teach and should be able to do more of that in this role as opposed to when he was the Rangers head coach from 2018-21 — though it should be noted that he did help bring along many young players during that time when the Rangers were in the thick of a rebuild. Adam Fox, for one, won the Norris Trophy as top NHL defenseman in 2020-21, his second season in the League, under Quinn’s watch.

To be blunt, the Rangers defense was a complete mess this past season. The mind-numbing turnovers and mistakes and blown coverages were too numerous to count and a major reason why the Rangers missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in four years.

Perhaps it was the man-to-man defensive system. Perhaps there was a disconnect between coach Peter Laviolette, assistant Phil Housley and the players themselves. Either way, McGuire sees Quinn as one who can help fix what ails the Rangers defensively.

“Something happened in New York last year where guys didn’t get better,” McGuire said. “K’Andre Miller didn’t get better. Braden Schneider didn’t get better. Adam Fox, for Adam Fox, had a pretty pedestrian year. … Something happened and the Rangers need to fix that. And I think David Quinn can be that guy.

“But I do know one thing, guys are going to get better with David Quinn coaching the defense.”

Related: Rangers not built like champion Panthers, but do have emerging identity line led by Matt Rempe

Pierre McGuire believes David Quinn will be ‘great assistant coach for the New York Rangers’​

Andy Marlin-Imagn Images

Of course, there’s that small detail that Chris Drury fired Quinn in his first major move after he was named general manager in the spring of 2021. And Quinn was not shy about going public with how pissed he was by the decision.

“That was a crazy year, there was so many things going on behind the scenes,” Quinn revealed at the time on the Cam and Strick Podcast. “That being said, in my conversations with the Rangers before I got let go I asked one question, ‘Did we overachieve, underachieve, or do what we should’ve done this year,’ and the answer I got was, ‘We probably overachieved a little bit.’”

“Then I said, ‘What the f*** are we talking about!’”

Clearly, Sullivan is the buffer here. He wanted Quinn, his college teammate at Boston University, on his Rangers staff and Drury, another BU alum, didn’t stand in his way.

“Mike’s got a lot of power there,” McGuire noted.

As for the Quinn – Drury relationship? Who knows where it stands. And perhaps it doesn’t matter in the big picture. Everyone’s got the same goal here. Though, from the outside, it does feel a bit uncomfortable. But, as stated, that’s from the outside.

“It’s going to be a difficult line for David to walk, but if you take stuff personally in the National Hockey League, you’re not going to last very long ,” McGuire explained. “You have to have a pretty strong mind and be resilient, and if you are strong of mind and resilient, you can flip the switch and be a very competent person at the position they’ve given you.

“I’ve known David 40 years, he’s as mentally strong as anyone I know. He’s an amazing hockey resource … He was a phenomenal coach wherever he went. I think he’ll be a great assistant coach for the New York Rangers, I really do.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...quinn-coaching-defense-better-pierre-mcguire/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why NHL podcaster believes Rangers are closer to winning Stanley Cup than Oilers

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final served as another reminder of just how critical goaltending remains in today’s NHL. Despite their offensive star power, the Edmonton Oilers came up short for the second year in a row against the Florida Panthers in part because their goalies — Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard — were badly outplayed by Sergei Bobrovsky.

Perhaps you really do get what you pay for when it comes to big-game goalies in the NHL. This Cup run by the Panthers again reinforced why investing in a world-class goaltender like the Rangers did with Igor Shesterkin is essential.

“This is more about talking about why having an elite Hall of Fame goaltender — and I know not everybody can be a Hall of Famer — this is why, when Igor Shesterkin — you know — stomps his feet and wants to be paid a shitload of money with the leverage that he had, that’s why you do it,” Colby Cohen said on a recent Daily Faceoff podcast.

“Like, to me, the New York Rangers are closer to winning a Stanley Cup than the Edmonton Oilers are if the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltenders are Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.”

"The #NYR are closer to winning a Stanley Cup than #LetsGoOilers are if the Oilers goaltenders are Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard."

– @ColbyCohen36

Presented by @bet365ca #NeverOrdinary #bet365 pic.twitter.com/0tce25aVoX

— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) June 18, 2025

Skinner started five of the six games in the Cup Final, was pulled in two of the starts and benched in Game 5, which Pickard started and lost. Skinner’s struggles were a key storyline in the Final. He allowed at least three goals in each of his starts and 19 in total, only once finishing a start with better than a .900 save percentage (Game 1 overtime win).

