5 Veterans Rangers Will Retool Around

The New York Rangers have had a very tough run as of late and rough past two seasons. Certain changes haven't worked out and GM Chris Drury put out a statement that the team will be going through a retooling. That could mean a lot for many of the players.

While Artemi Panarin is likely gone, Jonathan Quick is most likely in his last season with the Rangers or the league, and some other tradeable pieces could be on the way out, some talented players will be staying put to build around. This should include the likes of Mika Zibanejad, Igor Shesterkin, J.T. Miller, Adam Fox, and Vladislav Gavrikov, all veterans with no-move clauses who have expressed interest to stay.

The Rangers are a sought after destination for players, but when the team isn't doing well and there have been problems, it is a little less so. That is trying to be changed as the core of the team have the ability to be a very good team as shown two seasons ago in 2023-24 when the Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy with 55 wins and 114 points.

Miller and Gavrikov are more recent additions, and even though Miller hasn't been the best example of what a leader is, he is still a very good player. A big problem with the Rangers has been depth and overall team chemistry. With the high salaries to a number of players, it has limited the ability to bring in capable supporting players and depth pieces.

The injury to Shesterkin also exposed just how much work has to be done as he was covering up much of the issues with the team with his excellent play.

If you notice who wasn't included in the players the Rangers are going to retool around, it's Alexis Lafreniere and Vincent Trocheck. This doesn't mean they are going to be traded, but both could fetch strong returns, free up plenty more money along with players like Panarin and Carson Soucy being moved, and really give the team the opportunity to make the right changes. This isn't guaranteed to go the way the Rangers want. Maybe they end up something like how the Boston Bruins have been this season. Not great like they once were, but better than average and with a chance to make the playoffs.

There are some very good players on the Rangers, and as long as Shesterkin, Fox, and some of the other players are there, this team can be built up to be good again. This is the logical first step to retool and make it known to everyone.

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