Anticipated New York Rangers Forecasts for the 2025-26 NHL Campaign
The New York Rangers are gearing up for a fresh start in the upcoming 2026 season, following a disappointing absence from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025. The team's management, led by General Manager Chris Drury, has embarked on a significant overhaul, aiming to bolster the roster and make a playoff push.
K'Andre Miller, a key player, has been traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, while Chris Kreider has been shipped off to the Anaheim Ducks. The Rangers are also expected to trade Alexis Lafreniere, Mika Zibanejad, and Scott Morrow in the upcoming season. Lafreniere's departure is anticipated to be a "hockey trade," designed to improve the team's roster for a playoff push.
In a bid to strengthen the defence, the Rangers have secured Vladislav Gavrikov, who has signed a seven-year contract. Gavrikov is expected to pair with Adam Fox on the first pairing for the Rangers.
The team's coaching staff has also seen changes, with John Tortorella stepping down as head coach and Mike Sullivan taking the helm. Sullivan was introduced as the new coach, bringing with him a wealth of experience and success, having led the Pittsburgh Penguins to three Stanley Cup victories.
The overall drama surrounding the Rangers during the 2025 season, which saw Jacob Trouba threatened with being traded and Barclay Goodrow being waived despite having a no-trade clause, negatively impacted the team's performance. The fractured team missed the playoffs, prompting the drastic changes in the off-season.
With less than a month left before the start of the 2026 season, the Rangers will be looking to put the past behind them and focus on rebuilding their team. The team begins play on October 7th against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a fitting opponent to mark the start of a new era for the New York Rangers.