After Skinner was pulled 3:27 into the third period of a 6-1 loss in Game 3, he was yanked again in Game 4 after allowing three goals on 17 shots in the opening period. Pickard came in to relieve Skinner, and led the Oilers to a 5-4 overtime comeback win. Pickard’s performance in Game 4 earned him the start in Game 5, but Skinner returned for Game 6 and was badly outplayed by Bobrovsky. Skinner finished the series with a .851 save percentage, not championship-level play.

Bobrovsky had a save percentage under .905 in just one game, and allowed three goals in the final two games after the series was tied 2-2. That doesn’t even get into the amount of huge saves he made, especially early in games when the Oilers pushed but the Panthers routinely scored first.

Related: New York Rangers Daily: Brad Marchand trolls Blueshirts; Connor McDavid future; Stars make moves

Sergei Bobrovsky, Igor Shesterkin prove spending big on No. 1 goalie pays off​

Igor Shesterkin is Rangers backbone​

James Guillory-Imagn Images

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Last fall, the Rangers made a long-term, big-money investment in Shesterkin. The star goalie agreed to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension that carries an annual cap hit of $11.5 million through 2033, the largest contract for a goalie in NHL history.

But for a 29-year-old in his prime and already regarded as one of the League’s elite, it was a price the Rangers front office had no hesitation paying.

Since debuting with the Rangers in 2019-20, Shesterkin has played 274 regular-season games, compiling a career 2.52 goals-against average, .917 save percentage, and 21 shutouts. His 2021-22 Vezina Trophy season is still one of the most dominant goaltending campaigns in New York Rangers history, with 36 wins, a 2.07 GAA, .935 save percentage, and six shutouts.

But it’s in the playoffs where Shesterkin’s value truly shines. In 44 career postseason starts, he owns a 2.41 GAA and .928 save percentage. Few performances were more memorable than his 79-save performance in Game 1 of the 2022 Eastern Conference First Round against the Pittsburgh Penguins — a franchise record for most saves.

Of course, it should be noted that the Rangers lost that game in triple overtime. And brings to mind how many times his brilliant play simply gave the Rangers a chance during the postseason, notably in the 2024 Eastern Conference Final against the Panthers. Though outplayed pretty much the entire series, Shesterkin kept the Rangers in each of the six games before they succumbed and lost the series.

Even in seasons where his numbers have regressed some — like this past season (2.86 GAA, .905 save percentage in 61 games) — Shesterkin outright steals games, erases defensive breakdowns, and keep the Rangers afloat in nearly every single game.

Florida’s $10 million payoff with Sergei Bobrovsky​

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

And if there was ever a blueprint to justify that kind of contract, it’s been on display the past three springs, when Bobrovsky led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final each season, and the championship in consecutive years. Bobrovsky, carrying a $10 million cap hit of his own, once again delivered exactly what a true No. 1 goaltender is paid to do. Florida’s investment paid off with back-to-back championships, and the Rangers are hoping that their investment in Shesterkin will do the same.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ason-goalie-better-chance-stanley-cup-oilers/

 

[New York Rangers]

NHL insider shares another crucial reason why Rangers not looking to trade Mika Zibanejad

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn ImagesDennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

If it already wasn’t enough that his wife revealed information that should squash speculation Mika Zibanejad will be traded by the New York Rangers this summer, then perhaps another key piece of intel should silence the rumors.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Rangers have not asked Zibanejad to waive his no-move clause. That’s important because the Rangers can’t make any transaction involving Zibanejad unless they get the player’s approval.

On the flip side, the Rangers approached Chris Kreider about amending his partial no-trade list shortly after the 2024-25 season ended. Kreider was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, a team originally on his no-trade list, last week for prospect Carey Terrance and a swap of mid-round draft picks.

Larry Brooks reported in The New York Post that Zibanejad was one of several veteran players kept in the loop about Kreider’s situation before the trade was finalized. That’s another sign Zibanejad is staying put with the Rangers.

“Obviously, there’s been a lot of news, conjecture, and speculation around him,” Friedman said about Zibanejad on the 32 Thoughts podcast. “I poked around and this is what I can tell you: he has not been asked to submit teams or waive [his no-move clause]. Remember, he has control over this. He has the no-move clause, nothing could happen without Zibanejad’s control or approval. He has not been asked to submit teams or waive.”

Zibanejad has zero interest in leaving New York. He made that abundantly clear on breakup day, pointing to the protection in his contract, which pays him $8.5 million annually for he next five seasons. His no-move clause becomes a partial no-trade in 2029-30, the final season of the deal.

