What Should Be on the Rangers’ Holiday Wish List? Three Things That Could Define Their Season
As the calendar flips to December, the New York Rangers find themselves at a critical juncture in the 2025-26 season. The holiday season is here, and while fans are stringing up lights and counting down to Christmas, there’s another wish list being quietly assembled in Rangers Nation - one that could shape the fate of this team not just for this season, but for years to come.
Let’s break down what should be at the top of the Rangers’ list as they enter a pivotal stretch of the campaign.
1. Health - Because This Team Can’t Afford to Break Down
The loss of Adam Fox to injured reserve isn’t just a bump in the road - it’s a gut punch. Fox isn’t just the Rangers’ best defenseman; he’s the engine that makes their blue line go.
His vision, puck movement, and ability to control the tempo from the back end are irreplaceable. And what makes this sting even more is that the entire structure of the Rangers’ defense was built around him.
Vladislav Gavrikov was brought in to give Fox a reliable partner. Scott Morrow was acquired with the idea that he’d learn under Fox’s wing. The entire blueprint was designed to elevate No. 23 - and now he’s sidelined.
And it’s not just Fox. Vincent Trocheck only recently returned after missing significant time, and the Rangers have already been juggling the lineup to stay afloat.
This team has the talent to contend, but that only matters if the key pieces are on the ice. If there’s one thing the hockey gods could grant this team heading into the heart of the season, it’s a clean bill of health.
2. Wins - Especially on Home Ice, Where the Struggles Are Real
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Rangers need to stack some wins - and fast. That’s not exactly a bold statement, but the urgency is real. The standings are tight in the Metropolitan Division, and the Rangers can’t afford to let valuable points slip away, especially at Madison Square Garden.
Home ice is supposed to be a fortress. Right now, it’s been anything but.
Too many missed opportunities, too many slow starts, and not enough consistency. That has to change - and December offers the perfect opportunity to flip the script.
This month is loaded with key matchups. The Rangers will play 15 games in December, including divisional tilts against the Capitals (twice), Islanders, Flyers, and a late-month showdown with the Hurricanes.
These aren’t just games - they’re measuring sticks. And with the Olympic break looming in February, December becomes a crucial runway to build momentum and bank points before the schedule gets even more unpredictable.
3. Continuity - Because This Core’s Future Isn’t Guaranteed
Here’s the reality: no matter how this season ends, the Rangers are going to face some tough decisions in the offseason. The biggest one? Artemi Panarin.
The Breadman has been a cornerstone of this team’s offense, but his future in New York could hinge on how flexible he’s willing to be with his next contract. If he’s open to taking a hometown discount, the Rangers might be able to keep the core intact and take another swing - or two - at a deep playoff run.
But if not? Things could get complicated in a hurry.
This is a team that’s been building toward something for a few years now. There’s talent, there’s chemistry, and there’s belief.
But the salary cap doesn’t care about any of that. If the numbers don’t line up, the Rangers could be staring down the barrel of another rebuild - or at the very least, a major reshuffling.
A strong finish to the 2025-26 campaign, and a legitimate playoff push, could change the entire conversation. It could convince the front office to double down.
It could convince Panarin to stay. It could convince the fans that this group has more than just one run in them.
The Bottom Line
So, what’s on the Rangers’ holiday wish list? Health, wins, and continuity. Three things that sound simple on paper, but could define the season - and the future - of this franchise.
December is here. The lights are up, the music is playing, and the games are coming fast. For the Rangers, it’s time to turn wishful thinking into action - before the window starts to close.