3 New York Rangers Who Are Reportedly At Risk of Being Wavied Throughout The 2025 Season
The New York Rangers have made it through the offseason without a hitch, as they've welcomed Mike Sullivan into the fold. All the while, GM Chris Drury works to continue to fill out a team that looked like a shell of the unit they were in 2023-24, which won a Presidents' Trophy. Mika Zibanejad, Braden Schneider, and Artemi Panarin will have to put their best foot forward in 2025 or else suffer the potential consequences.
Chris Drury signed a multi-year extension at the end of the 2024-25 season in the hopes he can right the ship in New York.
Since then, he's hired Mike Sullivan, traded K'Andre Miller, and added prospect Scott Morrow, in addition to multiple extensions this offseason.
The team will have to have a bounce-back year for Drury, as the team aims for "win-now" status in the NHL. But first, they'll need contributions from three players who have been lacking in play in 2025.
Artemi Panarin
Artemi Panarin is in the final year of his deal he signed with the New York Rangers in 2019. Coming from Columbus to New York in free agency, the team had high hopes for the superstar Russian forward, while his $81.5 million contract isn't in dispute, his postseason play has been lacking.
Not to mention, last season he showed flaws in his game on the ice, with a -9, in addition to a decline in production to the tune of 31 points.
If he cannot step up to the plate for the 2025-26 season, could this be his last year as a Ranger?
Braden Schneider
Braden Schneider and Zac Jones looked to be one of the Rangers' reliable pairings for the future. Since then, Zac Jones signed as an RFA with the Buffalo Sabres. Could Schneider's game be under the microscope in 2025? Will he have to make a case for himself?
His flaws on the ice have been apparent, as the physical defender has tried to add an offensive element to his game, which leaves much to be desired. His mistakes on the backend of the puck have left fans puzzled as to why he wasn't moved in the offseason. He'll have to produce at a higher level on both ends of the ice to justify keeping him around or find a new team.
Mika Zibanejad
Though it seemed as if Mika Zibanejad might hit the trade block following the trade of his BFF, Chris Kreider, the Rangers chose to keep him otherwise.
With Head Coach Mike Sullivan reaching out and getting to know him before the season starts, the team is approaching him with good faith in the hopes that he rebounds as a producer in 2025. With JT Miller in the lineup and Vinnie Trocheck playing 1C minutes, Zibanejad could find his new home on the wing. Can he justify staying there, or will he be traded after the 2nd of the next season?
Previously on NY Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 20 | 175 ANSWERS 3 New York Rangers Who Are Reportedly At Risk of Being Wavied Throughout The 2025 Season Who should GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers trade in 2025-26? | ||
| Mika Zibanejad | 97 | 55.4 % |
| Artemi Panarin | 51 | 29.1 % |
| Braden Schneider | 27 | 15.4 % |
| List of polls | ||