So, despite playing a large role in the Rangers’ miserable 2024-25 season, Zibanejad most likely will be part of the core trying to get the team back on track next season. Whether Zibanejad does so playing center or right wing is up to new coach Mike Sullivan.

The Rangers would benefit greatly if the 32-year-old regains his mojo. Remember, he scored 39 goals and totaled 91 points just a couple of years ago before cratering with 20 goals and 62 points this past season.

Related: K’Andre Miller overwhelming choice to be next Rangers player traded after Chris Kreider deal: poll

Mike Sullivan visit another sign Rangers not planning to move Mika Zibanejad​

Speaking of Sullivan, Zibanejad’s wife Irma shared in an Instagram post this past week that the Rangers coach visited the couple in their native Sweden. She did so to quiet the noise from rumors that have — in her words — “zero truth.”

Friedman saw this as another reason why the Rangers won’t be trading the 10-time 20-goal scorer anytime soon.

“His wife said on Instagram the other day that Mike Sullivan had flown out there to Sweden to meet with him,” Friedman said. “That doesn’t happen unless that is the initial goal here. Sullivan wouldn’t take all that time, the Rangers wouldn’t send him out there if their goal was to get rid of the player.”

Just because it appears Zibanejad will be back next season doesn’t mean the Rangers are done wheeling and dealing after the Kreider trade. For one, there are numerous reports stating the Rangers are weighing trade offers for restricted free-agent defenseman K’Andre Miller. Others could also be on the block after general manager Chris Drury made it known he’s looking to shake up the roster this offseason.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...edman-crucial-reason-no-trade-mika-zibanejad/

 

[New York Rangers]

K’Andre Miller overwhelming choice to be next Rangers player traded after Chris Kreider deal: poll

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

Most hockey experts and fans agree that the New York Rangers are not done wheeling and dealing after trading Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks last week. So who’s most likely to be moved next by the Rangers?

Forever Blueshirts asked fans that exact question in a recent poll on social media. And there was one overwhelming choice by the nearly 1,000 people who responded.

Defenseman K’Andre Miller received a whopping 78.3 percent of the vote. Whether that’s a reflection of recent rumors, his actual trade value, or the fans’ collective wish that he be dealt, this poll clearly showed that it would actually be a surprise if Miller is back on Broadway next season.

Interestingly, veteran center Mika Zibanejad finished second — albeit a distant second — with 15 percent of the vote, despite his wife trying to quiet the trade-rumors noise when she disclosed that Rangers coach Mike Sullivan visited the couple in Sweden recently.

Leading scorer Artemi Panarin and former first-overall draft pick Alexis Lafreniere also received votes.

“Moving Mika and K Miller would a huge move in the right direction,” Pete McCormick commented. “Keep Panarin until the trade deadline, depending on where they are at that point, for a decent haul. Give Lafreniere one more year under ‘Sully’ to see if he can live up to his expectations.”

Related: Why NHL podcaster believes Rangers are closer to winning Stanley Cup than Oilers

Rangers fan poll has clear choice as to which player will be traded next​

K’Andre Miller​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

General manager Chris Drury may not have a bigger nor more complex and important decision to make this offseason than whether to trade Miller or sign him to a lucrative contract extension. The inconsistent 25-year-old defenseman is a polarizing player, so perhaps it’s no surprise that he led this fan vote by such a wide margin.

Miller is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, so is due a healthy raise after being a top-four mainstay on the blue line for several years. However, his numerous positive attributes, including a 43-point season in 2022-23, are offset by a questionable hockey IQ, some horrendous decision making on the ice, and declining production (27 points this season).

Though the Rangers are close to the salary cap, money isn’t the biggest issue with Miller. The Rangers are more concerned about the length of a potential contract. Simply, they’re leery about investing long-term in this player.

The thing is, Miller’s impressive skill set is intriguing to other teams, who could believe that the former first-round pick may just need a fresh start or a chance to thrive under their own coaching staff. It’s widely believed the Rangers could land a sizeable return if they trade Miller, even as his departure would create a big hole on the defense corps.

“Miller’s got to go, turnover machine, shy’s (sic) away from contact and shot blocking is non existent. Dump em,” Stephen Cummins emphatically responded in the poll.

The people have spoken, and it’s not even close. They believe Miller will be the next Rangers player traded this offseason.

Mika Zibanejad​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Though Miller dominated the fan vote, Zibanejad still pulled 15 percent of the response. Zibanejad’s been included in trade speculation throughout the offseason — not necessarily because the Rangers are actively shopping him, but because of the major role he played in this past season’s debacle, when the Rangers underperformed and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in four years.

