Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Smell ya later, ya rotten 2025-26 season!
We’re unloading everything tonight (and in the most long-form fashion imaginable) – and then taking a well-deserved lengthy vacation afterwards!
In our final goodbye to the 2025-26 season, we have a ton of things to get into – and three major pieces of business as well – including The 2025-26 New York Rangers Final Report Card, Blueshirts Break-Up Day and of course, our annual 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview and Predictions.
This will be a long one – but you have a while to get through it – so feel free to read all of this at your own leisurely pleasure.
And yes, I could break all of this up into different articles, hence artificially boosting traffic, but by now, then you should know the motto here:
“One click, ten-thousand words, no ads!”
Let’s jump right into it (after a quick plug – of course!) – and let’s first start with the Rangers’ exit interviews from this past Friday – and then get into everything else.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – the season finale – Game 82:
NYR/TBL 4/15 Review: GARAND THEFT AUTO Strikes Again; Rangers Mercifully Conclude Their Crappy Centennial Campaign, Bad Win For The Tankers (And Will Drury Trade The Pick?) – But A Great Win For The BABY BUCK BLUESHIRTS, Mika Named The MVP of This Mess, “WHO STAYS AND WHO GOES” – 2026-27 Edition, Get Dave Maloney A Cough Drop; Propaganda M$GN In Full Effect, What Lies Ahead & Much More
On Friday, April 17th, and the Rangers concluded their disgusting 2025-26 season with their now all-too-familiar “Blueshirts’ Break-Up Day.”
In their last interviews prior to hitting the links – and everyone talked to the media face-to-face – that is – sans Pizza Boy – you know:
There was a lot of bullshit spewed into the air on Friday, so I’m going to share with you what they said in italics and with my reaction in bold.
Furthermore, then I’m going to do my best when trying to present all of this junk in a chronological order – and as posted by the Rangers themselves on their YouTube account..
Let’s try to blow through this as fast as humanly possible – as after all – and I’m sure that you’re just as sickened by this crappy centennial campaign as much as I am!
Before going through everything, then if you want to watch every interview for yourself (and that’s the way to do it, so you can get the complete context of everything), then you can find all of the videos from Friday’s break-up day here: https://www.youtube.com/@nyrangers/videos
Here’s what Silly Sully had to say for himself:
“What I’ll tell you is that I [have] unwavering investment into the Rangers and that will never falter from my standpoint. I have incredible optimism on where we can go, but obviously, we’re disappointed with where we’re at.
“I think we’ll have some opportunities potentially to add some puck-moving ability on our blue line. I think there might be some opportunities to improve our bottom six at the forward position, where players might be able to play certain roles that could allow us to take some of our core players out of situations.”
Sully’s remarks about wanting to stay shouldn’t shock anyone. After all, he’s the highest-paid coach in the league!
Keep in mind here what Sully said about future roster additions – as Cowardly Chris Drury would later reference these remarks.
That said?
And Sully thinks a defenseman addition and more bottom-sixers is the way to go?
Oh boy.
Here’s Captain Culture, J.T. Miller:
“There’s definitely moments that were challenging for me [as captain], like it was hard. I put a lot of weight on my own shoulders, and I think in moments, it might have been a little too taxing for me. But I’ve learned a lot about it so far.
“I can take a lot away from this. I need to get away from it. It was a lot. It was heavy for me this year. There was moments where it’s overwhelming.
“I just need to make sure I learn from my mistakes I did make.”
J.T. Miller is asked about how close the Rangers are to being a playoff contender:
“There’s still moving parts and the summer…it’s out of my line of work. That’s our goal, that’s where we want to be.” pic.twitter.com/t0fJmdLBXj
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
At least he was 100% healthy and focused on the Olympics.
And had he not won a gold medal?
Then I’d be much more severe about his decision.
That said?
He admitted he made a bunch of mistakes – but that doesn’t help the situation either.
Here’s Jonny Brodzinski:
“I’ll leave that to my agent [when asked about returning next year]. I love this organization. I love my teammates here. The coaches have been great.”
Jonny Brodzinski was asked if he’s had any discussion with the Rangers’ front office about a contract extension:
“Nothing as of yet. I’ll leave that to my agent.” pic.twitter.com/Dwzq81cjlg
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
Again, I hope Jonny Broadway does return – and it’s not like it will cost a lot in order to make it happen either.
While it would be dumb for him to say it, but I don’t think that Brodzinski is even entertaining a thought of going elsewhere, and especially not as a family man who now maintains a residence in the area.
