The New York Rangers’ 2023-24 season was a catastrophic disappointment. After finishing at the top of the regular season standings, they failed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs, prompting a massive shake-up within the organization. With significant changes already underway, the team is now on the brink of a major transformation.
The departure of head coach Peter Laviolette, the trade of longtime core member Chris Kreider, and a renewed focus on retooling the roster have left fans and experts wondering: is General Manager Chris Drury planning a complete rebuild or a retool-on-the-fly?
A Shift in Leadership and Roster Changes
One of the first signs of change came with the firing of head coach Peter Laviolette. In his place, the Rangers hired Mike Sullivan, former head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sullivan’s championship-winning experience brings a fresh energy to the team and a new direction.
Along with the coaching change, Chris Kreider, a key player for many years, was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a prospect and draft pick. These moves, combined with the start of the off-season, signal that the Rangers are serious about reshaping the team’s future.
Chris Drury’s Mandate and Team Direction
As GM, Chris Drury has the full backing of Rangers’ owner James Dolan, reflected in his recent contract extension. Drury is expected to make bold moves, but the question remains whether he will completely rebuild the team from scratch or take a more measured approach and retool the current roster.
Given Dolan’s history of resisting full rebuilds and Drury’s previous success in assembling a competitive team, a retool seems more likely than a complete overhaul.
Key players like Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller, Igor Shesterkin, Adam Fox, and Mika Zibanejad are not likely to be traded. These players are essential to the team’s future and are signed for multiple years, making them crucial pieces that the Rangers won’t easily part with.
This suggests that Drury will focus on retooling the roster by trading less essential pieces and making smart moves in free agency.
The Kreider Trade and Salary Cap Space
The trade of Kreider, who had been a cornerstone of the Rangers’ lineup, opened up $6.5 million in salary cap space. However, the team only has $14.9 million in total cap space, which is far from enough to make a significant splash in free agency. One key player whose future might be in flux is blueliner K’Andre Miller, an RFA.
Miller’s contract demands could limit the Rangers’ ability to acquire veteran players, potentially leading to his trade as part of a larger roster shake-up.
The Role of Trades in the Rebuild
With limited cap space and only a small number of assets available for signing free agents, it seems likely that Drury will turn to trades to reshape the team’s roster. However, the Rangers are somewhat limited in their ability to make trades due to no-trade or no-move clauses in the contracts of several key players.
That said, Drury has shown he’s unafraid to trade players with these clauses—such as the trades of Kreider and former captain Jacob Trouba. However, the market for these players may not be as robust as Drury hopes, meaning he might need to get creative in making moves.
Lafreniere’s Future in Question
One player whose future may be uncertain is 23-year-old winger Alexis Lafreniere. Despite his potential, Lafreniere’s performance dropped significantly this season, going from 28 goals last year to just 17 goals this year. As he enters the first season of a seven-year extension with a $7.45 million annual salary, there could be buyer’s remorse from the Rangers’ front office.
Drury has already traded another high draft pick in Kaapo Kakko, who went on to have a successful stint with the Seattle Kraken, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Lafreniere were also moved as part of a retooling process.
Looking Ahead: A New Era for the Rangers
Regardless of which players are traded or signed, it’s clear that the Rangers will look significantly different by the time training camp begins. With a mandate to return to the playoffs as soon as possible, Drury cannot afford to bring back the same group of players.
The Rangers’ current roster is built to compete now, and any moves made in the coming weeks will focus on making this team a more competitive force heading into the 2025-26 season. Fans can expect a revamped roster with a stronger focus on playoff contention.
The New York Rangers are in the midst of a major retooling process after a disappointing 2023-24 season. While a full rebuild seems unlikely, changes are already underway, with key trades and coaching shifts. GM Chris Drury’s plan appears to be focused on reshaping the team without a total overhaul.
With major players like Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller, and Igor Shesterkin staying put, the Rangers will rely on trades and smart acquisitions to strengthen their roster and position themselves as playoff contenders once again. The upcoming months will be crucial in shaping the team’s future.
