The New York Rangers arrived at the first quarter mark of the 2024-25 NHL season with a 12-8-1 record through 21 games. After racing to a 5-0-1 start, they are 7-8-0 since, and hit the 21-game mark on a four-game losing streak.
Trade rumors are already in full swing with the Rangers playing a mediocre brand of hockey for well over a month. Though they’ve underperformed and underwhelmed, the Rangers are still in the thick of the playoff race in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference. And there are 61 games remaining on the schedule before the Stanley Cup Playoffs arrive.
Coach Peter Laviolette receives a C+ grade for the first quarter. He stuck with the tried and true for a long stretch after winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season, but has juggled line combinations and toyed with the roster as their funk’s continued.
General manager Chris Drury received a C-. He didn’t address the Rangers’ biggest needs in the offseason after they were exposed in an Eastern Conference Final loss in six games to the Florida Panthers — though salary-cap restraints did hinder him. Also, the timing and manner in which his interest to shake things up with a trade went public is not a positive tactic.
Let’s grade the players.
Will Cuylle – Grade: A
The most pleasant surprise, so far, is the growth in Will Cuylle’s game. The 22-year-old has nine goals and 18 points, each tied for second on the team, and his 90 hits are tied for fourth in the NHL. On a team full of underperforming players, Cuylle stands out for playing above expectations.
Jonathan Quick – Grade: A
Jonathan Quick continues to drink from the Fountain of Youth. The 38-year-old won his first four decisions, and allowed four goals in those games, including a pair of shutouts. He was abandoned by his teammates in his most recent start, a 6-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
Artemi Panarin – Grade: A-
His scoring pace has slowed, but Artemi Panarin’s still averaging 1.24 points per game. He leads the Rangers with 12 goals and 26 points, and is the one star forward playing to expectations.
Igor Shesterkin – Grade A-
His goals-against average has risen to 2.98, not a pretty number, but Igor Shesterkin’s save percentage is a solid .911. That’s a testament to how terrific he’s been with little help from his teammates. Who knows how many wins he and Quick have stolen in the first quarter of the season for the Rangers.
Adam Fox – Grade: A-
Adam Fox leads the Rangers with 18 assists, but has yet to score a goal. Still, he’s tied for eighth among NHL defensemen in scoring. The Rangers are best with him on the ice, vastly outperforming all of their defensemen with an xGF of 58.09 percent and ahead 200-135 in scoring chances.
Alexis Lafreniere – Grade: B+
Alexis Lafreniere landed a big-time contract extension and continued to show he’s worth the investment with eight goals and 16 points, on pace to surpass his NHL career highs of 28 goals and 57 points last season. He’s got to sure up his all-around the game, though, since he’s a minus-8 through 21 games.
Filip Chytil – Grade: B+
The Rangers third line centered by Filip Chytil is among the best two-way lines in the NHL. Though, he’s missed six straight games with an upper-body injury — fortunately not another concussion — Chytil has nine points (four goals, five assists) and is plus-11 in 15 games. He has a team-best xGF of 63.35 percent and the Rangers outscore opponents 12-2 with him on the ice 5v5. They could use him back in the lineup ASAP.
Kaapo Kakko – Grade: B
Kaapo Kakko has been a big part of that third-line success with 12 points (three goals, 12 assists) and a plus-13 in 21 games. The Rangers outscore opponents 17-4 at 5v5 with him on the ice. He does need to finish more consistently and score more goals. But overall he’s played excellent two-way hockey.
Braden Schneider – Grade B
Braden Schneider has done everything the Rangers have asked, and continued to perform at a high level. The 23-year-old defenseman’s played second-pair, third pair, on his natural right side, and on his off-side. He’s physical, smart and has a bright future.
Sam Carrick – Grade: B-
The fourth line centered by Sam Carrick has been steady throughout the first quarter of the season. Carrick has been solid 5v5 (56.19 percent xGF) and as a penalty killer. He’s also won 58 percent of his face-offs.
Zac Jones – Grade: B-
Zac Jones was in and out of the lineup the first month or so, but has locked down a spot on the third defense pair with strong two-way play, that includes seven points (one goals, six assists) in 15 games. It does feel like the Rangers will want to upgrade here at some point during the season, because Jones’ lack of size and physicality are concerns in the defensive zone.
