New York Rangers Stanley Cup or bust: Staff predictions for 2024-25 NHL season
The New York Rangers drop the puck on the 2024-25 season Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
Though they fell short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final last season despite securing a franchise-record 114 points in the 2023-24 regular season, the defending Presidents’ Trophy winners are among the leading contenders to win that elusive Cup this season.
So, before the grind, and twists and turns of a long regular season, begins, our Forever Blueshirts staff has some Rangers predictions to share.
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Forever Blueshirts staff shares Rangers predictions for 2024-25
Each staff member will predict where the Rangers will finish in the Metropolitan Division, how deep a run they’ll make in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, who will be their team MVP, and who will be their biggest disappointment this season.
Jim Cerny – Executive Editor
Rangers regular season: 2nd in Metropolitan Division
Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lose in second round
Rangers MVP: Igor Shesterkin
Rangers biggest disappointment: Reilly Smith
Let’s start here: the Rangers are going to be really, really good again this season. Maybe not Presidents’ Trophy winners again, but certainly among the elite in the NHL. They are deep, talented and battle-tested. Still, I think the New Jersey Devils will win a close competition to finish first in the Metro, and then the Rangers will fall to their Hudson River rivals in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Of course, the nature of this sport and these teams is a bounce here and there, or a significant injury, could change everything. But for now, that’s how I see it. Igor Shesterkin is going to have a brilliant season and be a Vezina Trophy finalist, and will sign a massive contract extension during it all. And finally, Reilly Smith will be good — better than the low bar of Blake Wheeler and Jack Roslovic — but he, too, won’t find that chemistry to make the Mika Zibanejad-Chris Kreider pair shine 5v5. Smith could be on the third line by the second half of the season; and GM Chris Drury could be right-wing hunting again ahead of the trade deadline.
John Kreiser – Senior Staff Writer
Rangers regular season: 1st place in Metropolitan Division
Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lose in Eastern Conference Final
Rangers MVP: Adam Fox
Rangers biggest disappointment: Chris Kreider
The Rangers are still the best team in the Metropolitan Division and should repeat as champions, even if they don’t win the Presidents’ Trophy for the second straight season. They will bump off a wild-card team in the opening round and defeat a Metro Division rival (likely New Jersey or Carolina) in the second round. But the lack of depth that’s bitten them in the Eastern Conference Final for two of the past three seasons will get them again and keep them from reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2014. Adam Fox’s value to the Rangers was evident in the playoffs this past spring. He was largely playing on one leg after the first round, and his physical limitations hurt them badly. A healthy Fox is one of the elite defensemen in the NHL; he makes the power play go, devours ice time and has a hockey IQ that’s off the charts. If anything, he is underrated. Kreider has been better in his 30s than his 20s, but at age 33 he’s more likely to see his goal-scoring line fall to the upper 20s from the upper 30s.
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Dane Walsh – Staff Writer
Rangers regular season: 1st in Metropolitan Division
Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs: Defeat Edmonton Oilers in 6 games to win Stanley Cup
Rangers MVP: Igor Shesterkin
Rangers biggest disappointment: Ryan Lindgren
I think this is the year New York finally puts it all together. The Rangers are essentially picking up right where they left off with the same core and almost the same team that reached the Eastern Conference Final last season. I think Smith finally fills the void on the Zibanejad line, and with Filip Chytil back in the mix, the Rangers depth is unmatched. The Rangers will finally make it to the Cup Final, and take down the Oilers in six games, with Shesterkin as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner. I think Ryan Lindgren ends the season as the biggest disappointment. With his injury issues, K’Andre Miller will ascend and be a great fit on the first pair with Fox. If Lindgren has a different partner, I’m not so sure he’ll be nearly as effective as he is with Fox, and won’t be re-signed next summer when he becomes a UFA.
Lou Orlando – Staff Writer
Rangers regular season: 1st in Metropolitan Division
Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lose Game 6 of Stanley Cup Final
Rangers MVP: Igor Shesterkin
Rangers biggest disappointment: Kaapo Kakko
Despite a generally unimpressive offseason, the Rangers still boast one of the best rosters in the East and retain the bulk of a squad that won the Presidents’ Trophy last season. Expect Alexis Lafreniere to build off a brilliant postseason campaign, and a healthy Chytil should add an extra layer of scoring to a team that has plenty of offensive talent. I expect Zibanejad to bounce back, and Smith is a clear upgrade over last year’s medley of options. But it’s Shesterkin who firmly cements the Blueshirts in the upper echelon of the NHL. Hungry to prove his worth in a contract year, the Rangers should get another brilliant season from the best goaltender in the NHL. Even if Kakko, likely in his final year with the Rangers, or other role players flop, the Blueshirts have enough talent and a clear appetite to add ahead of the trade deadline to edge out the Devils and Hurricanes in the Metro and set themselves up for another deep postseason run. A productive deadline could very well get them past the Panthers or any other formidable foe in the East, but stacked teams like Dallas, Edmonton, and Vancouver in the West are likely too much for this team to go all the way.