Zibanejad still brings plenty of upside as a top-six center or right wing, but his questionable effort this past season, mopey demeanor, and declining production (62 points last season) heightened trade speculation. However, Zibanejad was adamant he would not waive his full no-move clause to facilitate a trade when speaking to the media at breakup day. He absolutely wants to remain in New York, and has the means in his contract to stay.

So, even though many fans want and/or expect Zibanejad to be traded, all signs say the 32-year-old will remain an integral part of the core moving forward.

“I’m hoping we trade KM and MZ. I don’t wanna see Lafreniere moved. Might as well keep Panarin, and see how he does. If we’re outta the playoff picture, trade him at the deadline,” Chris Semsey shared. “I feel like we’ll have a decent amount of cap space without trading Lafreniere, so long as Mika gets moved.”

Alexis Lafreniere & Artemi Panarin​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

While Miller and Zibanejad were at the center of fan speculation, Lafreniere and Panarin barely registered on the poll, combining for less than seven percent of the vote, despite being listed as options. It should also be noted that other players, such as defenseman Zac Jones, were not listed as options, but still could be traded this summer.

There’s been some trade chatter about Lafreniere, but nothing of real substance. After a breakout season in 2023-24 when he posted 28 goals and 57 points, he took a step back this past season with 17 goals and 45 points. Lafreniere will be 24 next season and it’s likely Sullivan will want to work with the former top overall pick to bring out the best in him.

As for Panarin, there’s virtually no trade rumors. Panarin remains one of the few true untouchables on the Rangers roster, considering his massive contract, full no-move clause, and elite production. Many who took part in the poll did suggest moving him ahead of the trade deadline, especially if the Rangers are not in a good spot and don’t plan on re-signing the pending UFA.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...poll-kandre-miller-next-player-traded-rumors/

 

[New York Rangers]

Intriguing late bloomers among Day 2 options for Rangers at 2025 NHL Draft

Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesBrad Penner-Imagn Images

Barring any trades, the New York Rangers will make eight selections on Day 2 of the 2025 NHL Draft, when Rounds 2-7 take place Saturday. In recent history, they’ve done well finding diamonds in the rough in the later rounds and will look to do so again, despite the fact that any player drafted outside of the first round has less than a 30 percent chance of even making it to the NHL.

The Rangers have fared well stockpiling their prospect pool in recent years by unearthing several solid Day 2 players. In 2020, for example, the Rangers landed Will Cuylle late in the second round, and proceeded to select Brett Berard in the fifth round and Matt Rempe in the sixth round. Top goalie prospect Dylan Garand was take in the fourth round by the Rangers that year, too. The year before, the Rangers landed Zac Jones in the third round and Adam Edstrom in the sixth round.

The Rangers will need similar Day 2 success this year, especially if they surrender the No. 12 overall pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Here’s some prospects to keep an eye on during Day 2 of the 2025 NHL Draft.

Related: Why Simon Wang, Kurban Limatov are worth Rangers consideration in 2nd round of 2025 NHL Draft

Matthew Gard: ( C ) ​

Red Deer (WHL) 6 foot-4, 192 pounds

NHL.com analysis from Mike Morreale:

“Center, with a robust physical game, and specializes in shutting down the opposition’s best players- but there are flashes of more. 36 points in 66 games with Red Deer (and 81 PIM), but he looked great at the U-18’s, with 4 points in 7 games. Should be picked in the second [round].”

Not the biggest of swings, but the upside is very apparent for someone who down the road could be considered a first-round talent in a re-draft. Not the most explosive player, but has great control for a kid of his size.

Game is very stable with flashes that he can be dominant. Reliable with or without the puck in all three zones. Knows how to use his size to get through opponents with enough jump in his step to do so. Also has great hands in transition, behind the net, and driving the net, which at that physical stature, can punish any opponent trying to get in his way.

Very solid net-front presence and has no problem taking blows to finish the play. Could see him right in the Chris Kreider ne- front spot on the power play. May mock drafts, including The AThletic, have him going to the Rangers with the No. 43 overall pick.

Kristian Epperson: (LW) ​

Saginaw (OHL) 5 foot-11, 180 pounds

Analysis from NHL Central Scouting associate director David Gregory:

“He just plays a really solid game in all zones with an excellent compete level. Obviously, to play with No. 1 center Michael Misa all year long, and stay on that line and be a contributor, showed all aspects of his game.”