Here’s Gabe Perreault, who was not only happy about how his rookie year went, but who also said that he rebuked a request to join the USA team at this year’s IIHF World Championships tournament:
“I think this is a big summer for me, and I want to spend more time in the gym and be able to put some more strength on.”
“I think I learned a lot, got a lot of experience. I think I definitely grew a lot. It was a big year for me, for sure.”
Gabe Perreault talks about his season: pic.twitter.com/FKFUkMciRJ
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
Sounds good to me and I’m glad that he’s putting the Rangers first instead of focusing on some meaningless tournament, even more meaningless with the Olympics having been contested just two months ago.
Here’s Trocheck, who gave the most frightening interview of them all:
“I thought I was just having back spasms [on his injury issues at the start of the season] and then I played the first game. Got a little bit worse. Played in Buffalo. I got a cross check right in that area, and whatever fluid was in there it’s like bubbles, and I guess the bubble burst and it spread. So then it just got a lot worse. I had a lot of fluid around my lung, so I had to have surgery to get the fluid removed.
“It was very scary. I thought I was dying.”
As far as being moved over the summer following Drury’s deadline drama, the alternate captain remarked with the following:
“I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Vincent Trocheck says he had viral bacteria in his lungs early in the season and was in the hospital for about a week:
“It was very scary. I thought I was dying.” pic.twitter.com/hz7Y6GOu1V
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. We’ll see.”
Vincent Trocheck talks about his Rangers future heading into the offseason: pic.twitter.com/szibuACwJ9
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
Wow, I never knew how serious Trocheck’s injuries were.
I’m glad to see him back – and the fact that he was able to then go on and win a gold medal is even more impressive.
And I’ll be even gladder should he back with this team next season too.
Zibanejad, who if you notice, is always asked about his iron-clad NMC, said on Friday, “I want to be here.”
Mika added:
“I mean, obviously, it’s a better feeling, but I think I proved to not myself, but to maybe some other people who had a thing or two to say about me last year, to show what I can do and what I’m still capable of doing. I still gotta bring it again next year.”
“I want to be here.”
– Mika Zibanejad pic.twitter.com/4rTjTr3Ppj
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
It would’ve been nice if he ever brought it in the playoffs.
Here’s Adam Fox on teaming with Gavrikov and with how the season went in general:
“I thought it was really good [on his new tandem with #44]. I think he’s the perfect complement for me. As you guys know, I played with Lindy my whole career in the NHL. Vlad has got a lot of similar tendencies. Obviously, he might jump in the offense a little more, and stuff like that. I think it’s nice for me. I’m happy to see him do that. You score 14 goals, you’re contributing a fair bit offensively. Defensively, he’s just steady. I think that’s the biggest thing. I think I play my best when I could read off someone and know where they’re going to be and they’re predictable. He provided that for me in a lot of ways. I was really happy with how we played and kind of how quickly we formed to get there.”
“It sucks when you’re not giving them a product to be proud of”
Adam Fox was asked about navigating the Rangers’ relationship with the fans given their disappointing season: pic.twitter.com/uZiHKzYzSr
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
As I’ll make note of in the report card segment, then Fox, and as Perreault said in his interview, needs to bulk up a bit, just so he can absorb hits and not run the risk of being injured so much.
Lafreniere kind of talked a big game on Friday and alluded to the fact that “he stepped up.”
Not one word of who was stepping down and away from the challenge during the first half of the season though.
“You trade some guys and other people have to step up. That’s how it is.”
Alexis Lafrenière talks about his increased responsibility after the Rangers’ trades: pic.twitter.com/Ey7KAuaTt1
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
Again – and this doesn’t just solely apply to him either – do it when it matters.
CZAR IGOR, plagued by injuries this year, said, “I can play way better for sure.”
On all of the new faces, CZAR IGOR remarked:
“We love to play with them”
Igor Shesterkin talks about the boost the Rangers got from their young players near the end of the season: pic.twitter.com/up9ZIxI5Lc
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
Igor Shesterkin says that Dylan Garand has a “bright future” pic.twitter.com/0yiJ9CLw3w
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
CZAR IGOR is the player that I have the least amount of concern about.
Dylan Garand, who after Game 82, said that he never wants to go back to the AHL ever again, reiterated such remarks:
“I’m hungry to be here and it’s an exciting opportunity moving forward.”
Dylan Garand talks about wanting to be with the Rangers and the opportunity ahead of him moving forward: pic.twitter.com/OBYXgUXIzp
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
All the best moving forward to him.
