Noah Pedrazzoli continues his Metropolitan Division summer roundup with the Islanders crosstown rival New York Rangers
The historic nemesis of the New York Islanders is far from becoming a team in the basement of the Metropolitan division. However, it is necessary to explore the current future of the team. The core, just like the Islanders, is getting older. But what many fans forget is that the Islanders and their core, contrary to popular belief, has actually gotten younger while the New York Rangers keep getting older. It is very easy to spot the correlation that when a team’s core gets older, the more their championship window closes.
The Rangers are still centered around Artemi Panarin (fresh off a 49–goal season), Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trochek, and Mika Zibanejad. And the Rangers are still competitors in the sense that they will make the playoffs this year unless everything goes wrong.
The addition of veteran winger Reilly Smith, fresh off his quick stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is a winger that could bring some championship insight thanks to the shiny Stanley Cup ring he won with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.
“With an already tight cap, Shesterkin’s camp is rumored to want $12 million next year.”
Sam Carrick is a grinder that could make the Rangers fourth line a feared checking line with the likes of this past year’s NHL phenomenon and attraction, Matt Rempe. The continued explosive and interesting arc of Alexis Lafrenière is a breath of fresh air for the Rangers management and fanbase as he could be on the brink of a blockbuster year.
The departure of Erik Gustafson on the blue line, who was an interesting and welcome surprise to the Rangers season, has allowed for prospect Zac Jones to have the opportunity to cement himself as a stabilizing piece on the Blue Shirts defense.
In addition, the exit of struggling forward Jack Roslovic is another depth piece that will be joining noted Metro rival, the Carolina Hurricanes. The Kappo Kakko dilemma, “to trade or not to trade”, is another roadblock in the contending aspirations of the Rangers as the development of their second-overall pick in 2019 could be coming to an end.
Rangers Division Outlook: 2nd-4th Place
Currently, the New York Rangers are in an interesting situation. They avoided arbitration by signing defenseman Ryan Lindgren to a one-year, $4.5 million dollar deal, but will have to pay 2020 first-overall pick Lafrenière and their star net-minder Igor Shesterkin next year. With an already tight cap, Shesterkin’s camp is rumored to want $12 million next year, and if Lafrenière finally puts the “bust” allegations to bed and has a phenomenal year; the Rangers could be facing a difficult and soap opera-themed offseason in 2025.
Catch the latest episode of HNiNY as the boys spoke to former Islanders general manager Neil Smith
Hockey Night in New York will be back to cover the New York Islanders all season long with hosts Sean Cuthbert and Stefen Rosner live from Floored Media in Rockville Centre Sundays at 8PM ET! Stay tuned for training camp coverage!