The New York Rangers are poised for a major bounce-back in 2025-26 after a disappointing season that saw them miss the playoffs.
The biggest change? Mike Sullivan is taking over behind the bench. He’s not just any coach – he’s got two Stanley Cup rings from his time with the Penguins. That’s pretty impressive for a guy who’s been to the playoffs eight times in his 12 NHL seasons.
Sure, his last few years in Pittsburgh weren’t great. But a fresh start might be exactly what both Sullivan and the Rangers need right now.
The talent is definitely there in New York.
J.T. Miller is wearing the "C" now, becoming the 29th captain in the team’s history. He’s been on fire since coming back from Vancouver, putting up 35 points in just 32 games.
Artemi Panarin keeps doing what he does best – lighting up the scoreboard. With 37 goals and 52 assists last season, he’s hit at least 89 points for four straight years. That’s the kind of consistency every team dreams of.
On defense, Adam Fox is as reliable as they come. He contributed 61 points (10 goals, 51 assists) and finished with a +9 rating – making it six straight seasons on the positive side of that stat.
Then there’s Igor Shesterkin in net.
Sure, last season wasn’t his best, but consider this: he still managed six shutouts while facing more shots (1,751) than any other goalie in the league. That’s pretty remarkable when you think about it.
With Sullivan’s proven track record and this core group of stars, Rangers fans have plenty of reasons to be excited. A return to the playoffs? That’s starting to look more like "when" rather than "if."
