Reflecting on the Rangers’ 2024-25 Season: Key Takeaways and Future Outlook
The New York Rangers‘ 2024-25 season was a dramatic fall from grace.
After winning the Presidents’ Trophy the previous season, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs amid roster turnover and inconsistent play.
Despite the disappointment, several bright spots emerged that could provide hope for the future.
Key Takeaways
- J.T. Miller’s return to New York revitalized Mika Zibanejad’s play
- Will Cuylle’s breakout season showed he’s a cornerstone for the future
- Young talent, including Brett Berard and Brennan Othmann, showed promise
- Coaching and leadership issues plagued the team throughout the season
- Goaltending remained a strength despite defensive struggles
What Went Wrong for the Rangers in the 2024-25 NHL Season
From Presidents’ Trophy Winners to Playoff Outsiders
The Rangers became just the second team in franchise history and the fourth in NHL history to miss the playoffs the year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. This stunning collapse left fans and analysts searching for answers, especially given the high expectations set by their previous appearance in the NHL playoffs. The team that set franchise records with 55 wins and 114 points in 2023-24 couldn’t find the same magic this season.
Coaching and System Failures Under Peter Laviolette
Peter Laviolette’s second season behind the Rangers’ bench was nothing short of disastrous. After a spectacular first year, his system completely fell apart. Players appeared to check out midway through the season, and Laviolette himself seemed to give up when the team needed leadership most. His questionable lineup decisions, particularly scratching young talents like Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault during crucial late-season games, earned him a failing grade from most observers.
Core Veterans’ Disappointing Performances
The Rangers’ veteran core largely underperformed throughout the season:
- Mika Zibanejad struggled mightily before J.T. Miller’s arrival, earning a D grade
- Chris Kreider had one of the worst seasons of his career (D-grade), with just 22 goals and 8 assists while missing 14 games
- Alexis Lafreniere failed to take the expected leap forward after signing his extension, failing to reach 20 goals for the fourth time in five seasons.
Front Office Decisions and Their Impact on Team Chemistry
General Manager Chris Drury made several moves that reportedly created tension in the locker room. Early in the season, he sent a league-wide memo making numerous veterans available for trade, which many players found unsettling. While some deadline moves worked out, others, like acquiring struggling defenseman Carson Soucy for a third-round pick, were widely criticized.
The Silver Linings: Positive Takeaways from a Challenging Season
J.T. Miller’s Return and Immediate Impact
The biggest midseason acquisition was bringing J.T. Miller back to New York from Vancouver.
His impact was immediate and significant:
- Scored 13 goals and 35 points in just 32 games with the Rangers
- Matched his Vancouver production (35 points) in 8 fewer games
- Helped revitalize Mika Zibanejad’s play when they were paired together
- Zibanejad improved from 9 goals in his first 50 games to 11 goals in 32 games alongside Miller
Miller’s leadership and production earned him an A- grade, establishing him as a core piece moving forward.
Will Cuylle’s Breakout Season and Development
Perhaps the brightest spot of the Rangers’ season was Will Cuylle’s emergence as a legitimate NHL power forward:
- Improved from 13 goals/21 points as a rookie to 20 goals/45 points,
- Set a franchise record with 301 hits (third most in the NHL),
- Won the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award,
- Showed consistency when many veterans faltered.
At just 22 years old, Cuylle represents exactly the type of young talent the Rangers need to build around as they retool their aging core.
Goaltending Stability with Shesterkin and Quick
Despite the team’s struggles, goaltending remained a strength:
- Igor Shesterkin earned a B+ grade as the backbone of the team, though he faced challenges with inconsistent defense in front of him.
- Jonathan Quick continued his career renaissance at age 39, providing reliable backup play and reaching the milestone of 400 career wins—the most by any American-born goaltender.
- Both goalies received praise for their leadership and consistency during a turbulent season.
Young Talent Showing Promise in Limited Opportunities
Several young players showed flashes of potential:
- Brett Berard impressed in his first NHL stint with 6 goals and 4 assists, bringing energy and tenacity.
- Matt Rempe improved his all-around game, contributing 8 points and 117 hits while becoming a fan favorite.
- Adam Edstrom made significant strides before suffering a season-ending injury,
- Braden Schneider posted career highs across the board and showed versatility on the blueline.
Individual Player Assessments
Forward Line Evaluations
The Rangers’ forward corps showed significant inconsistency:
Top Performers:
- J.T. Miller (A-): Point-per-game player after acquisition,
- Will Cuylle (A-): Breakout season with 20 goals and franchise-record hits,
- Brett Berard (B+): Impressive in limited NHL time,
- Matt Rempe (B+): Improved skating and all-around game.
Disappointments:
- Chris Kreider (D-): Career-worst season, relegated to the bottom-six,
- Mika Zibanejad (D): Struggled badly before Miller’s arrival,
- Alexis Lafreniere (D): Failed to build on the previous season’s progress.
Defensive Pair Performances
The Rangers’ blueline was a mixed bag:
- Adam Fox (B): Struggled early but improved after returning from injury,
- Braden Schneider (B): Career-high numbers and versatility,
- K’Andre Miller (C-): Defensive struggles, though improved with Borgen,
- Will Borgen (C+): Solid addition who earned an extension.
- Urho Vaakanainen (C+): Showed offensive potential on the third pairing.
Goaltending Situation
The goaltending tandem was the team’s most consistent unit:
- Igor Shesterkin (B+): Remained elite despite defensive lapses in front of him,
- Jonathan Quick (B+): Excellent backup play and veteran leadership.
Looking Ahead: The Rangers’ Future Outlook
Potential Roster Changes for 2025-26
Several veterans could be on the move this summer:
- Chris Kreider: After a disappointing season, the long-time Ranger might have played his last game for the team.
- Mika Zibanejad: Despite his no-movement clause, his name will likely appear in trade rumors.
- K’Andre Miller: Entering restricted free agency after a down year.
Core Players to Build Around
The Rangers have several pieces to build their future around:
- J.T. Miller: Proved he can still be an impact player at 32,
- Will Cuylle: Emerging power forward with scoring touch,
- Igor Shesterkin: Elite goaltender entering his prime,
- Adam Fox: Still one of the league’s top defensemen despite a down year,
- Young prospects: Berard, Othmann, and Perreault show promise.
Free Agency and Trade Possibilities
The Rangers will need to be active this offseason to retool their roster. With several veterans potentially on the move, they’ll need to find the right mix of experienced players and youth to complement their core.
Salary Cap Considerations and Contract Situations
Will Cuylle is due for an extension after his breakout season, which the team should prioritize. The Rangers will also need to evaluate whether to extend or move on from K’Andre Miller as he enters restricted free agency.
Path Forward for the Blueshirts
The Rangers’ 2024-25 season was undoubtedly disappointing, but not without hope for the future.
With a new coach likely coming in, promising young talent developing, and core pieces like J.T. Miller and Igor Shesterkin to build around, the team has the potential to bounce back quickly.
The front office must make smart decisions this summer to ensure this season was merely a bump in the road rather than the start of a longer decline.
PHOTO: Tim Trad/Unsplash
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Categorized:Rangers WegENT Blog