The New York Rangers completely overhauled their blue line this summer, and there is a newfound hope that it could have solved some of the past shortcomings. This team has been in a downward spiral since their Presidents' Trophy-winning season of 2023-24, and we may be at rock bottom right now.
Of course, that can all change in just a few weeks when the 2026-27 season starts back up again, with the Blueshirts in primetime as a good bunch. With the national attention still on the Original Six club, all eyes will be on No. 23, Adam Fox.
Believe it or not, the upgraded defense will be a huge benefit for Fox. This grouping of six might be the most complete that the Rangers have had in a long time, and we may experience the very best of one of the NHL's best defensemen.
Let's talk about it.
Fox has the right help
Fox's partnership with Ryan Lindgren was a solid pairing. If not for "The Warrior" always finding a way to get himself to the injured list, it would likely still be the top pairing for this franchise.
Bringing in Vladislav Gavrikov was supposed to be a match made in heaven, but the rest of the defensive unit was not ready to handle their own responsibilities, so the pair had to be split up. Now, with the arrivals of Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson, there is a reason to reunite the two for the 2026-27 season.
Not to mention that d-men like Braden Schneider is playing for his future next season on a one-year tryout, and Matthew Robertson showed enough to stay around, but his long-term aspirations are still up in the air.
Back to Norris form?
In 2025-26, Fox was sidelined a good bit throughout the year. Only appearing in 55 games, he still very nearly finished as a point-per-game player with nine goals and 44 assists for 53 points. Expect, with a full season with Gavrikov by his side, that No. 23 gets back to being a Norris Trophy candidate at the end of the 2026-27 season.
The Rangers are going to need that from Fox, and nothing less. Although this defensive unit looks like it will be better in the upcoming 84-game gauntlet, it is only on paper. Durzi and Pettersson have a lot of pressure on them to step in and be a solid pairing in the middle of that lineup, to help keep the dream of Fox-Gavrikov alive.
Fox is approaching the prime of his career, and these next few years are going to be crucial for the Rangers. This retooling phase could be accelerated by the youth rising and taking their place in the lineup full-time. Alberts Smits could be the eventual receiver of No. 23's torch as the top defender of the Rangers, and the two could link up as a pairing in the near future.
The Rangers best defenseman has been a fantastic member of this franchise, and the best is yet to come. Fox may go down as the best to man the position one day, and the reason being might start with the 2026-27 season.
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