The New York Rangers had such a disastrous follow-up season last year. After reaching the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, the Rangers missed out on the playoffs altogether. As a result, the Rangers fired Peter Laviolette after just two years on the job. it was no secret who their next coach would be, and that's Mike Sullivan.
Sullivan and the Rangers quickly agreed to terms on a contract to become the franchise's new head coach after he mutually parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This was the worst-kept secret in hockey, as the Rangers were targeting Sullivan for years to be their coach, and Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury worked alongside him for Team USA Hockey.
Now, it's up to Sullivan to help put the disastrous 2024-25 season behind them and get back on the right track. The easiest step for the Rangers to do so is to clinch one of three playoff spots in the Metropolitan division. On that note, let's take a look at the other teams in the division.
Taking a look at how the Rangers compare to Metropolitan division foes
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals looked like the team to beat last year, especially on the roll Alex Ovechkin was on to break the all-time goals scored record. Yet, they were bounced in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals should still be incontention for the Metro crown again, as they didn't lost any key players. But they did lose out on the Nikolaj Ehlers sweepstakes.
Carolina Hurricanes
Speaking of Ehlers, the Carolina Hurricanes were the team to swipe the forward away from the Capitals. They did land some defensive help thanks to the Rangers, who traded them K'Andre Miller. The former first-round pick just didn't pan out for the Rangers, but the Hurricanes have shown over the years they can develop players totheir full potential. But a $60 million contract? Good luck with that.
The Hurricanes, much like every year, look like favorites to win the Stanley Cup. But they always fall short. How long until this becomes an indictment on Rod Brind'Amour?
New Jersey Devils
The 2024-25 season could have been much different for the New Jersey Devils had superstar Jack Hughes not suffered a season-ending shoulder injury just a month before the playoffs. As a result, they were quickly eliminated by the Hurricanes in the opening round.
This offseason, the Devils kept most of the roster intact, while bringing in Evgenii Dadanov and Connor Brown. Ultimately, New Jersey's success hinges on Hughes' health. Had he not gotten injured, the Devils may have went on a longer playoff run.
Columbus Blue Jackets
One of the biggest surprises last year was the Columbus Blue Jackets. A team mourning the tragic death of star Johnny Gaudreau, they outperformed preseason expectations, and nearly made it into the playoffs as a Wild Card team.
This offseason, the Blue Jackets didn't make any major moves or ones that would help increase their chances of clinching a playoff berth. But, they are still a fringe playoff team.
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders desperately needed to rebuild, especially to clean up the mess Lou Lamoriello made. But the Islanders made the wise move to hire Mathieu Darche, who played a role in building the Tampa Bay Lightning into a dynasty this decade. To help matters, they won the No. 1 overall pick and used it on Matthew Schaeffer, one of the best defense prospects in quite some time.
It may not be this year, but the Islanders may eventually become playoff contenders again.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Sullivan's old team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, are undoubtedly in the beginning of a rebuild. The Penguins sold at the trade deadline. But there are still players that could be moved, with defenseman Erik Karlsson as No. 1 on the fanbase's wishlist.
The Penguins aren't going to be close to playoff position, so get ready for many months of "will the Penguins trade Sidney Crosby" debates. It's going to happen.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers hired one of the most coveted coaches of the carousel by hiring former player Rick Tocchet. This offseason, the Flyers made a big splash move on paper by acquiring forward Trevor Zegras. The hope is a change of scenery will help Zegras reach his full potential.
But this is a retooling Flyers team, and the playoffs might be a longshot for them, especially with the division being as top heavy as it is.
Rangers' Metro outlook in Year 1 of Mike Sullivan era
Sullivan has been considered one of the top coaches in the NHL for quite some time. He's also one of the most recent stretch of coaches to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Plus, he coached Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off and will do so again in the Olympics. After running through the likes of Laviolette, Gerald Gallant, and David Quinn (who is back as an assistant), Rangers probably have the best option they've had in quite some time in Sullivan.
But it's up to Sullivan to decide what the roster should look like with him at the helm to give them the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1994. They do have question marks on the roster in regards to long-term viability. Artemi Panarin is on the final year of his contract and set to hit free agency next summer. while Panarin was one of the best free agent signings in quite some time, he is getting older, and does have off-ice controversy.
Then, there's Mika Zibanejad, who had an up-and-down campaign last year. He is under contract for the next five years, keeping him under contract through his age 36 season. Is he going to be a viable piece for Sullivan to utilize on a top line? Or will he eventually be trade bait.
It's up to Sullivan to decide if he wants to continue having some of the veteran players on the roster or opt to give younger players a chance. They do have players with some high upside, such as Gabe Perreault and Brett Berard, both of whom didn't get much playing time under Laviolette.
Even so, there is solid talent across this roster, with Adam Fox, Alexis Lafrenière, Braden Schneider, and Will Cuylle. Plus, they signed one of the best defensemen in free agency in Vladislav Gavrikov as their top left-handed option.
Of course, it all depends on if the locker room buys into Sullivan. We saw the team effectively quit on Laviolette, costing him his job. But considering Sullivan is viewed as a big free agent signing, it will ultimately be a matter of who Sullivan wants to keep and who he wants to send packing elsewhere.
But given the landscape of the rest of the division, the Rangers fanbase should feel confident that this team could be in the mix for a playoff spot throughout this season.