Conor Armstrong – Staff Writer
Rangers regular season: 2nd in Metropolitan Division
Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lose in second round
Rangers MVP: Igor Shesterkin
Rangers biggest disappointment: Kaapo Kakko
With the 2024-25 season kicking off on Wednesday night, I believe the Rangers will finish second in the Metropolitan Division behind the Devils, continuing their strong regular-season form but ultimately falling short in the playoffs, with an early exit in the Eastern Conference Second Round. Shesterkin will be their MVP, once again proving why he’s one of the best goaltenders in the League, especially as he plays for a new contract that could make him one of, if not the, highest-paid goalies in NHL history. His performance will be critical, with the Rangers relying heavily on his ability to steal games as they push for a deeper playoff run. However, the biggest disappointment will likely be Kakko, whose six-year tenure on Broadway seems destined to end on a sour note. Despite being the second overall pick in 2019 and showing flashes of brilliance, Kakko has never been able to consistently produce at the level expected of him, and I believe this season will be no different. With his confidence waning and his role on the team uncertain, it’s hard to imagine the Rangers holding on to him after yet another underwhelming season, bringing a disappointing chapter to a close.
Matt Calamia – Staff Writer
Rangers regular season: 1st in Metropolitan Division
Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lose in second round
Rangers MVP: Igor Shesterkin
Rangers biggest disappointment: Lack of upgrades to roster
I expect the Rangers to take a step back after the historic regular season in 2023-24. But with that said, I think the division is still theirs. Carolina’s depth and talent took a hit this offseason, and while I think New Jersey improves, I don’t believe they have enough to overtake New York for the division title. I think the Rangers get out of the first round of the playoffs before losing to either the Hurricanes or Devils in the second round, though. This team lives and dies with Shesterkin. It’ll be interesting to see if the lack of a contract takes a toll on his play, but the Rangers need him to be their best player, especially come postseason time. And he will be. Cheating a little here on the disappointment, but Drury’s inability to improve a team that didn’t look especially good over its last nine playoff games this past spring could come back to bite the Rangers. They’ll have some salary cap space, but a depleted prospect pool and lack of draft capital will make additions ahead of the deadline — something that’s become an annual rite of spring in New York — more difficult.
Madison Hutchinson – Staff Writer
Rangers regular season: 3rd in Metropolitan Division
Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lose in second round
Rangers MVP: Adam Fox
Rangers biggest disappointment: Jacob Trouba
I think the Rangers will finish third this season in the Metropolitan Division behind the Devils and Hurricanes. They won’t be as dominant as last season, the Devils will have a bounce-back year, and the Hurricanes will remain a top competitor in the division. The Rangers will make the Stanley Cup Playoffs and make it through the first round but falter in the second round, especially if they face the Devils. The MVP for the season will be Fox. He’ll be a solid offensive contributor and make a case for himself as a Norris Trophy candidate again. The biggest disappointment of the season will be Jacob Trouba. He’ll be looking to prove himself after an offseason of trade rumors, but may not be able to find a clear role while pairings like Fox and Miller see success. Patience will wear thin if he continues to take costly penalties.
Ricky Milliner – Staff Writer
Rangers regular season: 1st in Metropolitan Division
Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lose in Stanley Cup Final
Rangers MVP: Chris Kreider
Rangers biggest disappointment: Chad Ruhwedel
The Rangers will be running it back with the same core, with Drury’s mission to win the Stanley Cup. The Rangers are expected to dominate in the regular season once again, and should, but the biggest test will come in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The success of the end goal will depend on multiple key players on the roster. Excluding Shesterkin, Kreider is the most important piece and he will be the Rangers MVP, especially in the postseason. He showed he can get it done and push the team further when it’s needed. Going back to the series against Carolina, Kreider was the main reason the club advanced. If Kreider can continue to produce offense and push the team further, then the group can get to the next level. Ultimately, I see them losing in the Cup Final. The biggest disappointment of the season will be a depth defenseman, Chad Ruhwedel. Though he brings experience and a Cup ring to the roster, I could see him flop if he has to play too often because of injuries to other defensemen. He could end up on waivers or in Hartford of the AHL before this season is over.
Matthew Mugno – Staff Writer
Rangers regular season: 1st in Metropolitan Division
Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs: Stanley Cup champions
Rangers MVP: Igor Shesterkin
Rangers biggest disappointment: Will Cuylle
The Rangers are in a do-or-die season and I think they are going to do it, win it all for the first time since 1994. The Rangers will seize first place in the division, though does it even matter where they land in the regular season? It’s the playoffs that count. Shesterkin will lead the way, all the way. No. 31 nullifies the 31-year drought. I said it recently on my podcast, something going to be bad or unexpected, but I can’t figure out what. If Artemi Panarin scores more than 80 points, if Lafreniere continues to grow, and so on, and so on, who disappoints? If Chytil is injured again, that’s more of a concern for humanity than hockey. Will Cuylle could tumble backward in his sophomore season. But it won’t slow down the Rangers. New York only knows how to get it done through hell, and this team has the makings of a champion.
Alan Selavka – Staff Writer
Rangers regular season: 1st in Metropolitan Division
Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lose in Stanley Cup Final
Rangers MVP: Igor Shesterkin
Rangers biggest disappointment: Kaapo Kakko
I think they Rangers will win the division again. The Devils could challenge, but the Rangers should comfortably be in the lead most of the season. The Blueshirts get over the hump in the conference final before running into a stronger foe out west (either the Dallas Stars or Edmonton Oilers) and lose in the Stanley Cup Final. In a contract year, Shesterkin steals several games for the Rangers when they are outplayed or out shot, ultimately leading the League in wins and earning the Vezina Trophy. Despite strong play and defensive ability, the points continue to elude Kakko, who could find himself scratched once again come playoff time in favor of a younger option or veteran deadline acquisition.
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