The New York Rangers are back at practice to try and put out their best, and most watchable, hockey for the rest of the 2025-26 season. At this point, this team has waved the white flag, and all eyes are on development and preparing for next season and beyond.
Here is some recent news happening around this team, as well as the rest of the NHL.
Restart coming February 26 against Philly
The Rangers return to action on February 26 against Philadelphia, in what will likely be a very tense and heated match. The Flyers are still in contention in the Eastern Conference wildcard race as they are eight points behind Boston for the second wild card spot. The Rangers are way out from that posiiton, but this could be a good win to tell fans that this team has not completely ducked tail.
Time to move on from Rempe?
It might finally be time to move on from another fan-favorite. Matt Rempe, who is up for another contract extension at the end of this season, might be playing his final games for the Rangers as the Trade Deadline is coming up on March 6. There are a lot of teams that are going to be looking for an enforcer to set the tone in a playoff series, and Rempe fits that bill to a tee.
This might be a necessary move, as this team is not going to need his talents during this rebuild. They might as well get the best return for him, which is at this point right now, and now in the offseason.
Team USA wins gold, Sullivan a hero
In a thrilling overtime victory over Team Canada, the United States won its third-ever Gold Medal in the Olympics. Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller were key parts to the tournament win, and are coming back to the Rangers with newfound confidence and much larger trade values than before going to Milan.
Another person coming home from Italy with some golden hardware is Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan. It is clear that the reason why the Rangers have been so bad this season is not due to the teachings and direction from behind the bench, but from the players on the ice.
Sullivan silencd critics of the United States squad, and proved that USA Hockey is just a strong as our neighbours up north. That game has just inspired a new generation of hockey players, and in 20-years from now, we are all going to see it.
The power of a number one overall pick is something Rangers are lacking
Jack Hughes and Macklin Celebrini are recent No. 1 overall picks who have been great for their NHL squads, but recently stood out for the United States and Canada at the Olympics. It brings into question Alexis Lafreniere's future, and the importance of the Rangers making sure their 2026 first round draft pick is the right one.