Matt Rempe, who Sullivan and Drury absolutely ruined this year by rushing him back, talked about his injury, his rehab process and what’s next:
“It’s [his broken thumb] coming along a lot better than it was at first. After the second surgery, it’s come along really well. I think that it’s in a good spot now. A lot of work to be done this summer, but now I’m confident I’ll be able to play my game.
“It was kind of my first ever surgery. I think, maybe, learning to be more honest about how it’s feeling per se. And that’s a good lesson because I feel like I’m the type of guy who just wants to go. If I can play, I can play type of thing. I think that needed more talking.”
“I’m just going to come back with a vengeance”
Matt Rempe talks about how frustrating his season was after missing so many games: pic.twitter.com/YlfWIcQjlV
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
Rempe is aware of all the new and young blood in town. He needs to have a summer for the ages or risk starting next year in Hartford.
Here’s Sam Carrick 2.0, Tye Kartye:
“The guys were great and they made it real easy for me”
Tye Kartye talks about his transition to the Rangers: pic.twitter.com/qEpJL7Dso0
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
I look forward to seeing what Kartye does next season.
Here’s Braden Schneider, who did talk about his future in New York:
“It’s something [staying here] that is out of my control. I love being a Ranger. I’m very proud to be a Ranger, and it feels like home here. I know I’ll be doing whatever I can to be the best player I can be, and I hope it’s here. Whatever happens is going to happen. I’m proud to be a Ranger, so that’s where I’ll leave that. We’ll see what happens.”
“It’s disappointing and I think we didn’t quite meet the expectations we were hoping to meet”
Braden Schneider talks about the Rangers going into the summer with a “chip on our shoulder” pic.twitter.com/9X5t9jkaij
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
More on Schneider’s future in the report card segment.
Here’s Drew Fortescue, who hopes to make the main roster out of camp next season:
“Playing at MSG in the state I grew up in, 30 minutes from my house, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Drew Fortescue talks about what will stay with him the most from this season: pic.twitter.com/0JoKO7BHTW
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 17, 2026
And here’s Adam Edstrom, who revealed what his injury was – but who never said a cross word about Sullivan for benching him either:
“I fractured my ankle and played through it for six weeks. Eventually, me and the doctors made a decision together that was best for me and the longevity of my career. So I ended up having surgery on that in December.”
Similar to Rempe and Edstrom needs a big summer – or risk not being with the main roster after camp.
As always, then Cowardly Chris Drury talked to a select few of beat reporters exclusively through ZOOM.
You know what I always say here – and I’ve been saying it for nearly five-years too:
Despite M$G owning several cable networks, a website, 79867867896796 social media mediums, etc – and Drury will never address the fan base, much less the moronic media members, face-to-face.
Pure cowardice.
What a yellow back.
And this is just a bad look when you’re trying to sell season subs for next year too.
There’s just no personal interaction – but since this is the league’s biggest market – and Drury doesn’t have to foster a relationship as is the case with other GMs in smaller markets.
The following impersonal quotes come from Wince Mercogliano, Mollie “Ms. Giggles” Walker, Colin Stephenson and Remy Mastey:
On what the summer may look like:
“I thought those were two good comments by him [Sullivan] and two specific areas [defenseman and bottom six].”
What a deep and inside perspective! Thanks Pizza Man!
On the top six and recent emergence of Chmelar and Sykora:
“Those are certainly going to be great candidates and options, the kids you mentioned, moving forward as bottom-six options.
“As far scoring and looking at the top six, I do think we have a lot of really good players in the top six. Some got a little more opportunity down the stretch and produced at a good rate, but it’s always something we’re looking at, exploring as to what we can do to be better.”
Nothing but hollow words and lip service.
On becoming a contender, ZOOM ZOOM said:
“As I said before, I’m not going to get into timelines. I know I said it before and feel the same way now, I think we have a lot of good players. We have a lot of talented players.
“As we said in the letter, certainly wasn’t good enough to that point and we’re trying to retool and find some different ways to have success. I do like a lot of our pieces. I’m excited to begin the offseason and take a deeper look at it and try and figure out how to be better.”
Why not put a timeline on it?
That’s right, because if he did, then he’d be signing his own death warrant to Dolan.
The second-half of this answer was pretty much a carbon copy response to the question that preceded it.
He just doesn’t give you anything – and again – for a guy who wrote a letter to the fan base – then he’s very guarded.
Drury didn’t guarantee Garand a roster spot next season either. As far as who replaces Quick, Drury said:
“We’re certainly looking at him [Garand], among other options, as to see who could be backup.”
