NHL writer explains reasons for Rangers' optimism in 2025-26 season

The New York Rangers have reasons for optimism for the 2025-26 season, despite having missed the playoffs in the previous NHL campaign.

The Athletic’s Vince Mercogliano argued that things cannot go worse than last year for the Rangers, and that the hiring of new coach Mike Sullivan, the appointment of a new captain and new reinforcements can only be positive.

"It can’t get worse, can it?” Mercogliano wrote. "Seemingly everything that could have gone wrong for the Rangers last season did, but they believe a full season with new captain J.T. Miller, the addition of (Vladislav) Gavrikov to stabilize the defense and bounce-back performances from a core that’s only a year removed from winning a Presidents’ Trophy will propel them back into playoff contention."

New York Rangers must find a balance between veterans and youth to succeed

The upcoming season is the ideal time for defenseman Adam Fox to take a step forward and be a key piece. The dependence on veteran players remains a risk, but they all still have the capacity to perform at the highest level.

Other veterans under pressure with little margin for error are Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Miller, Mika Zibanejad and goalie Igor Shesterkin. They must be an example for the younger players and justify their high salaries.

The multiple changes to the technical staff, players and locker-room leadership should boost the Rangers to return to the playoffs. The team seems to have learned from its mistakes, and if it keeps a good balance between veterans and youth, it will have the potential to go far.

The success of Sullivan's team will depend on how quickly the players adapt to the new system, on the prospects making a qualitative leap and on the veterans avoiding collapses in decisive moments.