The New York Rangers had a disappointing 2024-25 season, finishing with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. With significant changes expected in the offseason, including a top-five draft pick, the team aims to re-tool for a better future.
Key points
New York Rangers finished 2024-25 with worst Eastern Conference record
Mike Sullivan hired as new head coach
Team has third-best lottery odds for NHL draft
Key players underperformed, impacting team performance
Rangers aim to re-tool for better future
Mentioned in this story
Mike SullivanJT MillerMika ZibanejadAlexis LafreniereAdam Fox
2026 NHL draftNew York Rangers
The New York Rangers (34-39-9) were expected to bounce back after a disappointing 2024-25 season. They hired former Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss Mike Sullivan as their coach and signed Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. With a full season of JT Miller, and guys like Mike Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, and Adam Fox having disappointing seasons, the hope was for them to rebound to the form they showed in the 2023-24 season, when they made the Eastern Conference Finals.
Instead, the team cratered. They sank to the worst record in the Eastern Conference, with rumors of locker room turmoil all around. Nearly everyone on the team became trade fodder by the 2026 NHL trade deadline, but outside of Artemi Panarin and Carson Soucy, they held on to all of their trade chips.
After the trade deadline, they had some stretches of a better team, but a six-game losing streak in the middle of March dashed their chances. They have the no. 3 best lottery odds, so theyāre guaranteed a top-five pick. That will hopefully cap off what could be a crazy offseason for the Rangers.
Q&A
What were the New York Rangers' final standings in the 2024-25 season?
The New York Rangers finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 34-39-9, placing them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Who did the Rangers hire as their new head coach for the 2026 offseason?
The Rangers hired Mike Sullivan, formerly of the Pittsburgh Penguins, as their new head coach.
What are the Rangers' lottery odds for the upcoming NHL draft?
The Rangers have the third-best lottery odds, guaranteeing them a top-five pick in the upcoming NHL draft.
Which key players underperformed for the Rangers in the 2024-25 season?
Key players like JT Miller, Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, and Adam Fox had disappointing seasons for the Rangers.
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How do the Rangers re-tool?
New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (10) and center Mika Zibanejad (93).
New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (10) and center Mika Zibanejad (93).
General manager Chris Drury infamously sent a letter out to Rangers fans discussing the teamās plan after this season. Drury wants the team to re-tool and potentially push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
To me, the team desperately needs a rebuild, but with Igor Shesterkin in net and some of the talent they have on immovable contracts, it was unlikely theyād pivot towards that. Still, itās definitely easier said than done.
The free agency market has thinned out due to several superstars (Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprisov, Martin Necas) signing extensions, but there are some decent players available. Alex Tuch would be a great player to slot on the first line. He fits the Rangersā style of being gritty, and heās scored over 30 goals in three of the past four seasons.
The trade market will be lively too. Auston Matthews, Jason Robertson, and Pavel Dorofeyev could be available. However, the New York Rangers donāt have a ton to give up in return, with their young forwards molding into more bottom-six types instead of top-six talents. There is one player that they could dangle in trade talks.
It was a surprise to many that the New York Rangers didnāt trade center Vincent Trocheck at the 2026 trade deadline. Trocheck seemed well-aware of a departure, and there were several teams on the market that couldāve used his services.
Trocheck is still a great top-six center, notching 16 goals and 37 assists through 67 games. However, the Rangers were looking for young talent vs. draft picks. Considering the organizationās checkered development record in the past (i.e. Kaapo Kakko), the Rangers acquiring young quality talent seems reasonable.
Drury believes the market for Trocheckās services should expand over the summer, especially with the 32-year-old centerās no-trade list shrinking from 12 to 10. We could see Trocheck traded around the draft or during July 1st, especially with the lack of center talent in free agency.
Vincent Trocheck isnāt the only name to watch in trade talks. 24-year-old defenseman Braden Schneider, who is a restricted free agency this upcoming season, could get trade interest.
Teams talked to the Rangers about Schneider before the trade deadline, but Drury declined to make a deal. Schneider is valued in the organization for his strong character and defensive abilities. Still, thereās definitely a market for him if the Rangers canāt agree on a new deal with him.
The San Jose Sharks seem like a logical destination, considering they need young defensive talent and have plenty of forward talent. The Tampa Bay Lightning could as well. Theyāre looking for a young defenseman with Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh getting up there in age, and Darryn Raddysh is also a pending UFA.