As friend of the site Linda H. said, Drury is probably looking at 30-year-old goalies in Boston.
As far as Trocheck and trades go, Drury responded with this junk:
“Well, I think if you look at it, they’re kind of two different cycles in the season [trade deadline v. summer], right?
“The trade deadline, there’s limited buyers, there’s limited cap space. It’s not the offseason. The rosters aren’t being reshuffled or retooled across the league.
“Going into the offseason, as I said, we’re going to review and take a look at everything within the roster, within the organization. We’re always going to try to make the best moves we can for the short-term and long-term health of the organization.”
The best move, both short-term and long-term for the organization, would be a Drury resignation letter.
On the draft lottery, where he’s guaranteed to land a top-five pick, Drury, and when also asked about the team’s failures in drafting, remarked:
“It’s hard to say. I’m not considering talk about past draft picks that I was not in charge of. There’s factors that go into every single player that makes it or doesn’t make it.
“I can tell you, we’re extremely prepared and certainly glad we gave up the pick we did last year so we have the pick this year. We’re excited it’s in the top five. We’ll see May 5 as to where it is.
“I have a lot of faith in [director of amateur scouting] John Lilley and his amateur staff. They worked tirelessly all over the world to get the list in order and make sure we’re making good picks — not only with that pick, but every other pick we have this coming year.”
Let’s just hope they land the first-overall pick – that way – and Drury’s top pick can’t be criticized as it would be the census first-overall!
To close on Drury, then he didn’t say anything that we didn’t already know, and he pretty much gave word-salad responses to every question.
You know, the usual.
That wraps up our first segment, so let’s move onto the 2025-26 New York Rangers Final Report Card.
Before doling out the grades, then let me remind you of the usual criteria that I use whenever I do these report cards:
— Grades are given out based on production, playing to their role on the team and to the contract of a player.
For example, I expect less from a fourth line and six-figure salaried player, such as a Tye Kartye or Jonny Brodzinski.
On the other hand, then I expect a lot out of a first line player and/or a high-priced player like an Adam Fox or Mika Zibanejad.
After all, we are playing in a salary-cap world, where teams are constantly giving up quality players, even players they drafted, in order to compete.
— To ignore the salary-cap hit of a player would be foolish, which is why they are considered and factored into these grades.
Keep in mind, to me, a player’s salary-cap hit is a stat that belongs on the back of a hockey card.
When it comes to building NHL rosters, general managers look at cap hits first. They aren’t worried about Corsi’s or whatever other nerd stat that Sieve Vagistat has pulled out of his five-hole this week.
In addition, and more times than not during this present era, then you don’t see as many pure “hockey trades” when compared to bygone eras. Instead, you see more “salary-cap dump trades” than anything else. (To paraphrase the recently deceased Larry Brooks, then “I. Miss. Chris.”)
— Players who have played less than eight games with the team, players who have been traded, players who have been injured, and players who were sent down to Hartford, are all listed in the “Incomplete” section.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly above all else – these grades are just my opinions only.
In other words – don’t get bent out of shape over them!
This is just my way of assessing the current roster at this moment in the season.
And if any grade is truly egregious, then I’m sure that you will let me know!
Last but not least, the following:
— These grades take into account every game played thus far this season – and where it was tough to rate the players who joined the team late – but I did want to include all of them.
— Just to compare, I have listed both my quarter-pole and Mid-Season Report card grades with every player applicable.
— To read the full explanations of my quarter-pole report card grades, then make sure to check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/qp25/
To read the full explanations of my Mid-Season Report Card grades, then make sure to check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/ms26/
At this time, here are my grades, and my explanations of them, in our annual 2025-26 New York Rangers Final Report Card.
FORWARDS
JONNY BRODZINSKI
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: INC
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: B+
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: B+
Ironically, Brodzinski is now one of the most longest-tenured Rangers around, following a successful stint as the captain of the Hartford Wolf Pack.
What I say about JONNY BROADWAY every time in this space still applies here – he’s a great 13th forward for the team – and a Swiss Army Knife type too.
At only $787,500 per-year, then Brodzinski provided plenty of value for the team – and especially with his additional role as mentor for the younger players.
Better than that?
Then it feels like Brodzinski is equally as elated when one of his younger teammates shine as he is whenever he does something positive on the ice.
While his six goals and ten assists in 55 games played this season don’t really jump out at you; but it’s never been about black-and-white stats for him anyway.
He’s a role model Ranger – and as noted plenty of times before – even earlier above during the break-up day bit – then I hope that he returns next year.
