Barclay Goodrow and trade deadline acquisitions Alex Wennberg and Jack Roslovic are out, with Sam Carrick and Reilly Smith stepping in. The 2024-25 New York Rangers will resemble the 2023-24 team that won the Presidents’ Trophy. Carrick will take Goodrow’s place on the fourth line, while GM Chris Drury hopes Reilly Smith can provide the top-six with the needed two-way spark.
Despite the talent on the roster, there are more uncertainties than ever following the Rangers’ second Eastern Conference Final exit in three seasons. The question remains: Can this team and its core secure the organization’s first Stanley Cup since 1994?
Key players Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin have yet to achieve the ultimate goal. Panarin, Zibanejad, and Kreider have struggled with consistency throughout a full postseason, and Fox played injured last postseason. Shesterkin has been dominant, but other role players need to step up to elevate the core.
Head Coach Peter Laviolette will aim to get more from several players heading into next season. Both veterans and young players must contribute significantly if the Rangers hope to win an elusive Stanley Cup.
These 3 Rangers Need to Step Up
While many Rangers players need to step up after last season’s playoff run, these three individuals, in particular, could significantly impact the season if they take on more prominent roles.
3. Zac Jones
Zac Jones made significant improvements last season compared to previous years. So, why is he on this list? The answer lies in the uncertainty surrounding his performance. During the 2023-24 season, Jones played in 31 games, the most in his NHL career.
Since being selected in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft, Jones has moved between the Hartford Wolf Pack and the Rangers. He hasn’t yet had a chance to stay with the main team consistently. However, with veteran defenseman Erik Gustafsson signing with the Detroit Red Wings in free agency, the Rangers will rely on Jones to fill that role.
Jones’ puck-moving and skating abilities will be a valuable addition to the lineup, but playing every day over an 82-game season is a significant challenge for a 23-year-old who hasn’t been a regular in the NHL. For the Rangers to succeed in the 2024-25 season, they need Jones to secure the sixth defenseman spot and maintain consistency to strengthen the blue line.
Last season, Jones scored nine points in 31 games, showing significant improvement, especially when taking on a more crucial role due to injuries to Ryan Lindgren and Jacob Trouba. This version of Jones is what the Rangers need this season, given the uncertainties in their defensive corps if he doesn’t perform well.
2. Kaapo Kakko
Kaapo Kakko is the Rangers player most in need of a breakout season. The 2019 second overall pick hasn’t produced at the expected level for his draft position. While he has become a reliable defensive forward, the Rangers need more offensive output from the Finnish player.
Drury signed Kakko to a one-year, $2.4 million contract this offseason. Despite speculation about a trade, it seems Kakko will still play significant minutes for the Rangers. Last season, he played 61 games, missing some due to injury, and scored only 19 points. Over 300 NHL games, Kakko has tallied just 117 points, with a career-high of 40 points in the 2022-23 season, the only year he played all 82 games, as the pandemic and injuries have often cut his seasons short.
At 23, Kakko is entering his sixth NHL season, and the Rangers are hoping for increased offensive production from him. A healthy, more productive Kakko would make the Rangers a stronger contender in the 2024-25 season. His teammate, Alexis Lafreniere, had a breakout season last year, demonstrating the positive impact a young forward can have.
For Kakko, this season could be his last chance to prove he can step up for the Rangers. There’s significant pressure on him to improve, but his development is crucial for the team’s success.
1. Jacob Trouba
With a captain’s “C” on his jersey and an $8 million cap hit, Jacob Trouba has faced high expectations since joining the Rangers in 2019—expectations he has yet to meet. This offseason was tumultuous, with rumors that Drury was seeking to trade their captain. However, no trade materialized due to Trouba’s 15-team no-trade list.
Following events in late June, there is a growing bitterness among fans towards Trouba, a sentiment likely to persist into the new season. Trouba must work to turn those potential boos into cheers and have a strong comeback season.
Despite the discontent, Trouba appears set to remain on the Rangers’ blue line for the 2024-25 season. Notably, the team’s defensive metrics improved significantly when Trouba was sidelined with an ankle injury at the trade deadline. Given his substantial cap hit, the Rangers can’t afford another underwhelming season from their captain.
If Trouba can regain his form, the blue line will be stronger and more intimidating. If his decline continues, he becomes an expensive liability. Trouba is a prime candidate for a bounce-back season, but whether he will be relegated to third-pair minutes remains uncertain. Regardless, the Rangers need more from Trouba, and he needs to prove himself to the team.
As we look ahead to the 2024-25 NHL season, it seems the Rangers’ strategy of relying on their core group remains unchanged. Improved performances from supporting players will be crucial, but much attention will be on Jones, Kakko, and especially Trouba, as the season kicks off in October.
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