The New York Rangers offseason continues to be the same old trend, year in and year out. Another summer goes by, wondering if this could finally be the year, can they finally win another Stanley Cup?
No matter what moves are made in free agency or which draft picks they collect at the draft, there is always one key area that is never resolved by the start of the next season.
There is no confidence that this team can be anything more than a playoff contender, but not a Stanley Cup contender.
Lack of confidence that this team is a Stanley Cup contender
Over the past couple of offseasons, there were some signings that indicated that this team was going in the right direction. Namely, the momentum they had when they signed Artemi Panarin in 2019, followed by the drafting of Alexis Lafrenière, then after that was the signing of Vincent Trocheck in 2022. There was momentum building, and once the team was established for the 2023-24 season, they unexpectedly had the best record in all of hockey and won the Presidents' Trophy.
But, they still were not revered as the best team in the league, and it showed last season in their debacle that was the 2024-25 season. There was not much of a difference between the opening night rosters from the two years, yet last season saw an implosion from within the organization, leading to veterans and fan favorites, including the captain of the franchise, being dealt away. What a mess.
The Rangers have been close to being called a Stanley Cup contender since coming out of their brief rebuild at the turn of the decade. Last season's missed playoff appearance shot them down the power rankings quite a bit, leading to fan disgust as it is another year of being disrespected as a potentially great team.
Grabbing one of the best free agents on the market did help win back some favor for the fans. Vladislav Gavrikov, on paper, is everything that the Blueshirts faithful have hoped for in a potential partner to superstar defenseman Adam Fox. Ryan Lindgren was a great asset to have on that first pairing, but the injuries racked up too much. Gavrikov plays a smarter game by not allowing himself or the team to be put in a down position by his missing playing time. Not to mention his ability to be a complete 200-foot player, with a defensive-first mentality.
The Rangers are not among the elite of the NHL anymore, just one short season after having the greatest regular season in their 100-year history. Just after making it to the Eastern Conference Finals in two of the last four years, this franchise wasn't even listed in the NHL's super 16 power rankings to start the year.