This draft re-entry put up 80 points in 58 games, with 87 PIM, and was plus-45. While he didn’t hear his name called last year, he appears assured of being selected this year.

Sure, the Rangers have plenty of left wingers, but this player proved he could play with elite talent (Misa), while having the mindset of a honey badger. Does anyone want to see such a player fall to the Panthers, or whoever drafts Misa even?

Incredibly crafty with the puck on his stick and relentless without it. A guy that can play up and down your lineup, and simply hates to lose. Willing to do all the dirty work it takes to win come postseason.

The University of Denver commit is ranked No. 47 in Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters.

Sam Laurila: (LHD) ​

Fargo (USHL): 6 foot-1, 191 pounds

Analysis from NHL.com Mike Morreale:

“No. 65 in Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters; he was No. 148 in Central’s final ranking in 2024. Regarded as a stay-at-home defenseman, he led Fargo with 33 assists and tied for the team lead with 41 points in 57 games. The 18-year-old is committed to play at the University of North Dakota next season.”

Analysis from NHL Central Scouting associate director David Gregory:

“He plays an excellent puck-retrieval game and is excellent on breakouts, whether he has to carry the puck or can find an open man on the move. It’s a skill that’s really sought after at the next level, so I think the fact you’re seeing that from him and his ability to create chances on the attack make him a very intriguing option in this draft.”

Could be an intriguing left-shot d-man for Rangers to consider. Will play on the same North Dakota team as defenseman EJ Emery, New York’s first-round pick last year.

Luke Mistelbacher: (RW) ​

Swift Current (WHL): 6-foot-0, 196 pounds

Analysis from NHL.com Mike Morreale:

“No. 93 in Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters; he was No. 119 in 2023-24. The 19-year-old led Swift Current with 42 goals, 93 points and 13 power-play goals in 67 games this season.”

One thing the Rangers have none of now and in the future is pure goal scorers who shoot right-handed. Can do worse than someone who is a year ahead of the curve after teams passed on him last spring.

Well-rounded players are great, but eventually you’re going to need to score goals as the core continues its transition. Between all the kids we’ve seen take strides this season, the only right handed winger is Matt Rempe … that area could use a player like Mistelbacher.

Adding this from Central Scouting’s Tim Campbell: “He’s a player who should have been drafted last year. Since Christmas of last season, he was one of the Western Hockey League’s top scorers, and he’s finished top 10 this year (eighth). Luke is a highly skilled, good skater, and he already possesses an NHL-caliber shot.”

Niklas Nykyri: (LHD) ​

HIFK (FIN): 6 foot-2, 190 pounds

Analysis from NHL.com Mike Morreale:

“A left-shot defenseman, had eight points (one goal, seven assists) and a plus-4 rating while averaging 9:32 of ice time in 31 games with HIFK in Liiga, Finland’s top professional men’s league. The 19-year-old is No. 40 in Central Scouting’s ranking of International skaters.”

Not only is this player a year ahead of most players that will be selected at this year’s draft, he’s also been defending against men in Finland’s top league. With that experience, someone should certainly be willing to take a chance on the unfinished product with a stable upside.

NHL director of European Scouting Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen said, “Niklas has shown steady growth throughout the season, transitioning well to the Liiga level after recovering from a lengthy injury. While not a flashy player, he’s a mobile, smart and reliable two-way defenseman with solid puck-moving skills and good vision. Physically, he holds his own but still needs to improve his first-step quickness, defensive battle strength and overall aggression.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...-bloomers-among-day-2-options-2025-nhl-draft/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers chip away at offseason to-do list, sign Adam Edstrom to 2-year contract

Jim Rassol-Imagn ImagesJim Rassol-Imagn Images

With the NHL Draft coming up this weekend and the start of free agency a week away, the New York Rangers took care of another piece of offseason business Monday when they re-signed Adam Edstrom to a two-year contract.

The 6-foot-7 forward, who could have been a restricted free agent July 1, reportedly will receive $1.95 million over the two years with a salary-cap hit of $975,000. It’s the same deal Matt Rempe agreed to last week. Those two are expected to flank center Sam Carrick on the fourth line this season.

In the past eight days, the Rangers have locked up three of their pending RFAs, each with two-year bridge deals. Defenseman Matthew Robertson re-upped late last week, a two-way deal the first year and a one-way deal worth the League minimum in 2026-27.

Another pending RFA, forward Jusso Parssinen, agreed to a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Rangers on May 2.

Edstrom played the first 51 games this past season before he sustained a lower-body injury Feb. 1 that required surgery. He missed the rest of the season, and the Rangers failed to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in four years.

