NHL Network Analyst Reveals Concerning Opinion On The New York Rangers Future As Retool Continues
Photo credit: AP Photo/Noah Murray
NHL Network Analyst Stu Grimson recently shared his opinion of the New York Rangers, as they undergo a retool. Grimson echoed a sentiment we'd all share at this point in time, as the team looks much, much different than last season, but with Mike Sullivan, there might remain a chance they improve. But for now, they're a bubble team.
The New York Rangers have to turn things around in 2025-26. With a new head coach and a plethora of new talent arriving in the lineup, the idea of becoming a playoff team seems uncertain at this moment.
After falling to 5th in the Metropolitan Division in 2024-25, the team would lose its shot at the playoffs, and would trigger a mass of trades, along with the firing of Peter Laviolette.
Since then, Chris Drury has torn down the core of the team from 2019-20, and given it a new look. The team was a subject of discussion on the NHL Network, as former enforcer, now analyst, Stu Grim would mention what he thought about the team's chances for the upcoming season.
«I think there are better days ahead,» Grimson said. «I just don't know that it happens overnight.»
The New York Rangers Are A Team On The Bubble
Grimson would later follow up on this statement that they're a team on the "bubble", meaning they have yet to accomplish what they set out for.
For Chris Drury, that means a run to the playoffs, and a team like the Rangers, which has had way too many moving pieces to build chemistry with just yet, it's up in the air at this point.
While everything looks great on paper with Vezina Trophy and Norris Trophy winners in Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin, paper isn't reality. After winning the President's Trophy in 2023-24, we saw the curse tear through the team with a vengeance.
Grimson echoed that belief. «They've got the personnel on paper,» he said. «You might look at this roster and say, 'That's a lock for a playoff spot,' even in a competitive Metro.»
Even if you hire a Stanley Cup-winning coach like Mike Sullivan, the skepticism rightly remains. They haven't had the chance to gel or learn Sullivan's system just yet. A system that relies on defensive responsibility.
Adding Vladislav Gavrikov was a smart move by Chris Drury, as he's known as a responsible defenseman who can eat minutes on the ice.
Gavrikov started over 61 percent of his shifts on the fly, often in neutral or defensive zone situations, per MoneyPuck.com. With just 6.2 percent of his shifts beginning in the offensive zone, Gavrikov was leaned on heavily in tough, top-line matchups and penalty-kill minutes - and helped make the Kings one of the best defensive teams in the NHL.
Yet even with Gavrikov to bolster Adam Fox, the blueline truly doesn't seem stabilized. With Carson Soucy, Will Borgen, Braden Schneider, Urho Vaakainainen, and Scott Morrow, only questions remain about the viability of the squad.
Who will slot in where? Will Gavrikov be a top-four defenseman? Will Braden Schneider play on his offside? Is Scott Morrow NHL-ready?
It's difficult to see the path Mike Sullivan will take with the Blueshirts' defense core this season.
While the bottom-six isn't such a chaotic subject, they have plenty of talent who could slot in there, including NHL-ready forwards like Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, and Gabe Perreault.
With Sam Carrick and Taylor Raddysh being the only NHL regulars, that means more spots will be open in the bottom-six.
We shouldn't count on the Rempire Towers being back, unfortunately, after acquiring Raddysh.
It is legitimately a "bubble" team.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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