Two New York Rangers Who Most Bounce Back This Season Under Mike Sullivan: Future Depends On It
Photo credit: NHL.com
In 2025-26, we could see the New York Rangers turn a new leaf, with Mike Sullivan leading the way. As a coach who preaches defensive responsibility, we could see Igor Shesterkin relax and return to form. Though we don't know his plans for Mika Zibanejad just yet, we speculate that keeping him on the wing could see him post numbers closer to 90 points than the last two seasons.
The New York Rangers saw a complete collapse last season. The team as a whole would take a step back, key players wouldn't produce, and the team would trade away big pieces in an attempt to retool.
Jacob Trouba and the beginning of the descent
For the Rangers, last season needs to be put in the history books as a failure and something to be learned from. According to The Hockey News, Chris Drury and Jacob Trouba's dispute led to a trade request, and thus began the downfall.
«It took almost six months until Trouba finally agreed to a trade. How that trade was mishandled proved to be the difference-maker in terms of Drury ruining his team's season,» Rubenstein said. «The rest of the locker room was eyewitness to the public humiliation of Trouba, not only was he the team leader but one who the players both liked and respected.
With Trouba and Kreider in Anaheim, the team will have a chance to begin 2025 with a clean slate and a new coach.
Two players on the Rangers need to bounce back in order to put themselves into contention territory once again.
Igor Shesterkin
For Igor Shesterkin, last year was a down year, finishing with a .906 save percentage and a 2.89 GAA. At $11.5 million AAV, and a former Vezina Trophy winner, we know he can do better. He'd struggle with injuries part of the year, but would attempt to save face by playing his best, but failed to look the part.
For Head Coach Mike Sullivan, it's about responsible play in front of the net and giving a play like Shesterkin a chance to breathe. Sullivan has coached Marc-Andre Fleury in the past and helped turn Matt Murray into a Cup winner.
As we all know, talent alone doesn't win championships. Teams win championships,» he stated during his introductory press conference. «I think that's going to be our challenge from day one, is to become a team in the true sense of the word. I can't really comment on what's evolved here in the past. All I can speak to is what we can potentially build here moving forward.»
Mika Zibanejad
For the New York Rangers to find themselves in playoff territory, Mika Zibanejad will have to have a season closer to his 90-point year. Last season saw his production dip for the first time in five seasons, scoring only 62 points (20-42). For the Rangers, that's a hefty price for Zibanejad at $8.5 million AAV a season, with five years of term left.
Since the Rangers traded Chris Kreider, his long-time BFF and linemate, it appears he may be slotted in next to JT Miller and Will Cuylle from here on out, depending on how Mike Sullivan feels.
With Miller as his center, a bounce-back seems on the horizon for him.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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