The 24-year-old had nine points (five goals, four assists) and 27 penalty minutes, averaging 9:16 TOI, prior to the injury. He scored three goals in his final 10 games played, two of which were game-winners. That was Edstrom’s best stretch of the season, and coincided when Rempe permanently joined the fourth line following his eight-game suspension for boarding Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen in late December.

“I really felt like we got going there at the end — me, ‘Remps’ and Carrick — we found something really good,” Edstrom explained on breakup day. “So, it’s always tough to miss time, but it’s one of those things that happens, it’s part of the sport, but I’m excited to come back strong.”

Edstrom had an outstanding training camp and preseason, effectively beating Rempe out for a regular spot in the lineup to start this past season. The native of Sweden, who was New York’s sixth-round pick (No. 161 overall) in the 2019 draft, had played 11 NHL games in 2023-24 and scored two goals.

“I’m proud of the season I had, coming into camp and making the team, playing all the games before I got injured,” He explained. “Ups and downs, of course, but I felt like we found something at the end there. So, that’s kind of what I’m taking with me.”

Related: Rangers have budding identity line with Twin Towers Matt Rempe & Adam Edstrom

Rangers still have plenty of work to do this offseason​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Rangers general manager Chris Drury has been busy already this offseason but there’s plenty more work to be done. He quickly took care of the low-hanging fruit by signing the four young RFAs, and made a major move when the Rangers traded Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks two weeks ago.

New York must still decide whether to re-sign or trade RFA defenseman K’Andre Miller, and to a less-urgent extent have the same decision to make with Zac Jones. And the Rangers need to work out a new contract with forward Will Cuylle, an RFA who scored 20 goals last season. RFA forward Arthur Kaliyev is also due a contract.

On top of that, Drury and Co. must decide by Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET — 48 hours before the start of the draft — whether to send this year’s first-round pick (No. 12 overall) or next year’s unprotected first-round to the Pittsburgh Penguins to meet conditions of the J.T. Miller trade from Jan. 31.

After the Edstrom signing, the Rangers have approximately $12.2 million in available salary-cap space. Drury reportedly is still looking into freeing up more room before NHL free agency begins July 1.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...to-do-list-sign-adam-edstrom-2-year-contract/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers face brutal reality, few appealing options to fix left side of defense corps

Brad Rempel-Imagn ImagesBrad Rempel-Imagn Images

There’s a big difference between the New York Rangers saying they need to make changes to an area of their roster and actually being able to do it.

To his credit, general manager Chris Drury has certainly been determined to remake this team, given the wealth of significant player moves he’s made since the 2024 offseason — ones that ruffled some feathers in the dressing room but hasn’t cowed the GM in the least. More transactions, potentially big ones, are sure to follow with the NHL Draft and the start of free agency looming.

Yet Drury’s desire to transform the Rangers identity through personnel changes is going to be limited by limited salary-cap space ($12.2 million currently) and the reality of what options are available — and whether pursuing any of those represents a sound course of action. Such is the case with the left side of New York’s defense corps, which has the potential to become a significant weak spot next season.

The fact of the matter is this: Drury, who’s looking to turn the defense into a more physically imposing and just plain more competent unit, doesn’t have a farm system brimming with young, NHL-ready defenders. The free-agent market is thin and sure to be overpriced, as free agents always are, and the trade route is likely to bring back perhaps solid but older players who wouldn’t represent long-term solutions.

Related: K’Andre Miller overwhelming choice to be next Rangers player traded after Chris Kreider deal: poll

Potential K’Andre Milelr trade is biggest factor in blue-line uncertainty​

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The catalyst for all of this, of course, is the uncertain status of K’Andre Miller, the uber-talented but inconsistent 25-year-old. Since being drafted 22nd overall in 2018, he simply hasn’t done nearly enough to convince the current front-office regime that he’ll develop into a linchpin player who can anchor the left side of the defense for years to come.

Miller, who has taken steps backward in the two seasons since what looked like a breakout 43-point effort in 2022-23, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. Drury has exhibited no sense of urgency to this point to get Miller signed long term, and rumors have swirled that the Rangers will trade him and his tantalizing skillset that comes with persistent mental and physical mistakes — and little of the physicality the GM is looking for — this summer. A recent report that new coach Mike Sullivan isn’t a fan of Miller’s game adds to the intrigue over whether the University of Wisconsin product has played his last game in a Rangers sweater.

