There's been a long list of issues with the New York Rangers this season, and fans' patience is wearing thin with most of the members of this organization. However, one player the Rangers should be looking to retain no matter what has come up as someone a few fanbase members would like to see moved. That's Jericho, New York native Adam Fox. Fox has been one of the best defensemen in the league for a while, and trading him would be a catastrophic mistake.
Fox was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes for a pair of second-round picks after being drafted by the Calgary Flames in the third round of the 2016 NHL entry draft. New York landed him after he expressed an unwillingness to sign in Carolina and Calgary, leading many to believe he was only willing to sign with his boyhood favorite hockey club, the New York Rangers. Eventually, he found his way to Madison Square Garden.
Since becoming a Ranger, Fox has been unbelievable. Across his 387-game NHL career, Fox has tallied 54 goals and 279 assists for 333 career NHL points. Through 30 games this season, Fox has a goal and 24 assists for 25 points. There's been no decline in his production. In the 2020-21 season, Fox won the Norris as the best defenseman in the NHL. He's been a finalist again since and finished top five in voting every year since he was a rookie.
So, why do some fans wish to see Fox depart the organization? It's the defensive side of the game. Fox has struggled alongside his defensive partners this year. That's not an inditement on Fox, but it highlights K'Andre Miller and Ryan Lindgren's issues this year and how they've affected someone even as talented as Adam Fox. New York needs Fox to be great to succeed, but he's having to cover for the issues of his partners.
Trading Adam Fox would be a big mistake because of this. Let's pick the team Rangers acquired Fox from for this example. Say Fox was sent back to Carolina to play alongside Jaccob Slavin. Having someone who completely takes away the defensive side of Fox's game would give him the license to be the rover he wants to be. It would take the restraints off him defensively, and it's the biggest issue with the Rangers right now.
Being frustrated that Fox isn't where we'd like him to be is normal, but there have been significant concerns across the roster. Fox isn't a major culprit right now and will be part of the solution as we approach his 27th birthday. Fox will lead the turn-around for this organization and hopefully help restore the former glory of this franchise when the new core is assembled.