The New York Rangers should get the so-called “new coach bump” this season. That phenomenon refers to the kick teams get whenever a new coach comes into the picture.
For some teams, a mid-season coaching change can spur a major turnaround. For instance, the Detroit Red Wings fired Derek Lalonde in late December following a subpar start. The Wings rode the new coach bump to within striking distance of a playoff spot.
The Boston Bruins, conversely, dumped Jim Montgomery last November. The Bruins promoted assistant Joe Sacco, and sank even further. They ended at the bottom of the NHL standings.
So, are the Rangers going to go the way of the Red Wings or the Bruins?
Based on experience, the former route seems to be the destination ahead for the Rangers. The difference in the Rangers’ case is they didn’t recycle a washed-up coach or didn’t promote an assistant hoping things would work out.
The Rangers paid top dollar to get one of the league’s best coaches in Mike Sullivan. Sullivan’s resume speaks for itself. He’s got the Stanley Cup pedigree and is respected as one of the league’s top coaches.
His influence should be sufficient to steer a deep and talented veteran core back into contention this season. If there’s anyone who can successfully orchestrate such a turnaround, it’s Mike Sullivan.
Rangers must get off to good start this season
The Metro Division figures to be a competitive one this season. The Carolina Hurricanes have loaded up. They look good and should compete for the division lead, well, at least on paper.
The Washington Capitals will look to reprise their division-winning season. While some questions linger regarding their core, they’re good enough to remain a playoff team.
The New Jersey Devils will also be a tough out this season. They aren’t expected to regress. So, the Devils will certainly be in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Plus, the rival New York Islanders could have a bounce-back season. They’re offseason could light a spark to lead them back to contention.
The Columbus Blue Jackets look poised to make a dent in the Metro, as well. They made some offseason moves to bolster their depth. If the moves work out, they’ll be in the conversation all season long.
That puts the Rangers in direct competition with five teams for three playoff spots. That situation means the Rangers will need to get off to a strong start this season. The team can’t afford a subpar October and a so-so November.
The Blueshirts need to hit the ground running to distance themselves as much as possible. The Rangers have the scoring, the defense, and the goaltending to do it. The only question might be depth.
But all things considered, the Rangers should be in a position to reclaim their playoff contender status. A strong start to the season could make it extremely challenging for other clubs to catch up throughout the season.
If the new coach bump pays dividends right away, the Rangers could be one of the NHL’s toughest teams over the first couple of months in the 2025-26 season.