To round out our 2024-25 most important New York Rangers, at last, we have the top-5!
In our most recent story, both coach Peter Laviolette (10) and general manager Chris Drury (6) cracked the top-10, the only two staff members on the top-25 list. Between them landed captain Jacob Trouba (9) and forwards Vincent Trocheck (8) and Alexis Lafreniere (7).
The entire top-25 rankings will be displayed at the end of the article. Now, let’s unveil the top-5.
No. 1-5 most important 2024-25 New York Rangers
5. Chris Kreider (forward)
The past three seasons have been the most productive in Chris Kreider’s 12-year run with the Rangers. He is coming off a 75-point campaign, just two shy of his NHL career best, and scored 39 goals (18 on the power play) last season. He also had the epic third-period hat trick to help the Rangers bounce the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 6 of their second-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Undoubtedly one of the best Rangers of all time with 304 goals, Kreider will try to keep it rolling in 2024-25, likely riding shotgun again on a line with center and BFF Mika Zibanejad. At 33 years old, Kreider has shown no signs of slowing down, plus he’s still a force on the power-play and penalty-killing units. He remains an integral part of New York’s core.
If Laviolette can find someone that finally fills the hole on right wing, Kreider could have an even better season than his career-high 77 points. No one seems to be more passionate about this team winning than Kreider does, and he should have yet another huge impact this season. He opens up our top-5 at No. 5.
4. Mika Zibanejad (center)
Despite an “off” year, Zibanejad is still a key piece in the Rangers core. As the No. 1 center, he had a large dip in points (72) from just two seasons ago (91). However, Zibanejad is much more than a point scorer. He is still one of the best defensive forwards in the League, and does an outstanding job both on the power play and penalty kill.
A bounce-back season from Zibanejad would be great for the Rangers. And, similar to Kreider, giving him a viable right wing could help boost Zibanejad’s production. It was evident in the Eastern Conference Final that the Florida Panthers doubled up on him and Kreider, and the right wing was not nearly as much of a threat. We all know what Zibanejad is capable of, and we expect a big season from him. He lands at No. 4.
3. Artemi Panarin (forward)
What isn’t there to say about the Breadman? As the highest-ranking forward on this list, Artemi Panarin has shown that he can singlehandedly determine the outcome of hockey games and is one of the most-exciting and productive players in the sport. Last season was an absolute master class from Panarin, when he set NHL career-highs in goals (49) and points (120).
If Panarin can have another monster season for New York, there is no reason why they shouldn’t find themselves near the top of the standings once again. The only potential flaw in Panarin’s game comes in the playoffs, when he has struggled in the past. Despite this, Panarin is undoubtedly New York’s best forward, and should put up great numbers once again. He earns spot No. 3.
2. Adam Fox (defenseman)
Adam Fox has been the Rangers best defenseman since he first started out in 2019-20. Since then, he has been a mainstay on the top pairing along with Ryan Lindgren, captured the Norris Trophy in 2020-21, and scored 70+ points each of the past three seasons. Somehow, NHL Network ranked Fox only No. 8 on their list of Top-20 NHL defensemen this year.
Fox is another game-changer who has become one of the most important pieces of New York’s core. Despite missing 10 games with a knee injury last season, Fox still registered an NHL career high with 17 goals and totaled 73 points in 72 games, just one shy of his career best.
A fully healthy Fox will be great to have for the Rangers. Expected to resume scoring at his point-per-game pace, or higher, Fox should be one of the League’s top defensemen once again. At 26, he will continue to quarterback the first power-play unit, and will have a major impact on the success of the Rangers this season. He finds himself at No. 2 on our ranking.
1. Igor Shesterkin (goalie)
Of course, it had to be Igor Shesterkin as our most important Ranger for the 2024-25 season. The former Vezina Trophy-winner got off to a rough start last season, but eventually returned to top form for the Rangers. He was easily their best player in the playoffs, and did everything he could to try and reach the Stanley Cup Final. He is coming off a 36-17-2 season when he was just one win shy of his career-best. Tack on a .913 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against average, and you have one of the best goalies in the NHL, if not the best, even in a somewhat roller-coaster season
But as the postseason showed, Shesterkin is at his best when the games matter most. Now, if he approaches the level he played at in 2021-22, when he won the Vezina with a .935 save percentage and a 2.07 GAA, the Rangers could be a juggernaut during this upcoming regular season.
With just 10 months left on his contract, the Rangers need to get an extension done, and soon. Shesterkin has shown time and time again that he can steal a game for the Rangers, and, at times, even conceal a game in which the team played poorly in front of him. He was the unanimous No. 1 pick by the Forever Blueshirts staff, and deservedly so.
Here are the final rankings:
25. Brett Berard
24. Adam Sykora
23. Sam Rosen
22. Kaapo Kakko
21. Ryan Lindgren
20. Matt Rempe
19. Jonathan Quick
18. Will Cuylle
17. Reilly Smith
16. Zac Jones
15. Brennan Othmann
14. Braden Schneider
13. Filip Chytil
12. Gabe Perreault
11. K’Andre Miller
10. Peter Laviolette
9. Jacob Trouba
8. Vincent Trocheck
7. Alexis Lafreniere
6. Chris Drury
5. Chris Kreider
4. Mika Zibanejad
3. Artemi Panarin
2. Adam Fox
1. Igor Shesterkin
