The New York Rangers made it official this week: the team is shifting gears. In a letter addressed to fans, President and GM Chris Drury acknowledged what many around the league had already suspected - the Rangers are moving into seller mode ahead of the trade deadline. Call it a “retool” if you want, but the tone from the front office suggests something deeper than just a few tweaks around the edges.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that, not long ago, looked poised to be a serious contender in the Metropolitan Division. With Igor Shesterkin anchoring things in net, Adam Fox patrolling the blue line, and Artemi Panarin driving the offense up front, the Rangers had star power at every level. Add in the hiring of Mike Sullivan behind the bench - a coach with Stanley Cup pedigree - and there was real belief that New York could make a quick turnaround and jump right back into the playoff mix.
Instead, they’re heading the other way.
The timing of the announcement adds another layer of frustration for fans, especially with the first installment of the Hudson River Rivalry still weeks away. For reasons that defy explanation, the NHL scheduled the first Devils-Rangers matchup for March - a baffling move given the intensity and history of the rivalry.
These games have traditionally been appointment viewing, filled with playoff implications, bragging rights, and no shortage of physicality. Now, they’re shaping up to be more about pride than postseason positioning.
That’s not to say the Metropolitan Division has been a runaway - far from it. It’s been a strange, tightly packed race, with multiple teams hovering around the playoff bubble. But while others are scrapping for every point, the Rangers have made their direction clear: they’re looking ahead to the offseason.
It’s a decision that could have ripple effects beyond just this season. The last time the Rangers sent out a similar letter to fans, it preceded the franchise’s first-ever trade with the Devils - a rare cross-river deal that sent Michael Grabner to New Jersey in exchange for Yegor Rykov and a second-round pick.
Could we see another intra-division trade this year? It’s not out of the question.
With big names like Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox under contract and still in their primes, the Rangers could command a significant return if they’re willing to go that route.
Of course, that would be a bold move - one that would signal a full-scale rebuild rather than a retool. But with a new regime in place and the same type of letter being sent out as in years past, it’s fair to wonder just how far the Rangers are willing to go.
Meanwhile, across the Hudson, the Devils are trying to stay in the hunt. They’re currently four points out of the final Wild Card spot, and while that’s not an insurmountable gap, they’re also only four points ahead of the Rangers - not exactly a position of strength. If New Jersey wants to capitalize on a struggling conference and make a late push, the time to get hot is now.
But with both teams underperforming and the March rivalry games lacking stakes, this once-fiery matchup might not have the juice we’re used to. Matt Rempe throwing his weight around won’t hit the same when it’s happening on a team just playing out the string. The edge, the urgency, the playoff tension - all of that could be missing this time around.
For fans of the rivalry, that’s a tough reality. This series has delivered some of the league’s most memorable moments over the years. But this season, it looks like the Rangers are pressing pause on the chase - and the Devils are barely hanging on.
There’s still time for things to change, but as of now, the Hudson River Rivalry is heading into March with more questions than fire.