In this edition of NHL Wraparound’s Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect one of the most dramatic collapses in recent NHL memory: the New York Rangers.
Just one year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the Rangers became only the fourth team in league history to miss the playoffs the following season. From special teams regression to star players disappearing and internal drama erupting midseason, the Broadway Blueshirts became a cautionary tale.
This episode unpacks the offseason roster shakeup—highlighted by the exit of longtime fan favorite Chris Kreider, the addition of top-pair defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, and a new head coach with a Stanley Cup pedigree: Mike Sullivan.
Will it all be enough to turn things around? Or are the Rangers slipping into rebuild territory?
🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:00] One year removed from the Presidents’ Trophy—miss the playoffs
[00:35] Special teams collapse: Power play 28th, PK slipped too
[01:00] Offseason moves: Gavrikov signs (7 yrs, $7M AAV), Radish added, Morrow acquired
[01:30] Key departures: Chris Kreider (traded to Anaheim), Ke’Andre Miller, Zach Jones
[02:15] Resigned: Will Cuylle (2 yrs, $3.9M AAV), Matt Rempe returns
[02:45] Forwards outlook: Panarin down 30 points, Zibanejad worst +/- on team
[03:30] Laffy’s Last Chance? Lafrenière expected to start in top 6
[04:30] Depth signings: Offman, Perreault, Barard all knocking on the door
[05:30] Defensive overhaul: Only Adam Fox remains from ‘24 top 4
[06:15] Gavrikov joins Fox; Schneider, Susie, and Bogdan fill out the blue line
[07:30] Shesterkin remains the ace—can he save them again?
[08:00] Mike Sullivan hired: Can he be the coach that finally clicks?
[09:00] The bar is high. The leash is short. The pressure is real.
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The Rangers are in transition, but not in a full rebuild—yet.
Chris Kreider’s departure marks a new chapter, and there’s a leadership void.
Panarin and Zibanejad must return to elite form—or risk wasting Shesterkin’s prime.
The defensive group is a patchwork, built around Adam Fox and a lot of question marks.
Mike Sullivan’s coaching legacy will be tested. Can he revive this team or is the clock already ticking?
🎯 FINAL WORD:
The Rangers have talent. They have pedigree. And they have one of the best goaltenders in the league. But with a new coach, major roster turnover, and a brutal Eastern Conference bubble, it’ll take more than just Madison Square Garden magic to punch a ticket to the postseason.
This team needs to overachieve—and Mike Sullivan has no time to ease in.
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🎤 Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
📘 Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/
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