Rangers A preview of the 2025-26 NHL season for the New York Rangers, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our N H L page.

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Key Additions: Vladislav Gavrikov, Taylor Raddysh, Connor Sheary (PTO) Key Departures: K’Andre Miller, Chris Kreider Overview Year 2 under head coach Peter Laviolette saw a 29-point drop off as the Rangers missed the playoffs, one year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy and reaching the Eastern Conference Final. All this led to the Rangers making a head coaching change, firing Laviolette, who had one year left on his contract and bringing in former Penguins bench boss, Mike Sullivan, who parted ways with the Penguins at the end of last season. That makes it three coaches in the past three years for the Blueshirts. Offense New York’s 180 goals at full and even strength was seventh-best. Rangers’ games combined 6.23 goals per game, 10th-best last season in the NHL. Their once vaunted power play, third overall a season ago scored 28 fewer goals last season and finished 28th overall in the 2024-25 season. It is an aging group up front for the Blueshirts. Their top four forwards, Artemi Panarin (33), Vincent Trocheck (32), J.T. Miller (32) and Mika Zibanejad (32) are all over 30 years old. For the second consecutive season, Artemi Panarin led the Blueshirts in goals, assists, points and shots on goal, but all those numbers took a considerable dip from the season prior. Zibanejad’s move from center to wing alongside Miller benefited both players. Zibanejad had 33 points in 32 games, while Miller had 13 goals and 35 points. Another bright spot up front was Will Cuylle, who hit the 20-goal mark (added 25 assists) for the first time and took a big leap from the prior season when he had eight goals and 21 points. Defense The Rangers’ 255 goals given up last season was the most they have surrendered since giving up 267 in the 2018-19 season. One area where the Blueshirts excelled defensively was the penalty kill. Their 18 shorthanded goals were a league-high. New York landed arguably the most sought-after free agent defenseman of the summer, when they came to terms on a seven-year, $49 million contract with Vladislav Gavrikov. Look for Gavrikov to play alongside Adam Fox on the Rangers’ top pair. Gavrikov will not only bolster the Rangers back end overall, but will allow Fox to better take advantage of his offensive skills. With the addition of Gavrikov, the Rangers traded K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes. Goaltending The Rangers tandem of Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick had a combined nine shutouts last season (Igor -6 and Quick -5), second only to the Jets and Ottawa who each had 10. A growing concern for me is that last season marked the fourth consecutive season that saw Shesterkin’s goals against average go up (2.07 to 2.86) and his save percentage (.935 to .905) go down. Jonathan Quick’s numbers from last season are just what you need from your backup. He earned 24 out of a possible 40 points (3 shutouts) in his 20 starts. My one concern for the future Hall of Famer is that he gave up 5 or more goals in five of his last 11 starts. Player to Watch After seeing his overall numbers increase in his previous two seasons, former first overall pick, Alexis Lafreniere , saw his goal total dip from 28 to 17. The Rangers are counting on a bounce back season from the former number one pick. Lafreniere will get every opportunity playing on both the No. 1 line and top power play unit. Outlook I have more faith in the Rangers than most. I am on the Over 95.5 points (+105) and Adam Fox at 20/1 to win his second Norris Trophy. Team Futures Regular Season Points: 95.5 To Make the Playoffs: -200 To Miss the Playoffs: +160 To Win the Metropolitan Division: +550 To Win the Eastern Conference: +1600 To Win the Stanley Cup: +3000 2024-25 Recap Record: 39-36-7, 85 points (5th Metropolitan Division) Over/Under: 40-40-2 Home Favorite: 15-16 // Home Dog: 3-7 Road Favorite: 15-8 // Road Dog: 5-12 Win Score 4 or more: 27 of 39 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 28 of 43 Puck Line Wins: 25 of 39 // Puck Line Losses: 26 of 43 Front End Back-to-Back: 3-11 // Back End Back-to-Back: 7-7 Points Leader: Artemi Panarin – 89 Goal Leader: Artemi Panarin – 37 Assist Leader: Artemi Panarin – 52 Shots on Goal Leader: Artemi Panarin – 237 Blocked Shots Leader: Braden Schneider – 145 Depth Chart Forwards Artemi Panarin / Vincent Trocheck / Alexis Lafreniere Will Cuylle / J.T. Miller / Mika Zibanejad Gabe Perreault / Jusso Parssinen / Jonny Brodzinski Adam Edstrom / Sam Carrick / Taylor Raddysh Defense Vladislav Gavrikov / Adam Fox Carson Soucy / Will Borgen Urho Vaakanainen / Braden Schneider Goalies Igor Shesterkin / Jonathan Quick Power Play Unit 1 Alexis Lafreniere, J.T. Miller, Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanajed, Adam Fox The post NHL Season Preview & Prediction: New York Rangers 2025-26 appeared first on VSiN .