If the team does move on, it must find someone to replace Miller’s nearly 22 minutes per game in a top-four role. Considering the fact that the Rangers still lack a consistent top-pair partner for star blueliner Adam Fox, the GM will have even more significant work to do if he decides to send Miller elsewhere and doesn’t get back an up-and-coming left-side defender in the deal.

If Miller is traded, the Rangers might be in the market for not one but two top-six left-side blueliners. Achieving that goal feels like a tall order. After Miller, Carson Soucy is presently New York’s other top-four option on the left side. Not exactly comforting.

Unrestricted free agency offers a couple of possible solutions, none of which qualify as close to ideal. The best of the bunch is Vladislav Gavrikov, the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder who brings size, bite and mobility, and who on paper would be the perfect running mate for Fox. Gavrikov is coming off a strong season for the Los Angeles Kings, having finished with five goals, 25 assists and a career-best plus-26 rating.

However, Gavrikov is 29 and likely will be able to command a maximum seven-year deal from suitors other than the Kings. Gavrikov will get a nice raise from his $5.875 million salary-cap hit last season, and that is the kind of contract that generally doesn’t age well. Do the Rangers want to go back down a road they’ve traveled far too many times, to predictable results?

The second-best option is probably Ivan Provorov, who had a nice 2024-25 season for the Columbus Blue Jackets (33 points, plus-11) and is extremely durable, having played every game the past three seasons. He’s a year younger than Gavrikov and should cost a little less in AAV, but the 6-1, 213-pounder profiles as a second-pair defender. How much would the Rangers be willing to pay for that? Provorov carried a $6.75 million cap hit last season.

Beyond Gavrikov and Provorov, there’s Dmitry Orlov (who would be available for less money and term because he’ll play next season at 34 years old), former Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (not going there) and a cast of middling possibilities who don’t exactly stir the imagination.

Related: NHL insider shares another crucial reason why Rangers not looking to trade Mika Zibanejad

Rangers lack solid defenseman prospects​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The inability to develop viable left-side defensemen over the years has also contributed significantly to the current predicament. The Rangers re-signed Matthew Robertson, a second-round pick in 2019 who’s 6-4 and 211 pounds, to a two-year, $1.55 million extension on June 20. However, the 24-year-old has generally struggled in the AHL and was unable to break through to the NHL until the end of last season, when he appeared in two games and played well on a pairing with Fox. Perhaps, he’s a late-bloomer, but Robertson seems to profile more as a depth defender at this point and a long-shot possibility to seize a more regular role.

There’s also Zac Jones, the offensively talented but smallish blueliner who’s played relatively well in 77 games over the past two seasons. At 5-11 and 190 pounds, though, the third-round selection in 2019 is at best a third-pair defenseman who may never be able to defend adequately enough to stick in a lineup consistently. He also expressed major dissatisfaction at his lack of regular minutes this past season — and as another RFA with arbitration rights, seems like a candidate to be moved this summer.

There are trade targets, though none is particularly compelling as anything other than stopgap measures. Perhaps the best way to attack the problem solves two issues: Move right-hand shot Braden Schneider to the left side, where he thrived in limited duty early last season. Doing so would allow the 2020 first-round pick to potentially grow as Fox’s partner — or at least, a second-pair stalwart — and get him off the third pair, which is currently his spot behind Fox and Will Borgen on the right side.

Having moved up three spots in the draft to select the physical Schneider, the Rangers have too much invested in him to play him 15-16 minutes a night against opponents’ third and fourth lines. Allowing Schneider to languish on the third pair isn’t an efficient use of the player and would probably stunt his development as he enters his fifth season.

For better or worse, Drury has made strides in switching up the look and tone of his team. But he faces one of his biggest roster challenges when it comes to the left side of the blue line — one that will require creativity and potentially a lot of money and might prove to be unsolvable, given the largely unappetizing paths forward.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ppealing-options-fix-left-side-defense-corps/

 

[New York Rangers]

NHL insider provides Jarome Iginla reason why Rangers shouldn’t give up on Alexis Lafreniere

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

With Chris Drury doing his best to shake up the New York Rangers roster this offseason, it appears that Alexis Lafreniere is one player the general manager wants to keep on Broadway. Lafreniere’s name has been absent from most credible trade rumors, and the Rangers seem to be counting on the 23-year-old forward to bounce back next season after a downturn in production during the 2024-25 campaign.

NHL insider Pierre McGuire believes that’s the correct course of action for the Rangers. Though many in the League are split on Lafreniere’s future impact, McGuire compared him to Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.

