The Rangers have already made one thing clear this offseason: the reset is real. Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and Brennan Othmann are out.
Pavel Dorofeyev, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson and Oliver Bjorkstrand are in. On paper, the roster looks stronger, and the path back to the playoffs looks cleaner.
But even with the retool in motion, there’s still a glaring issue in New York - star power. And according to former Rangers forward Mike Rupp, that was never supposed to be an accident.
On a recent episode of the Tri-State Hockey Podcast, Rupp said the Rangers have long had their eyes on Connor McDavid and were monitoring that situation closely. He believes the organization still has "a plan to do something big."
"I also think that they have always had an eye on Connor McDavid and that situation and monitoring that," Rupp said. "So I think there's probably a plan to do something big. It just hasn't come to fruition up to this point.
"I think they realize you've got to have, not just for luring other players in to play with them like you just mentioned with Artemi Panarin, but they need to have a dominant guy like that. So, I think they're always planning and maybe scheming for that. It just hasn't really presented itself up to this point."
That fits with how the Rangers have operated. They wanted Brady Tkachuk, but he wasn’t interested in being traded there. They also tried to position themselves for a big swing in free agency, only to watch the top names - from McDavid to Jack Eichel to Kirill Kaprizov - sign extensions with their current teams instead.
McDavid, though, still sits out there as the dream target. He’s on a two-year extension with the Oilers, which keeps free agency in play for the summer of 2028. There’s also the possibility that frustration in Edmonton could change the picture, especially after the Oilers were bounced in the first round of the playoffs this past season.
Of course, the Rangers won’t be alone if that door ever opens. Every team in the league would line up for a chance at one of the best players of this century.
But New York has shown it can land a name. Panarin came in.
So did Marian Gaborik. So did Wayne Gretzky.
That’s the kind of move that changes everything for a team like this. McDavid would be a massive addition and would instantly raise the Rangers’ ceiling. But before they can even dream that big, they need to prove they’re heading in the right direction.
This offseason was a reminder that reputation matters. Tkachuk and Dylan Larkin both effectively shut the door on New York by leaving the Rangers off their trade wish lists.
For a franchise that’s usually in the mix for elite talent, that was a real wake-up call. The drop-off since the 2024 trip to the Eastern Conference Finals has clearly taken a toll.
Even after finishing last in the Eastern Conference this past season, there were still encouraging words from some veterans about playing with younger players like Gabe Perreault and Adam Sykora. That’s useful inside the room, but it won’t be enough on its own to lure outside stars.
Chris Drury did make moves to improve the roster. Durzi and Pettersson should stabilize the second pair on defense, while fifth-overall pick Alberts Smits could factor into the third pair if he earns it in training camp. Dorofeyev brings a proven scoring touch, with a consistent 35-goal-a-season profile that should help the offense.
Now those upgrades have to translate into results. The Rangers need to climb out of the Eastern Conference basement and get back into the playoff picture quickly. They also have to make sure Drury’s handling of Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow didn’t leave a bad taste for future targets, McDavid included.
The big swing is still the dream. Whether it’s McDavid or the next star down the line, the Rangers have work to do before they can sell anyone on coming to New York.
In Other News...
Rangers Still Have One Winger Decision That Could Split Fans
The Rangers have already added Pavel Dorofeyev and Oliver Bjorkstrand to help their forward group, but the rest of the winger picture still feels unfinished. Daily Faceoffs projection has Dorofeyev, Bjorkstrand, Gabe Perreault and Alexis Lafreniere occupying the top six spots next season, which leaves New York with a familiar question: is the current depth good enough, or does one more established winger still need to be brought in?
For a team trying to sort through a limited set of upgrades, the free-agent market offers a few names that could change the conversation. Vladimir Tarasenko, Eeli Tolvanen and Patrik Laine all come with appeal and obvious concern, which is why the debate around this spot could easily split fans between patience and urgency. The Rangers have options, but the choice of whether to stand pat or chase another scorer may end up being one of the more interesting roster calls left on the board. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Face A Brutal Playoff Debate After Their Offseason Overhaul
The Rangers spent the offseason trying to reshape the roster around a clearer path back to the playoffs, adding Pavel Dorofeyev, Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi in moves aimed at giving the group more balance and depth. It is the kind of overhaul that signals urgency, especially for a team that knows how thin the margin can be in a crowded division.
Now the real question is whether those additions, along with continued growth from the players already in house, are enough to move the needle. New York still needs Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin healthy to anchor the foundation, and even then the path is hardly simple with the division competition the Rangers face. The offseason gave them options, but the debate over whether it changed their playoff outlook is still very much alive. [Read more 🡒]