There are a few New York Rangers who went on to their new teams and found great success. It almost makes you think if it was the teams' fault of either not waiting or them to develope or if it was the teams fault of putting too much pressure on them to perform. I guess we will never really know.
There are two that jump out that really made a statement upon their departure from the great island of Manhattan. The Rangers are kicking themselves for letting these players go and become successful with their new organizations.
Pavel Buchnevich
The fanbase was divided when Pavel Buchnevich was dealt to the St. Louis Blues for Sammy Blais and a 2022 second-round pick, later used in the Andrew Copp deal with Winnipeg. Losing "Buch" was a big blow to the first line, and Blais was certainly no replacement. That first-line right-wing spot still hasn't been filled by a permanent player yet, with Alexis Lafrenière, Will Cuylle, and even Mika Zibanejad getting some time this past season.
Since Buchnevich was traded to the 'Lou, he has been an unstoppable force. He has spent the last four seasons there, appearing in 292 games, scoring 103 goals and adding 160 assists for 263 points. Those numbers blew his numbers in New York out of the water in a significant amount of less games.
In all honesty, it just didn't work in New York. Buchnevich had an insane amount of pressure on him to be a top-tier goal-scorer, which he has yet to even show in St. Louis. The difference is that in the Blue Note, he has more freedom than he did when he was a blueshirt.
Mats Zuccarello
Another fan-favorite that was canned before entering his best years was Mats Zuccarello. There is not a Rangers fan alive, over the age of 25, who won't tell you that losing "ZUCC" was not absolutely gut-wrenching. It truly felt like you lost a member of your family.
Zuccarello was traded to the Dallas Stars in the 2018-19 season, and then signed with the Minnesota Wild that summer. Since then, he has been a catalyst for the Wild, posting career-highs in a few categories. In 2021-22, he had a career-high 79 points, with 24 goals and 55 assists. He only played 70 games that season, and it helped launch the Wild over the 50-plus win club for the first time in their franchise history.
There was no one who loved being a New York Ranger more than Zuccarello. You could still see it this past season. In legendary broadcaster Sam Rosen's final season behind the microphone, Zuccarello wore a special jersey in warmups, sending his congratulations to Rosen.
What a class act from one of the best to ever wear a Blueshirts uniform.