At the very least, then he is a reliable insurance policy in the event that someone gets injured.
JAROSLAV CHMELAR
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: A-
Through the team’s first 41 games and Chmelar had zero points in his six appearances.
In the 22 games that followed out of his total of 28 games played and the Czech finished with four goals and two assists – while also showing off one hell of a nifty backhander.
As noted in this space before, then out of every recent and new BLUESHIRT BUCK, and I think that it’s Chmelar that needs to have a guaranteed bottom-six roster spot come camp in September.
The 22-year-old showed off a nice mean streak and he didn’t shy away from physicality either – as his 53 hits in limited games and ice time would suggest.
And as we all know by now – and he displayed a budding bromance, another BFF duo in town, with another Hartford recall, the Slovakian Sykora.
Chmelar’s ceiling may be as a “glue guy” – but I wouldn’t be so fast to “stick” him with that label just yet.
While everyone will first talk about Gabe Perreault, and rightfully so – but I think that Chmelar is a textbook definition of a player that compromises a positive “roster stew” (long-time blog callback)!
WILL CUYLLE
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: B+
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: B-
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: B
Cuylle, who just completed his age 23-season while making $3.9M per-year, battled injuries early.
But once returned and I don’t think that we ever fully answered the question of “can Cullye become a top-sixer for the Rangers?”
By the end of the campaign, Cuylle remained on the team’s third line – and on the PP2 unit too.
Cuylle, who played in all 82 games, had the most hits on the team with 302 of them – a far lead over second-place Trocheck (193 in 67 games played).
Due to trades, injuries and everything else that plagued the Rangers this season, then Cuylle’s 20 goals was good for third-best on the team – but his -12 rating was fourth-worst overall.
I still think what I said all year best applies to #50 – we haven’t entered his prime years – and the best is yet to come for him.
Whether he can emerge as a leader or not remains to be seen.
TYE KARTYE
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: A
When the Rangers traded away Sam Carrick to Buffalo, then nobody knew that Tye Kartye would replace the role that Carrick left behind.
In the team’s final 24 games of the season, #24, Kartye, finished with five goals, nine assists, seventeen blocked shots and a whopping seventy-five hits.
Had Kartye been here all season – then he would’ve given Cuylle a run for his money.
Fans of the Blueshirts have always loved their blue collar players – and Kartye is the latest example.
It will be interesting to see what he does next year – and especially with the assumption that he’ll have better (and healthier) teammates to work with.
Another thing to consider?
He’ll need a new contract at the end of the 2026-27 campaign – an extra incentive to exceed expectations for a player on an expiring deal.
NOAH LABA
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: A
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: A+
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: A
Laba, the only Rangers’ rookie to win a roster spot in camp and then retain it throughout the entire season, fared well in his first year in the big-time.
In fact, he was one of the rare bright spots on a bad team.
A few injuries cost him a full 82-game season, but he did manage a respectable 9 goals and 15 assists in 74 games played.
He is also a rare Ranger to finish with a positive plus/minus rating (+2), while also picking up a sixth-best 110 hits.
The 22-year-old, in league full of men, also won 50.8% of all of his draws – and where long-time Ranger fans can remember a time where no Blueshirts’ center finished above the 50% mark.
Perhaps most impressive about the new #42 in town is the fact that he was consistent all-year.
There was never a time where he looked lost or out of place.
Quite the opposite – as he looked like a natural.
With many veteran centers on the roster, then his role for now is as the Rangers’ third-line middle man – but that’s not a bad place for him to be either at this stage of the game.
At the very least, he’s far exceeded expectations for a player that was a fourth-round draft pick – and where his rookie season was far better in comparison to some recent Ranger rookies – including Lias Andersson, Vitali Kravtsov, Kaapo Kakko, Brennan Othmann and yes, even Alexis Lafreniere.
ALEXIS LAFRENIERE
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: D
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: D-
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: C+
Lafreniere, through six NHL seasons, remains as polarizing as ever.
We all know the deal on #13 – sometimes he looks like he can’t be stopped – but most times and he looks like the biggest bust among every first-overall pick in NHL history.
At the half-way mark of the season, Lafreniere already had two different ten-game goal droughts.
Through the first 41 games, Lafreniere, always streaky, had 8 goals and 12 assists.
Not good for a player making $7.1M a season.
Then the Olympic break happened.
Whether it was the Panarin trade (which opened up more playing time), playing in meaningless games, collecting “A-Rod” points or what; but either way, then the back-half of the season is when Lafreniere shone the most – a callback to his best year, the 2023-24 campaign.
