The Potholes in the Rangers’ System
Inconsistent Offensive Output
The Rangers have elite names but struggled to score when it mattered. Too often, they relied on Artemi Panarin to carry the load.
The power play dried up in crucial games.
Secondary scoring? Practically nonexistent at times.
Lack of Leadership
Jacob Trouba’s midseason trade left a leadership vacuum. There was no consistent voice rallying the locker room when things got tough.
No one stepped up to embody the grit and mental toughness this team needed down the stretch.
Coaching Disconnect
Peter Laviolette failed to adapt his system as the season spiraled. His firing confirmed the front office’s lack of confidence in his vision.
Young players were underutilized or put in roles they weren’t ready for.
Age and Speed
Veterans like Chris Kreider and Barclay Goodrow showed signs of decline.
The team couldn’t keep up against faster, younger rosters — especially noticeable against teams like the Hurricanes and Devils.
🔥 Who to Sack (or Let Walk)
Chris Kreider
Yes, he’s a legacy name — but with declining speed and production, he’s no longer a first-line caliber forward.
Move him to free cap space or a supporting role at a reduced cost.
Barclay Goodrow
Tough, yes. But the $3.6M AAV cap hit is too much for a fourth-liner who contributes very little offensively.
Jonathan Quick
His comeback year was a feel-good story, but the Rangers need a reliable long-term backup behind Shesterkin — not nostalgia.
Front Office “Yes Men”
Whoever’s rubber-stamping outdated roster decisions needs to go. Modern hockey is about adaptability and analytics-driven depth.
🧊 Who to Keep and Build Around
Igor Shesterkin
The franchise cornerstone. Without his heroics, this season could have gone off the rails far earlier.
Artemi Panarin
Despite criticism, he was statistically elite. Just needs a real first-line center to complement his play.
Adam Fox
One of the best two-way defensemen in the league. Keep him healthy, and build the blue line around him.
K’Andre Miller & Braden Schneider
Young, mobile defensemen who can be molded into a dynamic pairing.
Will Cuylle & Gabe Perreault
Give the kids a chance. Cuylle brings physicality, and Perreault has high-end skill. The team needs their energy.
💥 What the Rangers Need Now
A True First-Line Center
Zibanejad hasn’t been the same in high-pressure moments. They need a 1C who can match up against elite opponents and create for Panarin.
Youth Movement
Embrace the rebuild-lite. The NHL is a young man’s league. Get younger, faster, and hungrier.
A No-Nonsense Coach
The next hire must instill accountability and push pace. Think someone in the mold of Rod Brind’Amour — tough, direct, and modern.
Locker Room Leadership
With Trouba gone, name a captain who sets the tone on and off the ice. Fox or Panarin could wear the C — but it must be earned, not inherited.
Depth Scoring
The bottom six was mostly dead weight. Add hungry third-line players with playoff experience and finishing ability.
Final Thought
The Rangers don’t need to burn it all down — but they must evolve. This isn’t 2014. It’s time for a faster, more aggressive identity built around their young core and elite goaltending. And it starts with tough decisions — not sentimental ones.