Rangers mid season report card grading the roster at the halfway mark

At the time of writing this, prior to the New York Rangers' loss to the Utah Mammoth, the Blueshirts have officially passed the halfway point of this campaign reaching a record of 20-18-5 and being last in points percentage in the Eastern Conference. It's been an up and down season so far with highs such as the 2026 Winter Classic where Mika Zibanejad became the first player in history to record a Hat-Trick in Winter Classic history.

But then lows such as scoring one goal or less in their sixteen games this season, including shutout eight different times. With 39 games remaining, let's go back to school and grade some of the stars of the season.

Stars of the Season

Igor Shesterkin - A

Massive expectations arose for Igor Shesterkin heading into this season, in year one of his massive 11.5M max term extension, all eyes were on the superstar goaltender and his performance. Well, it's safe to say Igor's been simply brilliant for the Rangers so far and without him New York might be even deeper in the basement than they already are.

In 33 starts this season (the most in the NHL), Shesterkin is ninth in save percentage (.912 SV%), fourth in goals saved above expected (22.63 GSAx), first in starts with over a .900, and tied ninth in high danger save percentage (.846 HDSV%). If Igor continues this pace he very well may be a finalist for the Vezina trophy come April. Fingers crossed that the injury he suffered on Monday isn't too serious.

Adam Fox - A+

On a Rangers team that is bottom-five in goals, Adam Fox is just a point under a point per game defensemen with 28 points in 29 games played. Fox is sixth in points per game among defensemen while also being one of, if not the best shutdown defensemen in the league. Among all defensemen to play 300 5v5 minutes this season, Adam Fox is third in expected goals against per sixty (2.15 xGA/60), meaning when he's on the ice the Rangers practically do not give up any quality chances against. His expected goal share (xGF%) is ranked seventh among all defensemen and fifteenth among all players.

If Fox didn't miss about a month due to his injury suffered vs Tampa Bay, he'd be the favorite for the Norris trophy so far.

Vladislav Gavrikov - A-

In the first year of a $7M contract, Gavrikov has already surpassed his career high in goals with seven and has been an anchor on the Rangers top pair. Gavrikov is currently 26th in his xGA/60 while facing some of the highest quality of opponents against. On top of that, Gavrikov by far has the most 5v5 time on ice for the Rangers with a whopping 864.58 minutes, just about 150 minutes more than the second highest on the team.

Despite the heavy workload, Gavrikov (especially paired with Adam Fox) has been one of the best shutdown defensemen in the league and has been worth every penny Chris Drury invested on July 1st.

Artemi Panarin - B+

Panarin is once again the Rangers highest point producer with 44 points in 42 games, he's on the ice for team high 3.16 goals for per 60 minutes (GF/60), but only is fifth on the team in xGF/60. Combining these metrics with what I've noticed on the ice is that in a contract year, Panarin has taken a step back in generating quality offense consistently. The Breadman is still one of the best finishers in the league, however it'll be interesting to see his future on the team with the trade deadline being only two months away.

Quick Notes

Jonathan Quick - A+

Quick is turning 40 this month and yet is playing like he's 30, despite having a .924 SV% and 9.55 GSAx (27th) Quick only has three wins in his ten starts this season. It's impossible to blame Quick for being under .500 so far this season, the Rangers need to give the future hall of famer more goals support.

Will Cuylle - B

Cuylle is fifth on the team in points in 23 and is currently on pace for another fourty point season while also being second on the team in xGA/60, just trailing Adam Fox. There's a discussion that could be made that Cuylle is playing out of place in the Top-6, but his production for a third line has been perfectly respectable.

Alexis Lafrenière - B-

Lafreniere was the prime bounce back candidate for New York, however through 43 games it's been more of the same. This season he's been mildly inconsistent with games where you see his 2024 self, but then other games where he's invisible. On one hand, Lafreniere is tied for second on the team in 5v5 points and is third on the team in xGF/60. But on the other he is only on pace for 43 points.

J.T. Miller - C-

Miller is currently second in xGF/60, trailing Adam Fox, but has been awfully disappointing in his first full season back with the Rangers. Miller has 22 points in 35 games after registering 35 in 32 last season. Miller is currently close to coming back after suffering an upper-body injury vs the Flyers, so it'll be interesting to re-evaluate his play during his return.