Uncertainty Growing for the Rangers After Expensive Off-Season

The Rangers also traded longtime forward Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks, while they also traded defenseman K'Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes. But they did gain defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov from the Los Angeles Kings with a multi-year deal.

Why Every Solution Sparks Another Dilemma for New York Rangers

Per longtime Rangers analyst Larry Brooks, the Rangers have been essentially in 'a holding pattern' since their first few moves of the summer.

Chris Kreider was traded on June 12. K'Andre Miller was traded on July 1. Earlier that same day, the Blueshirts signed free agent defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov out of Los Angeles for seven years at an AAV of $7 million to team with Adam Fox on the first pair. The organization has pretty much been in a holding pattern since then.

Brooks also raised questions on whether the replacement of Laviolette by Sullivan would be adequate, how Gavrikov would fare replacing Miller on defense, and if Igor Shesterkin can bounce back from a subpar year in the 1st year of his major new contract extension.

Key Storylines as Rangers Prepare for Flyers Rookie Showdown

It won't be long before the Rangers rookies face the rookies from the divisional foe Philadelphia Flyers in a pair of games in Allentown, PA.

Perhaps the biggest storyline for the Rangers this year will be how Sullivan adjusts to a new environment after nearly 10 years with the Penguins, during which he won the Stanley Cup twice.

Additionally, the Rangers start a new era without Chris Kreider, and they also don't have a captain following the controversial trade of Jacob Trouba to the Ducks last year.