Jimmy Vesey – Grade: B-
Jimmy Vesey missed the first 10 games with a lower-body injury, and then slid right back into being a consistent performer in the bottom six, mainly on the fourth line. He’s dependable, smart and driven, trusted defensively and on the penalty kill.
Adam Edstrom – Grade: C+
Adam Edstrom closed out the first quarter with a pretty goal against the Carolina Hurricanes, his second of the season. The 6-foot-6 forward beat out Matt Rempe for a fourth-line spot in training camp and has played all 21 games, though is averaging just 8:47 TOI. He’s seen some third-line duty because of injuries in the lineup recently. He doesn’t hurt the Rangers out there.
Vincent Trocheck – Grade: C
A true heart-and-soul player who plays in every important game situation for the Rangers, Vincent Trocheck has struggled to begin the season. His offensive production is down (10 points; four goals, six assists) and he has an underwhelming xGF of 47.06 percent. He just seems off, though there’s plenty of time to regain top form. His 60 percent face-off winning rate never should be overlooked, though.
Reilly Smith – Grade: C
Reilly Smith hasn’t been great nor has he been bad. Hence the C grade. Three goals and 12 points in 21 games is roughly what you’d expect from the 33-year-old, and he provides a quiet, steady leadership, too.
Chris Kreider – Grade: C
Chris Kreider is tied for second on the Rangers with nine goals and three power-plays goals. He’s also got two shorties. But he hasn’t been a difference maker and also looks off, not unlike Trocheck. His xGF is just over 43 percent and he has yet to record an assist this season in 19 games before missing two straight with an upper-body injury.
Jonny Brodzinski – Grade: C
He’s not spectacular, but Jonny Brodzinski fits nicely as the extra forward. He’s played 12 games and has two goals and four points, and provides some speed to the fourth line when he’s in the lineup.
Jacob Trouba – Grade: C-
The numbers don’t look terrible but the eye test isn’t always so pretty with Jacob Trouba. The Rangers have been outscored 21-17 at 5v5 with Toruba on the ice and his xGF isn;t so bad, 49.55 percent. But he’s looked slow and error prone, too. He leads the Rangers with 64 blocked shots and plays a key role on the Rangers’ solid penalty kill.
K’Andre Miller – Grade: C-
So much has been expected of K’Andre Miller, but it feels like he’s been a pretty big disappointment this season after a somewhat down 2023-24 season, too. He’s 24 and looking at a big raise as an RFA next summer, so the Rangers have to make a big decision on him and his future in New York. He’s not producing a lot (one goal, four points) and is minus-3, and played his best as Fox’s partner, less so with Trouba.
Victor Mancini – Grade: C-
Victor Mancini probably should be graded lower because his metrics are very poor through his first 10 NHL games. But the 22-year-old rookie is graded here on a curve. His development is a surprising development and he has the look of someone who will be part of the future in New York.
Mika Zibanejad – Grade: D+
Mika Zibanejad has been atrocious defensively and inconsistent offensively. A major disappointment and a big reason why the Rangers scuffled in the first quarter of the season. The Rangers are outscored 18-10 Zibanejad on the ice and he’s a whopping minus-12 already, worst on the team. His xGF is 43.17 percent. Zibanejad is third on the Rangers with 11 assists and fifth with 15 points.
Ryan Lindgren – Grade: D
Ryan Lindgren missed the first five games with a jaw injury, and hasn’t looked himself since returning. Even without the bubble mask he was wearing, Lindgren looks slow and a step behind more often than not, especially paired with Trouba. The Rangers, though, are even (12-12) in goals scored with Lindgren on the ice 5v5.
Brett Berard – Grade: INC
He’s only played two games, so it’s not fair to grade rookie forward Brett Berard. But so far, so good. An assist in his NHL debut and his first NHL goal in his second outing.
Matt Rempe – Grade: INC
After all the summer hype, Matt Rempe’s played just four games with the Rangers, seeing very limited ice time. He’s currently playing with Hartford in the AHL.
Chad Ruhwedel – Grade: INC
Chad Ruhwedel has played one game — Oct. 19 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 34-year-old is primarily the Rangers 7th defensemen, and he’s also been assigned to the minors twice. When Zac Jones was injured recently, the Rangers called up Mancini to play instead of Ruhwedel, who was already om the roster.