Lafreniere finished the season with totals of 24 goals and 57 points – second-best to only Mika Zibanejad who led both scoring categories.
For a player who was -7 through 41 games played, then Lafreniere remained as -7 in the next 41 games played (net gain of zero – which isn’t a bad thing either).
Next season, providing no trade is made over the summer, will mark Year #7 for Lafreniere in New York – and where he’ll have to answer this question should he remain:
“Was the back-half of the 2025-26 just a fluke – or can he really (and finally) take that big leap that we’ve long awaited for?”
Despite everything, and I’m not so sure if he can play at a high level on a consistent basis.
We’ll see – and I hope to be proven wrong too!
As far as the low grade goes?
Then consider his salary – and you can’t forget about the first-half of the season either.
J.T. MILLER
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: C-
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: D+
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: D
As Miller even admitted to – then this season, his first as Rangers’ captain, was a failure.
Granted, while Miller battled injuries all-season (he played in 68 games, while missing 14) – but he was healthy for the Olympics – and where he’ll always have that gold medal to salvage this lost Rangers’ centennial campaign.
A former 100 point player just two years ago, Miller finished this season with 53-points (17 goals and 36 assists).
While his 61.5% success rate at the dots is one of the best in the league; then his -30 rating, worst on the Rangers this season, is also one of the worst in the NHL too.
I can understand why Miller put Team USA over the Blueshirts this year – but he must also understand why some fans today are considering him as the worst captain in franchise history.
(Me? Then I don’t agree – because in my opinion – Chris Drury was the worst captain in Rangers’ history!)
Miller, a very physical player, turns 33-years-old next season.
While we have seen many players flourish in their later years; then I’m not so sure if Miller can be one of these guys.
Instead, and he has “ON BRAND BLUESHIRTS” written all over him – traded away before he hit his prime – then traded back for once his peak years were over.
Also hurting Miller’s image and reputation was the fact that he displayed bad body language and had poor post-game interviews during and after many losses this season – so bad – that even Dave Maloney, a former captain himself, brought this topic up on-air.
Henrik Lundqvist, a franchise icon, also echoed Maloney’s opinions on M$GN airwaves.
If Miller isn’t careful, then he’ll soon be accused of having the worst contract in the league – a distinction that no proud player wants.
Next season has to be an ultimate comeback for the captain – or else it will be Vancouver 2.0 for him.
GABE PERREAULT
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: INC
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: A
Through the team’s first 41 games played and Perreault played in seven of them, and as a result, the Rangers were 6-1 in those septet of matches.
In those same seven games Perreault scored once, while also adding three assists to his ledger.
Perreault, who had to take the return bus to Hartford a few times this season, never went back to the Pack after the Olympic break.
In a total of 49 games played this season, then #94, who hopes to do what that 1994 team once did, not only picked up his first career hat trick, but also scored 12 goals and finished with a sum of 27 points.
While Zibanejad was able to turn it on a bit before he was tasked to have Perreault as one of his flanks; but once Perreault joined the Rangers’ first line – then that’s when Lafreniere turned it on too – Panarin be damned.
Granted, it’s not fair to him when attaching and affixing the label of “Savior” on Perreault – but it’s also hard not to be excited about what lies ahead for him.
Similar to others, and Perreault will be due for a new contract at the end of next season – a bonus incentive for him when looking to make a name for himself in this league.
TAYLOR RADDYSH
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: B-
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: C+
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: C+
We can group Raddysh, and the next player on this report card, Sheary, together, so let’s do so at this time.
CONOR SHEARY
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: C+
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: C
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: C+
For both Raddysh and Sheary, well-respected and likeable veterans – and they just never belonged in New York this season – and especially not after Drury waved the white flag with his “Letter 2.0.”
Why Raddysh and the golden nephew-in-law were taking ice time away from possible future long-term Blueshirts is beyond me.
How both players remained with the club past the trade deadline is even nuttier.
As it would be the case with other cellar-dweller franchises, such as Vancouver, Chicago and Calgary – then it just made no sense for this duo to be in New York – and especially when they could have been helping out a Cup contender in a depth-role position.
Truth be told – then neither player was bad – and both had their positive moments too.
Raddysh even scored a hat trick this season, while Sheary collected six goals once returning from the club’s LTIR.
But they just didn’t belong here – and they shouldn’t be brought next year either – and even if we all assume that Drury will sign Sheary to a seven-year max deal over the summer!
