The New York Rangers have been riding a wave of momentum, stringing together three straight wins over Thanksgiving week and showing flashes of the team many expected to see this season. But that momentum hit a snag over the weekend-not just in the form of a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but with a significant blow to their blue line.
Defenseman Adam Fox, one of the Rangers' most vital pieces, has landed on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body injury. And make no mistake, this is a major loss. Head coach Mike Sullivan didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Obviously, Foxy is not an easy guy to replace for so many reasons,” Sullivan said. “I'm sure I'm stating the obvious when I say that, but we're going to put a game plan together based on the people that we have to try to set our group up for success.”
That’s coach speak, sure-but it’s also reality. Fox isn’t just another top-four defenseman.
He’s a Norris Trophy winner, a power play quarterback, and a stabilizing force on both ends of the ice. After a rocky 2024-25 campaign, Fox had found his form again this year, racking up 26 points in 27 games and looking every bit like the elite defenseman the Rangers rely on.
Now, New York has to figure out how to move forward without him-and it won’t be easy. Fox’s impact stretches beyond the Rangers’ blue line. He’s also a serious candidate for Team USA’s Olympic roster, which adds another layer of complication for Sullivan, who’s set to coach that squad as well.
From a tactical standpoint, the Rangers will have to reconfigure their power play, which has been solid this season-converting at a 21.3% clip, good for 12th in the NHL. Fox has been a key driver of that success, handling the point and already contributing eight power play points. Without him, the Rangers will need to shift responsibilities, and Sullivan offered some insight into who might step up.
“The two obvious guys would be [Artemi Panarin] and Mika [Zibanejad] probably,” Sullivan said. “Mika can really shoot it.
I think [Panarin] sees it really well. He's also really good at getting pucks through.
His ability to get pucks down to the net into the areas of the rink we want to get them is a particular attribute that he's good at.”
That’s a solid starting point. Panarin’s vision and touch from the half wall, combined with Zibanejad’s lethal one-timer, give the Rangers some dangerous options.
But Fox’s absence changes the complexion of that top unit. His poise at the line, his ability to manipulate defenders and open lanes, and his seamless puck distribution are tough to replicate.
Tuesday night’s matchup against the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden will be the first real test of this new-look Rangers team. How they respond-on the power play, in transition, and in their own zone-will be telling.
Fox’s absence is a challenge, no doubt. But it’s also an opportunity for others to step up and for the coaching staff to get creative.
The Rangers have the talent. Now we’ll see if they have the depth and resilience to weather the storm.