The New York Rangers are on a mission to retool and reclaim their place as a championship contender. With a net rating of plus-26 and a top-five goalie in Igor Shesterkin, they've made significant strides. However, the real test lies in their ability to execute a successful retool and push towards the championship ceiling that's eluded them for 32 years. Here are six keys to their success:
Can Gabe Perreault reach Nikita Kucherov's level?
Perreault, a 21-year-old winger, has the potential to be a dynamic playmaker. The Rangers are counting on him emerging as a homegrown top-six player, but it will require support from other young forwards like Liam Greentree and Cole Beaudoin. The system still lacks high-end talent, and it's crucial for Drury and director of amateur scouting John Lilley to focus on this.Make the defense a strength
The Rangers' defense has improved significantly with the addition of Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson. This gives them a brand-new second pair with complementary skill sets, allowing the rest of the group to slot into more suitable roles. With Adam Fox atop the defensive depth chart, followed by Vladislav Gavrikov, Durzi, and Pettersson, New York's top four has a chance to be sturdier than at any point since its 2014 Stanley Cup Final run.Establish Lafrenière as a top-line winger
Lafrenière, who signed a seven-year, $52.15 million extension in Oct. 2024, needs to build on last season's momentum. He may never become the star many envisioned when he was selected first overall in 2020, but it's hard to see the retool working if he can't regularly put up 70-80 points per season.Dorofeyev scores 30-plus goals every year
Dorofeyev, who signed a seven-year, $77 million extension after sending three draft picks to the Vegas Golden Knights, needs to consistently hit that 30-goal marker to live up to the contract and jolt an offense that's sagged in recent years.The team has to be good by 2027-28
The Rangers are aiming for the playoffs this coming season, but if they end up back in the NHL Draft Lottery next summer, it wouldn't be the worst thing for their long-term outlook. They still own the rights to their 2027 first-round pick and could use it to target another young building block.Acquire a future 1C
The Rangers recognize that they still need firepower up front and are actively seeking it. They're open to both centers and wingers because they believe they can squeeze a couple more productive seasons out of Mika Zibanejad and captain J.T. Miller. However, with both entering their age-33 seasons, identifying their eventual replacements must be a high priority.