ADAM SYKORA
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: A-
Sykora, who only played in 11 games at the end of the season, finished with four points (three goals, one assist).
As opposed to other young players, such as Crybaby Brennan Othmann; then Sykora, 21-years-old, patiently bid his time and paid his dues in the AHL until making his NHL debut with the Rangers this season.
What’s most excitable about Sykora is his energy, his passion and his love for the game.
While such traits will fade over time; but in the now – and he’s been a pleasant surprise for a franchise who needs it.
Of all grades listed here, then this one may be the toughest to argue about – as we only had a short sample size from Sykora – but where we all would like to see MORA of it next season.
VINCENT TROCHECK
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: INC
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: B-
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: B-
While not a bad year for him, but this was easily Trocheck’s worst season as a Ranger, and mainly due to multiple injuries and life-threatening (his words) issues sustained.
Trocheck missed fifteen games at the start of the season, hence his INC grade at the 25% mark of the season.
In total, #16 skated in 67 games, where in that time, he registered 16 goals and 37 assists for a sum of 53 points.
Again, good numbers for most players – but not for a guy who totaled 25 goals, 52 assists and 77 points just two-years ago – and with his assist and point stats also doubling up as his career-highs.
Most alarming for the reliable center was his third-worst on the team rating of -16.
And for all of his power-play time, where he plays on the team’s top quintet?
Then he only scored two PPG’s this year.
After the whole will Drury trade him or not saga, serious enough that Trocheck was scratched for the infamous “roster purposes” reasoning (and where both Drury and Trocheck admitted that he was almost close to being dealt at the deadline), then Trocheck’s summer won’t be easy either – as there’s still a chance, if not a good one, that he’s already played his last game as a Ranger.
As noted in this space before, then I hope that he says.
After all, then who else will you get to replace him – and especially if the word “RETOOL” – and not “REBUILD” – is the mantra.
MIKA ZIBANEJAD
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: B-
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: C+
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: B+
Many people, Birdbrain beat writers included, are in awe of Zibanejad’s alleged “bounce back season.”
Lost in those two-words, bounce-back?
The fact that he stunk and stole money from this team for years – and especially when it mattered most – the playoffs.
And where did the Rangers bounce-back to anyway?
Third-worst in the league!
Locked in with his iron-laden NMC that he’ll never refuse to waive – as he has no problems with losing and doesn’t want to chase a Stanley Cup elsewhere – and Mika, the face of this mess, topped every pertinent scoring category for the team this season – 34 goals, 44 assists and 78 points.
In his 81 games played (he was scratched one game by Sully for arriving late to a team meeting), he finished as a second-worst -20 – and again – where only Captain Culture fared worse in this department.
Similar to others, then the bulk of Mika’s points took place with the Rangers long dead-and-buried in the standings – but he did pick up a hat trick against Florida in this year’s Winter Classic – which at the time – left the Rangers only two-points out of a playoff spot.
After that?
Then nothing but losing all the way to the Olympic break and beyond.
Let’s face it – I’m not a fan of his at all.
I once was (I still have his five-goal bobble-head proudly on display in my humble abode) – but I can never forget about all of the playoff failures, nor his ballerina act against the Devils last season either.
Plus, he’s been a coach killer for years – and is hellbent on holding up this franchise with his NMC.
With Quick now retired and hopefully Sheary gone too, then the 33-year-old, with a contract that doesn’t expire until 2030, is the oldest player on the team.
The time to win with Mika was in 2022-2024.
He ghosted the Rangers – and it’s time for the franchise to repay the favor.
Put it this way – will Mika’s value ever be higher again than it is right now?
Hopefully?
Hello Brady Tkachuk or Auston Matthews!
DEFENSEMEN
WILL BORGEN
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: B-
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: B
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: B+
A defensive-defenseman and I thought that Big Billy Borgen played well to his role – and even if he’s a reminder that the Rangers could’ve got Jake Guentzel at the 2024 NHL trade deadline for Kaapo Kakko instead of Borgen – and as they did during the early half of the 2024-25 season.
In 75 games played, Borgen, a rare Ranger to finish with a positive figure in his plus/minus rating (+3), scored five goals and fifteen points.
His 111 hits were fifth-best on the team, while his 99 blocked shirts were third-best overall.
As it goes for any true defensive rearguard, then if you’re not noticing him, then that’s a good thing – and as his plus/minus rating would suggest.
He was reliable when clearing pucks and opponents – and was never a liability.
But I just can’t stop thinking about what could’ve been either – a Jacob Trouba led Rangers’ team, with Guentzel as a flank, winning the Cup in 2024.
