Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The New York Rangers are on the verge of a crisis.
This is an underperforming group of late, not far from being Presidents’ Trophy winners in 2023-24.
But anyone who has paid attention to the Blueshirts this season knows that there is a distinct difference between that team and this current Rangers team. Many problems with the Rangers this year are costing them the success they had in the regular season.
Leave aside the Rangers’ 15-14-1 record. Leave aside their 3-7-0 record in their last 10 games. When you look at the Rangers, you see a team that doesn’t gel with each other on the ice.
Their offense is 17th best in the league, and their defense? Also 17th. Meanwhile, their shots allowed average of 31.6 is fourth-worst in the NHL. This all seems extremely worrying for Rangers fans and players.
“It’s the same story, right?” » Rangers defenseman Adam Fox told reporters after Sunday’s 3-2 loss to St. Louis. “Just a little and done in the O zone. Didn’t endure many cycles, many changes with sustained pressure to force them to defend. It kind of comes back at us and bites us in the ass.
Fox wasn’t wrong. The Rangers have often not shown a high level of attention from the Rangers this season. To be frank, it’s been some listless stuff.
But answer this question: Do you think there is a talent worth acquiring that can change the Rangers’ season in a short period of time? (We say “acquirable,” so please don’t share any Connor McDavid storylines, thanks.)
So, anyone? No? No, there doesn’t appear to be a feasible trade that would stop the Rangers’ slide. For better or worse, this group is stuck with each other. And although they have a $6.66 million salary cap hit that will increase until the trade deadline, according to PuckPediaThe Rangers’ problems are far too deep to restart their season with the help of another team.
The solution has to be internal, and that’s the problem – it’s hard to imagine the Rangers suddenly flipping a switch and becoming a legitimate Stanley Cup favorite. We’re approaching the halfway point of the season and this is who the Rangers are.
The Rangers are forced to be a playoff focused team with their contracts for Mika ZibanejadFox, Alexis Lafrenière and Igor Shesterkin. There are other veterans that the Rangers will likely receive contract extensions for when they become free agents. There is no question of tearing this house down to the studs. It’s going to be make or break for the current incarnation of the Rangers – and there’s a very real possibility this season that they’re headed for bankruptcy.
I’m not kidding; I just read somewhere that @NYRangers management “does not have the courage to pull #PierreLaviolette“.
What nonsense? If the players are clearly apathetic,
embarrassing and we are clearly not playing for this negative point
2nd year coach, then for crying out loud, GET THE BELLY!– Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) December 15, 2024
In the modern era, it’s rare for Rangers to finish worse than fourth in their division. Rangers spend their money, and they often spend it wisely. But somehow they have a lemony product this year.
The Rangers are a tricky proposition, and if they don’t show signs of life quickly, their season will evaporate long before they expect it.
Get the latest news and trends delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below on the article on THN.com or by visit our forum.
Related: NHL Rumors Roundup: Updates on Rangers, Ducks’ Trouba and Panthers’ Bennett
