Even through a stretch as rough as the one the New York Rangers have gone through so far in 2025-26, one would think they would have gotten back on track against the lowly Calgary Flames. But it wasn't meant to be, as the 1-7-1 Flames, the current front-runners in the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes, blew out the Rangers 5-1 on Sunday night and collected their second win.
There are a lot of tough pills to swallow in the early going of the NHL season, especially if you were optimistic to see a turnaround in Manhattan. But this loss may be the lowest of the lows. You can't let a team that scored just 16 goals heading into Sunday night put up five on you. Not when you're supposed to have one of the best netminders in hockey.
This is the situation the Rangers find themselves in: 2023-24 Presidents' Trophy winners who missed the playoffs in 2025, and look like they're once again on the trajectory to miss out once more in 2026. But let's remember that the Rangers have only played 10 games, and still, anything can happen.
New York Rangers don't need to concede the season just yet
It looks like this team's championship window is closing, but plenty of teams have struggled in October, only to find their groove and look like championship contenders following the trade deadline. Look no further than the Edmonton Oilers, who always seem to have a pedestrian opening month before getting their act together, and 2025 has been no different.
So there's no need to throw in the towel and enter the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes yet. That time could be coming, but there is too much talent on this New York Rangers team to think they need to turn the page to a new chapter.
In 2025-26, we have the Olympic break and the trade deadline, and those two markers will serve as measuring sticks for what the Rangers should do. If they're still struggling this badly as the break approaches, then start selling, or at least begin shortly afterward. Should the Rangers work their way back into relevance, then wait until the trade deadline before ultimately deciding.
Rangers' players will maintain their value come the 2026 trade deadline
The Rangers will have teams clamoring to trade with them if they still can't find their trajectory and sell come the trade deadline at the latest. Artemi Panarin, Sam Carrick, high-end prospect Brennan Othmann, and Jonathan Quick could all be on the move if things don't work out, and finding a home for them shouldn't be difficult. Even for Panarin, who has a full no-movement clause but one year left on his contract.
Some players, like Vladislav Gavrikov, Adam Fox, Will Borgen, J.T. Miller, Alexis Lafrenière, Igor Shesterkin, and Mika Zibanejad, are more likely to stick around no matter what the Rangers do this season. They each carry long-term deals and have no-trade and no-movement protections. So, if you're in the "don't blow it up" camp, potentially trading any of the above would be an ultra-tough sell.
Overall, "blowing it up," even if the Rangers keep losing, isn't feasible under the current climate. If the players signed to long-term deals had shorter contracts, term lengths, and fewer protections, a fire sale would be more likely. Right now, it makes little sense, so chances are, the Blueshirts are stuck with most of the players they have.