The Rangers are no strangers to high expectations. In a league where the margin between winning it all and falling short is razor-thin, their success will come down to players who can tilt the ice when the stakes are highest. This season, under new head coach Mike Sullivan, the team will be tasked with translating skill into consistency, execution, and playoff resiliency, assuming they can make it there. Here’s a ranking of the five who could have the biggest impact.
5. Mika Zibanejad
Zibanejad is a proven game-changer, but the Rangers will need his absolute best if they want to take the next step. His combination of speed and finishing ability makes him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league when he’s on his game. However, Zibanejad’s production has had stretches of inconsistency, particularly in recent seasons, posting 91 points three seasons ago and dropping his totals steadily with each passing year. If he can find a way to dominate from the drop of the puck in Game 1 and carry that through the grind of a playoff run, the Rangers will already be on a better page than they were last year.
4. Gabe Perreault
Perreault got his first taste of NHL action last season, and now the expectation is for him to take the next step. His offensive creativity, hockey IQ, and vision give the Rangers an added layer of danger in their middle six. Under Sullivan, who values structure but allows offensive instincts to flourish, Perreault could find himself in a prime spot to contribute.
The big question is whether he can adapt his game to handle the grind of a full season and the physicality of the NHL. If Perreault can maintain his scoring touch while adding a bit more bite to his game, he could emerge as a major difference-maker — and possibly even a surprise breakout star by season’s end. Luckily for him, it's on the wing where the Rangers have the most roster ambiguity. My guess is he not only makes the team, but is playing with top-tier talent as well.
3. Adam Fox
Fox remains the heartbeat of the Rangers’ blue line. His ability to control pace, dictate the transition game, and create offense from the back end is almost unmatched. He’s the obvious choice at quarterback on power play 1, and just landed perhaps his best defensive partner he's ever played next to in a guy like Vladislav Gavrikov. What often gets overlooked is Fox’s defensive reliability. He regularly neutralizes opposing top lines and can change possession with a single stick check or smart gap play. If he can stay healthy and play at his Norris Trophy-caliber best, Fox can swing matchups in New York’s favor, especially in a tight playoff series.
The common knock lately on Adam Fox is his lackluster performance in the NHL 4 Nations tournament, ironically coached by both Mike Sullivan and David Quinn. In my opinion, a somewhat meaningless mid-season tournament to a guy who was clearly banged up does not change the fact that he's one of the league's best at his position. I expect a huge season from the 27-year-old.
2. Igor Shesterkin
No top-X list regarding the Rangers would be complete without mentioning thier netminder. In New York, goaltending is never an afterthought, and Shesterkin is still the franchise’s backbone, regardless if he showed a bit of regression last season. When he’s locked in, there’s arguably no one better between the pipes. His ability to make momentum-shifting saves and frustrate elite scorers is the ultimate safety net for a team built to attack.
But it’s not just about making the routine stops it’s about stealing games. The Rangers will inevitably face stretches where they get outshot or have lapses in structure. If Shesterkin can elevate his play in those moments and return to his Vezina-winning form, he could singlehandedly tilt a playoff series in New York’s favor.
1. J.T. Miller
Since arriving to the New York Rangers in a trade that saw fan-favorite Filip Chytil fly out west, J.T. Miller has been a fabulous addition to the team. Over the last 5 NHL seasons, Miller ranks 12th in points scored with 400 — just one behind Matthew Tkachuk. What's even more impressive about that stat, if you compare his hit totals to the top 25 scorers in the league, he has over 300 more hits than anyone else on that list, including Tkachuk. It's his combination of physicality, and competitive fire that fits perfectly into Sullivan’s system. His ability to play both center and wing gives the Rangers flexibility in the top six, and his return to Broadway could prove to be the most impactful move the Rangers have made in years.
What makes the potential captain candidate such a compelling X-factor is his ability to change the tone of a game. He’s not just a scorer; he’s a disruptor who can make a huge impact by elevating his playing partners, winning battles along the wall, and rattling opponents with his edge. If Miller can consistently produce and set the emotional tempo for this team, he could be the difference between another lost season, or breaking through to the next level.