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Did Adam Fox’s injury sink the New York Rangers' season?

ByJustin Bonhard|
Feb 23, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The New York Rangers bench congratulates defenseman Adam Fox (23) on his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Feb 23, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The New York Rangers bench congratulates defenseman Adam Fox (23) on his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers may have had the nail put in their 2024-25 coffin. Adam Fox has suffered an upper-body injury and has been placed in the long-term injured reserve list. There is a solid chance that he will be brought back into the fold before the end of the season, but will it be too late at that point.

Has the injury to Adam Fox sunk the Rangers season?

Biggest loss of the year

This should be considered the biggest loss of the year, in a year full of devastating injuries. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin went down with an injury around a month ago, several forwards have been battling injuries all season and missed time, but this particular injury to Fox gives the Rangers their worst available roster.

The defensive unit has been under the microscope all season, with inconsistencies and line shake-ups being an every game commodity. In all honesty, the play from Fox, who has been labeled as a very reliable d-man, has had an off year. But, even his worst is still far greater then many bests on this team.

Now, the Rangers have to try and pick up the pieces and make this roster make sense. Trading away Ryan Lindgren was a message in itself, stating that the future top-line parter of Fox will be K' Andre Miller. Miller now has to bear the sole responsibility of being the leader of the defensive core now that Fox is out, and we will all see if he can step into the shoes. Miller will be lining up next to Will Borgen.

Can the Rangers win without him?

There are only a few weeks left of the regular season and the Rangers are still on the outside looking in on the playoffs. At 29-26-4 for 62 points, they still sit four points away from the last wildcard spot, held by the Detroit Red Wings. Can they continue to win hockey games without one of their key players?

That really is the question, isn't it. these next few games before the March 7 Trade Deadline will determine whether or not the defensive unit will be able to compete for the rest of the year. If they can win the next few games and prove that this make-shift line-up of six defenseman can handle the pressure, then Fox could be returning for the playoff run.

Things are getting interesting for the Rangers, but this latest blow might be the knock-out punch on this season.

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