Top NY Rangers MVP Candidates for 2024-25.
The NY Rangers have an abundance of talented players who provide value in various ways. While many could be considered for team MVP, three stand out as the most likely candidates to lead the team in 2024-25.
Artemi Panarin.
Artemi Panarin is the best candidate for Rangers MVP in 2024-25 and deserves more respect around the league. While it’s unlikely he’ll match his 49-goal, 120-point season, he’s averaged 1.31 points per game since joining the Rangers, which would equate to 108 points over a full season. Panarin has averaged 27 goals and 81 points per year, which are definite MVP numbers[1].
Adam Fox.
Adam Fox is poised to be the Rangers’ best defenseman for years to come. At 27, he’s getting progressively better and is coming off a point-per-game season with 73 points and 17 goals in 72 games. Extrapolated over 82 games, that’s 83-84 points and 19-20 goals. Assuming Fox puts together his best season yet, he’ll be firmly in the MVP conversation[1].
Igor Shesterkin.
Igor Shesterkin may be the Rangers’ best chance at MVP in 2024-25. If he can put up Vezina-caliber numbers again with a 0.920 save percentage and 2.45 GAA, which would be better than his previous two seasons, he could take over games and make a strong case for MVP. Shesterkin got hot in the second half last season and playoffs, so if he continues that level of play, he’ll be tough to beat[1].
These three players – Panarin, Fox, and Shesterkin – are the most likely candidates to lead the Rangers to success in 2024-25 based on their talent, track record, and potential for even greater performance.
Three guys that will be playing for the NY Rangers for the final time.
The NY Rangers are recognized as one of the dominant franchises in the NHL during the 2020s, even without a Stanley Cup victory. However, with significant financial commitments needed to retain key players like Igor Shesterkin and Alexis Lafrenière, General Manager Chris Drury faces challenging decisions to maintain the team’s core.
While the specifics of which players will stay or be traded remain uncertain, it’s clear that some will not be part of the roster by the end of the 2024-25 season or the 2025 offseason. Here’s a look at a few players likely to depart as the current season unfolds.
Kaapo Kakko.
Kaapo Kakko was initially expected to be re-signed and then traded, but as August nears its end, no such move has occurred yet. If the Rangers decide to trade him by the 2025 deadline, it’s likely he will be included in a deal with a team that is out of playoff contention. Unless he becomes a crucial part of the team, it seems improbable that he will finish the season in New York. If he doesn’t establish himself, he will likely be auditioning for other teams by the end of the season.
Jonathan Quick.
After a strong season as Igor Shesterkin’s backup, Jonathan Quick is returning for another year, but he will be 38 during the 2024-25 season. It raises questions about his ability to maintain his performance level. For a team aiming for a Stanley Cup in 2025, they may want to stick with what worked last season, where Quick occasionally outperformed Shesterkin until Shesterkin found his rhythm. Quick would need an exceptional season to remain beyond this year, and there are also uncertainties about his desire to continue playing after 2025.
Jacob Trouba.
Jacob Trouba’s potential departure has been widely discussed, especially given his limited no-trade clause. Following a summer filled with trade rumors and a near-trade to the Detroit Red Wings, it’s unlikely he will remain with the Rangers past the 2024-25 season. If he finds a favorable situation elsewhere, he could be involved in a significant trade during the 2025 offseason, likely to a contender.
Overall, the Rangers face critical decisions regarding their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.
A prominent hockey publication shows scant respect for the NY Rangers winger.
For many wingers, being ranked fifth is an achievement to celebrate, and it’s likely that few would dispute Artemi Panarin’s high standing among his peers. However, after a standout season in 2023-24, Panarin warranted at least a top-three position on the NHL Network’s Top 20 Wingers List, if not higher.
To recap, Panarin was named a First Team All-Star and finished among the top five for the Hart Trophy, having scored 49 goals and amassed 120 points. While he has had impressive seasons before, his previous best was 96 points in 2021-22.
I acknowledge that Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning rightfully claims the No. 1 spot, but Panarin outperformed other notable players like Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers and Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche. One could even argue he had a better season than David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins.
Panarin Should Use His Ranking as Motivation for 2024-25.
The entire NY Rangers team is likely to be highly motivated for the 2024-25 season after narrowly missing the Stanley Cup Final and winning the Presidents’ Trophy. Panarin should take note of his ranking and use it as motivation to build on his impressive previous season.