“I know people are going to say, ‘C’mon, no way McGuire, you’re out of your mind,’ but go watch the development of Jarome Iginla when he was in Calgary out of Kamloops. There was a lot of this (arrow pointing up), there was some of this (downward) and a lot of plateau … it’s hard for young players to dominate,” McGuire told Forever Blueshirts on the RINK RAP podcast.

“Lafreniere reminded me so much of Jarome Iginla at the same age. Now Jarome took off and became a Hall of Fame player, Lafreniere is not there yet, there’s a long way for him to go.”

The Rangers forward has had his fair share of fits and starts since he was selected first overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. Lafreniere scored 12 goals in 56 games as a rookie during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, then had 19 the following campaign. Two years later, Lafreniere established NHL career highs with 28 goals and 57 points; and he topped off his breakout season by tying for the Rangers lead with eight goals in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games that spring.

But rarely is a player’s development a straight line up, as McGuire referenced with Iginla. So, too, it was for Lafreniere, whose production dropped to 17 goals and 45 points this past season, despite some decent underlying metrics.

So, about that comparison to Iginla, who was selected No. 11 overall by the Dallas Stars in the 1995 draft and traded to the Calgary Flames before his rookie season in 1996-97. Keep in mind that there was more scoring in the NHL 30 years ago, the game was played and officiated differently. Iginla had 21 goals and 50 points as a rookie, but dipped significantly the next season (13 goals, 32 points), to McGuire’s point.

Over his first five NHL seasons, Iginla scored 20+ goals four times, including 31 in 2000-01. Lafreniere has done so once, just missing with 19 goals in 2021-22. Interestingly, in their age-22 seasons — for each, his fourth year in the League — Iginla and Lafreniere had very similar stats. Iginla had 29 goals and 63 points in 1999-2000 and Lafreniere had those 28 goals and 57 points mentioned earlier in 2023-24.

READ MORE: Rangers send No. 12 pick in 2025 NHL Draft to Penguins: instant analysis

This isn’t an apples to apples comparison, but it is a very interesting one. Iginla, of course, went on to score 625 goals, now tied for 16th most in NHL history with Sidney Crosby and Joe Sakic. His 1,300 points are 38th all-time. He had 12 30+ goal seasons, including 50 or more twice.

That’s to say Lafreniere has a long way to go to earn a fair comparison one day with Iginla.

But McGuire’s point stands. There are ups and downs for almost every young highly-touted player, not named Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin. If you believe in the player, then ride out the roller coaster and hopefully get rewarded.

Clearly, Drury and the Rangers believe in Lafreniere, who spent most of the past two seasons in the top six playing alongside superstar Artemi Panarin and veteran Vincent Trocheck. They made a long-term commitment to Lafreniere last October, with a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension which kicks in next season.

So, it shouldn’t be surprising that the Rangers hold on to Lafreniere, even as they shuffle pieces around him.

Related: Rangers eye ‘consistency over volatility’ with possible defensemen moves, per report

Rangers must find out ‘what happened to Alexis Lafreniere last season?’​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Though not quite as big nor physical as Iginla (6-foot-1, 210 pounds), Lafreniere (6-2, 196) draws some similarities in his play, which McGuire also pointed out.

“I think he (Lafreniere) has to be one of those players who dominates board play and dominates slot play. Because with his size and strength … that’s what he needs to do,” McGuire stated. “What Jarome did really well, dominated the boards, dominated with his shot and he dominated in the slot, he was really unbelievably strong physically,

“I think Alexis can be that guy, but he’s got to prove it every day. Those guys have to do it every single day and if they don’t, then it becomes a problem.”

Consistency is certainly an important area for Lafreniere to improve on. With the team transitioning, especially since Panarin is on the final year of his contract, the Rangers absolutely need more consistent production from Lafreniere. It doesn’t need to be Iginla-like production — though, that wouldn’t suck — but solid, consistent production at or near the top of New York’s scoring leaders year after year moving forward.

McGuire views this as a critical offseason for Lafreniere and the Rangers, after that trainwreck of a season in 2024-25, when they missed the playoffs for the first time in four years.

“The biggest thing with the Rangers is that there’s got to be some internal evaluations on hard questions,” McGuire noted. “Why didn’t a lot of our guys get better, especially our younger guys? What happened to Alexis Lafreniere last season? That’s got to be asked. … A lot of those young guys didn’t take that next big step last year and they need to.”

Should Lafreniere be the answer to a lot of their questions, the Rangers should be in a good place next season.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ome-iginla-reason-why-keep-alexis-lafreniere/