New York Rangers from President's Trophy to Missed Playoffs?

[WarriorofTime]

Not eliminated yet, but if they can't manage to get any points today, the chances of making the postseason look really bad for the Rangers. They entered the day with a 31.5 % chance of making the postseason according to the website MoneyPuck. If they miss out on the postseason, they will be only the 4th team to accomplish this (not so great) turnaround.

Only three times in the history of the Presidents' Trophy has a team missed the playoffs the season after winning the award: the New York Rangers, who won the Trophy in the 1991–92 season and missed the playoffs in 1992–93 (and then rebounded to win both the Presidents' Trophy and Stanley Cup in 1993–94); the Buffalo Sabres, who won the Trophy in the 2006–07 season and missed the playoffs in 2007–08; and the Boston Bruins, who won the Trophy in the 2013–14 season and missed the playoffs in 2014–15 despite having a winning record.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

It's hard to understand how bad the team is if you don't watch them every night. They aren't going to make it, nor should they. A team like Montreal has a much better chance at upsetting a top team than they do, despite an elite goaltender.

And with a couple of those past teams you mentioned, this year isn't a write off or anamoly. The wheels are completely off and it looks like the Rangers are going to in Blackhawks/Sharks territory shortly (but without a promisng young talent to build around of course).

 

[GlitchMarner]

I don't think they're making the playoffs. They're very inconsistent. They put together a good game or two and then play terrible hockey for a stretch.

Culture seems to be a problem. Sure, they relied heavily on special teams and weren't anything great five on five, but there's enough talent on that roster that the team should make the playoffs. They seem to have a country club sort of mentality and should move some players out and perhaps do an extensive managerial overhaul.

 

[acor]

Will the Rangers be first ever team to miss playoffs after winning PT twice (now and 1993)? Or did someone else managed it before?

 

[GlitchMarner]

Will the Rangers be first ever team to miss playoffs after winning PT twice (now and 1993)? Or did someone else managed it before?

They'll be the first.

 

[Czechboy]

So the last two presidents trophy winners both won't make playoffs this year.

 

[Zeeker]

Ugh, I had a thread title ready for when they officially got eliminated: “From Riches to Rags”

 

[Megustaelhockey]

The check still clears even if you don’t try.

 

[ManByng]

Ya the Rangers got whacked pretty good this afternoon, not looking good ! What happened to that team? Ranger fans tell me !!

 

[chethejet]

They may be playing to not give up the 1st in 2026.

 

[Giant Panda]

Ya the Rangers got whacked pretty good this afternoon, not looking good ! What happened to that team? Ranger fans tell me !!

From a non NYR fan who tunes in sometimes:

They traded their heart players away and kept a lot of the skill players. A lot of their lethality got old and lost their ability to be difference makers, Krieder is a depth player now.

Top to bottom, their roster is one trying to keep up, not one that dominates.

Their star, Panarin, can't do it myself. He's either taken a step back or is only able to play at 80-90%. A lot of that might be due to a lack of support, he can't seem to overcome the targetted pressure.

Their centre depth lacks a difference maker. It's solid but they don't have the guy who does it all. So they run solid but can't carry the team to the next step.

They don't have depth. Othmann is playing top line right now, he has 2 pts in his 21 NHL games. Not many better options on that line though. They dont have a lot of options.

Fox isn't what everyone thought he was. It might be biased because of his injury this year but he doesn't seem to have the same ability as Hughes and Makar have to get himself out of trouble. They don't seem to lean on him defensively, it seems like they have more faith in Borgen to take the defensive load than Fox. They lack a cornerstone dman, they have an offensive guy who can carry the team but he's not a stabilizing presence the way every playoff team seems to have.

Overall, they aren't dominating and don't seem to have the heart to keep fighting.

They got the losing stink on them.

 

[DolansKazoo]

I'll be playing Taps at the final home game. Also, don't forget to catch JD and the Sure Shots playing at Mustang Harry's!!!

 

[Fatass]

The big advantage the Rangers used to have of being the club a lot of top UFA’s wanted to play for seems to have gone. Not too sure if the Rangers can buy their way out of this situation on July 1 anymore.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

They may be playing to not give up the 1st in 2026.

Their centre depth lacks a difference maker. It's solid but they don't have the guy who does it all. So they run solid but can't carry the team to the next step.

Big understatement. The play of Zibanejad is so far below what's even remotely acceptable or possible for a 1st line center on a team that people thought had cup aspirations. Trochek not far behind as a 2C. Center ice play has killed the team.

 

[WarriorofTime]

If I were them, I'd transfer pick, 10, 11, 12 or 13 over this year.

 

[Homelander]

I've said it for years. Chris Drury is a terrorist.

 

[MVP of West Hollywd]

Night night, Montreal schedule looks decent and if they collapsed, Rangers haven't proven they want it.

 

[Homelander]

This team is fractured. If it's pick 10-14, you absolutely transfer it to Pittsburgh, because you could be picking in the top-5 next year. Drury has f***ed up this team so royally.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

If I were them, I'd transfer pick, 10, 11, 12 or 13 over this year.

It's probably what will end up happening.

 

[mm11]

Man, thought this was the fastest rebuild ever. Gifted back to back lottery wins as well. There is time this year to flip that switch though.

 

[Fatass]

If I were them, I'd transfer pick, 10, 11, 12 or 13 over this year.

Isn’t this draft supposed to be pretty weak, while next years is a lot stronger? Maybe they should give the Pens this years pick even if it’s 6-10?

 

[Fatass]

Man, thought this was the fastest rebuild ever. Gifted back to back lottery wins as well. There is time this year to flip that switch though.

How many high picks did their previous GM miss on? The list is quite long if I remember correctly.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Isn’t this draft supposed to be pretty weak, while next years is a lot stronger? Maybe they should give the Pens this years pick even if it’s 6-10?

Won’t realistically dip below like 9th or 10th absent a lotto win

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

If Zibanejad and Kreider have hit the cliff, they're in trouble. Being the New York Rangers will help as players have shown that they want to play for the organization regardless of outlook, but it's no guarantee for those at that level.

 

[Fatass]

Won’t realistically dip below like 9th or 10th absent a lotto win

I wonder if the current GM believes he can make the changes needed over the summer so his club can have a bounce back year and that pick is in the 20’s in 2026? He might just select this season and give up his unprotected first in 2026 because he thinks his club will be a lot better next year.