The NY Rangers have so much talent that their top players, regardless of position, bring value in one way, shape, and form, so before the preseason articles like these could have chosen seven candidates. That said, the challenge was to narrow the list down to a trio of players who were among the best in their respective positions throughout the 32-team NHL.
While anyone can embark on an upward surge and enjoy an outstanding season, I’m going to assume that the three candidates below will once again help lead the charge in Manhattan. Who are they, and what makes them such legitimate candidates for Team MVP in 2024-25?
Artemi Panarin
Nobody is either a better candidate to be the Rangers most valuable player in 2024-25 or someone who deserves more respect around the league than the Breadman, who is coming off the best season of his long career. While it would be farfetched to believe Artemi Panarin will hit the 49-goal, 120-point milestone again, it’s not impossible.
Here’s one stat to remember: 461 points in 350 games, which equals 1.31 points per contest since he arrived in Manhattan. Should Panarin keep up that pace in 2024-25, he will end the year with 108 points, which will likely lead the Rangers in the category.
Of those 461 points, 149 of them are goals, so, once again, we’re looking at a substantial number here of between 26 and 27 goals per year when broken down. That would average to 27 goals and 81 points if we’re making projections based on averages, which are definite Team MVP numbers.
Adam Fox
As mentioned earlier, we’re looking at more positions than just forward, and Adam Fox is in line to be the Blueshirts best blueliner for seasons to come. Fox is entering his age-27 season and has gotten progressively better, even if he’s fallen short of winning the Norris Trophy lately - if you remember correctly, he won the award in 2020-21.
Anyway, last season was the first in which Fox averaged over a point per game, with 73 and 17 goals in 72 contests. So let’s have fun and bump those numbers to what he would have gotten had he been available for all 82 contests, and you get between 83 and 84 points, plus between 19 and 20 goals.
Fox is still young enough to keep his stellar statistics trending upward, so unlike with Panarin, for whom I’ve gone by averages, let’s assume Fox puts together his best season yet. Doing so will insert and keep him in the conversation for the Rangers most valuable player in 2024-25, but there’s one player who could upend him and Panarin.
Igor Shesterkin
I will vehemently stand by what I said earlier in the month that Igor Shesterkin was not the best goaltender in hockey, but it also doesn’t mean he won’t be in 2024-25. Shesterkin, as I write this, wants to maximize his upcoming contract extension, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he just started taking over games when the Blueshirts are involved in some “goaltending duels.”
I won’t get so bold and claim Shesterkin will put up Vezina numbers reminiscent of what he accomplished back in 2021-22, but I am expecting something around a 0.920 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA, both of which would be better than what put up the previous two seasons.
Should that occur, and the Rangers need a couple of big saves that will prove to be difference-makers, then this is Shesterkin’s race to lose. He got ultra hot throughout the second half of last season and in the playoffs, so if he keeps doing what he’s been, he won’t be easy to beat.