Entering his age-33 season, Panarin shows no signs of decline since breaking into the NHL at 24 with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015-16. There’s no reason he can’t replicate or even surpass last season’s performance, proving he deserves a Top 3, or ideally a Top 2, ranking.
Interestingly, I was also surprised by Sam Reinhart’s ninth-place ranking. While he may not have matched Panarin’s point total with 94 points, his 57 goals are significant.
In my opinion, the rankings should have placed Kucherov at No. 1, Panarin at No. 2, and Reinhart at No. 3. Ultimately, while rankings are subjective and open to interpretation, it is still valid to critique them when necessary.
Three Potential Captaincy Choices Should the New York Rangers Trade Trouba, Jacob.
Following the announcement that the Toronto Maple Leafs will be changing their captaincy, with John Tavares passing the “C” to Auston Matthews, discussions have emerged regarding Tavares’s removal from the role. This situation has sparked a conversation about whether the New York Rangers should consider their own captaincy options, especially as they look to move on from Jacob Trouba.
If Trouba’s position becomes available ahead of the 2024-25 season, there are several strong candidates to fill the leadership void. The Rangers’ core is maturing, and their younger players are beginning to step up, allowing the organization to explore different paths if Trouba is traded.
Peter Laviolette is likely to play a crucial role in determining the new captain for this Original Six franchise. When Trouba was appointed captain, other potential candidates were not yet ready, and one player may have been overlooked. As we are currently in mid-August and hockey is not yet underway, it’s a good time to evaluate who could take over Trouba’s leadership role.
It’s important to note that the captaincy in hockey is largely symbolic. Appointing a new captain will not diminish the voices of the entire team, coaching staff, and management. Leadership is a collective effort, essential for a franchise’s success in such a demanding league. Everyone must contribute to this aspect, especially in a sport as challenging as hockey.
Before training camp, the New York Rangers have three unanswered questions.
The New York Rangers have had a relatively quiet offseason, making only a few notable moves, such as acquiring Reilly Smith and re-signing key defensemen Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider. Some may view this lack of major headlines as a positive development.
The addition of Smith is expected to enhance the team, as he is likely to play as the opening night right winger alongside Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers will maintain a similar roster to the one that set franchise records during the 2023-2024 regular season.
However, the lingering question is whether the Rangers can finally capture the Stanley Cup they’ve been pursuing for over 30 years. With training camp just weeks away, there are several uncertainties that need addressing.
Will New York Make a Significant Trade.
Many anticipated that the Rangers would pursue a top-six right winger to complement Kreider and Zibanejad. They did acquire Reilly Smith from Pittsburgh, who is expected to fill that role. Coming off a 40-point season, Smith should provide greater consistency than Jack Roslovic, who left for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Nevertheless, the Rangers have yet to land a major player, such as Trevor Zegras or Brady Tkachuk, leaving open the possibility for a trade during the season. The team has valuable trade assets, including Kaapo Kakko, who was re-signed to a one-year deal, and a prospect pool that remains intact. If a superstar becomes available and the Rangers are in contention, Chris Drury may make a bold move.
Jacob Trouba and the Captaincy Dilemma.
A pressing issue for the Rangers is justifying Jacob Trouba’s $8.5 million annual salary. Trouba has been relegated to a third-pair defenseman role behind Adam Fox and Braden Schneider and struggled during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Although there were rumors about trading Trouba, he remains with the team, partly due to personal circumstances.
While Trouba offers leadership and, when healthy, solid defensive contributions, it’s challenging for Drury to justify his salary. This could potentially be Trouba’s final season with the Rangers.
3. Is This the Year.
The most crucial question is whether this will be the year the Rangers make a serious push for the Stanley Cup. On the positive side, they were just six wins away from the final last season and return a largely unchanged roster. With elite players like Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers have the talent to succeed.
However, there are concerns. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers, the Rangers struggled in several areas. Apart from the line featuring Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere, the team was inconsistent at even strength. They have yet to secure a significant asset to support Kreider and Zibanejad at 5v5.
At this point, it’s unclear if the Rangers can finally lift the Stanley Cup this year. The long season will bring changes, and if the team follows a trajectory similar to 2023-2024, they may be active at the trade deadline. Improved health for players like Filip Chytil could also play a significant role in their success.
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