The New York Rangers season starts tomorrow night, and this is one of the most uncertain teams in recent history. While last season’s team was atrocious, going into the season most thought they would be championship contenders. The last time people weren’t entirely sure what to believe might have been 2022, but even then the vibes were high with the Rangers top 6 forwards carrying the load that season. But given just how bad last year was, there are tempered expectations.

I’ve always been one who enjoys “thoughts” columns. I think covering a lot of ground is fun and given that the season is about to start, I might as well check in with my thoughts on different players. Let’s start with the Rangers top 6 forwards.

Artemi Panarin’s contract will be a focal point

Starting with the most successful forward who also happens to be on an expiring contract. I will likely cover this in greater detail later on, but I don’t think how Panarin performs should have a great impact on his contract status. Of course if he completely falls off, that’s worth noting. But for the most part, we know who Panarin is, and we know his value, but also his age. 

If it were up to me, I’d max out at four years (preferably fewer), and I’d strongly consider trading him at the deadline if the team is not obvious contenders. There will always be teams desperate at the deadline, and there’s nothing stopping you from re-signing Panarin in the ensuing offseason.

I do think the Rangers will sign Panarin by December, but I really would try to maintain the most options possible for as long as possible. 

JT Miller leads the Rangers top 6 forwards

I was a big proponent of the JT Miller trade even if the timing felt odd. My reasoning was that other than Panarin, the Rangers didn’t have a guy who would threaten to score at a point per game pace. It’s rare that teams can be a true contender with that little star power. My concern with Miller is his contract. It’s not a small contract (even with the rising cap) and his play style is very taxing on the body. 

That said, I’d like to see Miller show up as a true team leader this season. I expect to see him hustling more than anyone and bringing the rest of the team into the fight. It’s why he was named captain, but I don’t feel we saw a lot of that from him last season. 

Other than that, the Rangers are going to need the 99-point Miller, not the 60-point Miller. 

Mika Zibanejad needs a rebound year

Mika Zibanejad needs a good season and a strong start more than anyone on the Rangers. He needs to get off to a good start and maintain it throughout the season. My preference is to see Mika eventually end up back at center, giving the Rangers far stronger center depth (Noah Laba may help here, but we don’t know if and/or when he will stick with the Blueshirts. But if Mika has to stay on the wing, he better produce. Hopefully the mind games are behind us, though losing his pal Chris Kreider couldn’t have helped with that. 

Zibanejad has looked good in the preseason, so here’s hoping that translates into the regular season. The Rangers top 6 forwards needs him to contribute in a big way to take pressure off both Miller and Panarin.

Alexis Lafreniere needs to take the next step

I remain a huge believer in Alexis Lafreniere as a core member of the Rangers top 6 forwards. I don’t think he’s going to be a 100 point player, but I think he can be a 75 point guy who’s reliable in big moments and on the first powerplay unit. The key for me is opportunity. Lafreniere needs to be glued to that top unit, no ifs ands or buts. I don’t care if there are five players performing better than him, he needs to be there so he can develop properly. 

Lafreniere’s development has been atrocious. He deserves a lot of the blame, but he’s been mostly blocked from PP1 time and until the last two seasons, he’s been blocked from big minutes, too. This is the make or break year for him. He needs the opportunity, and then he needs to cash in.

Vincent Trocheck needs to step up as a leader

Aside from taking the next step as a locker room leader, I don’t have much to say about Trocheck. He seems like a player where we all know who he is, and we just have to hope last season was a down season. Time will tell. 

Should Will Cuylle actually be in the the top six?

I strongly believe putting Will Cuylle in the Rangers top 6 forwards is a poor decision. That’s not because Cuylle can’t handle top six minutes, it’s because he would be far more valuable on the third line. Mike Sullivan may have taken an advantage away from themselves to load up the Rangers top 6 forwards.

I’d much rather see Cuylle anchored to the third line and Gabe Perreault (or a rotation of wingers) filling the last spot in the Rangers top 6 forwards. I have no doubts Cuylle will succeed, but the third line will be worse without him unless someone else steps up.

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