That said?
That’s a me problem – and not a Borgen problem.
ADAM FOX
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: A
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: B+
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: B+
It was another up-and-down season for the 2021* Norris Trophy winner (* = 56 game season against the same seven teams) and all because of injuries.
Fox, who did tease moving on from this team after being snubbed by his bosses, Drury and Sullivan, out of an Olympic roster spot (and where that pain must’ve hit even worse after Team USA took home the gold), only skated in 55 games this season.
Fox, who didn’t seem as open-ended about leaving during his exit interview when compared to his comments first made after the Olympic break, scored nine goals this season, while also tying Zibanejad for a team-high 44 assists.
And despite missing huge chunks of time?
Then Fox’s 53-points was good for third-best – which is also an indictment on the Rangers themselves!
Fox, along with Raddysh (68 games played), also finished with a team-high +5 rating.
For whatever reason, then there is much scuttlebutt in Rangerstown, USA in regards to Fox still being a top-ten d-man in the league – and if he’s even a top-ten American defenseman anymore too.
While the answer to the first question is definitely no, while the answer to the second question is debatable; but does it matter?
Either way – and he’s the best defenseman – American or otherwise – that’s on the Rangers’ roster today.
What hurt Fox this year, and as it’s been the case during the past two-years too, are injuries.
Simply put – and we haven’t seen a healthy Fox for an entire season in a long time.
Let’s hope we see that next season – and then beyond.
And oh yeah – despite what he previously said and alluded to – and I don’t see him parting ways with not only his favorite club of youth – but the only franchise he’s ever known either.
Leave it to me of all people to suggest this (I’m not exactly Arnold here) – but for Fox – then he should really focus on strength training this season – while trying to gain size/muscle too.
While he’ll never be a hitter or anything like that; but he does need to get strong so he can absorb regular hits without fearing the risk of injury.
DREW FORTESCUE
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: B+
The player that Mr. ZOOM ZOOM, Drury, screwed out of $80K this season, looked solid in his nine games played at the end of the year.
While it’s a short sample size, and while he’s also looking for his first NHL goal too; but Fortescue’s +4 rating was second-best on the team.
He also picked up two assists in his short tryout.
While perhaps the 20-year-old begins next season in Hartford; but the third-round pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft did look encouraging during his short stint this year.
VLADISLAV GAVRIKOV
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: A
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: A+
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: A+
It was a career year for the 30-year-old Russian, as for the true defensive-defenseman, and his 14 goals and 35-points notched served as career-highs.
Number 44 also finished with 104 blocked shots, second-best to only Braden Schneider (141).
Gavrikov, along with Schneider, Lafreniere and Cuylle, was also one of four Rangers to skate in all 82 games this season.
For a player that was tasked to serve as Ryan Lindgren’s replacement for the team’s star d-man, Adam Fox – and Gavrikov easily exceeded in this tough role – as Fox had never regularly played with anyone else but the now former #55 of the Blueshirts.
While they didn’t get to play together as much as they would’ve desired due to Fox’s injuries; then the new top pair in town seemingly gelled together overnight.
Gavrikov was easily the most reliable player on the team all-season – and as his team-high of 1945:28 of ice time (23:44 per game) will tell you.
That all said?
Then you have to wonder what Gavrikov is thinking.
For whatever reason, and he thought that New York would be a contender this year.
That’s why, and at his age, he took a team-friendly contract.
We all know what happened – and where the loss of his fellow Russian – ironically to the team that Gavrikov bid adieu to, the L.A. Kings, NDA Panarin, didn’t help matters either.
It’s been reported by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet that Gavrikov is contemplating his future.
While I never thought a seven-year deal for him made sense in the first place; but it would be tough to see him go.
After all, if not Gavrikov, then who else could pair-up with Fox in the today?
Certainly not K’Andre Miller!
MATTHEW ROBERTSON
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: B-
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: B+
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: B+
For the now 25-year-old rearguard, then this 2025-26 season, his rookie year, was most certainly appreciated.
Robertson skated in 75 games this year – and for the alleged “player-friendly” Sullivan, then one of his missed games (as a healthy scratch) took place in Edmonton – the hometown of the defenseman.
Mainly on the Blueshirts’ third-pair all-season and Robertson picked up 6 goals and 12 assists – while also finishing as a -1.
Robertson, who tried to contribute in any way that he could, also finished with a fourth-best 80 blocked shots, while also totaling a seventh-best 107 hits.
It was a long road for Robertson to get here – but I do think that he earned his spot too.
And while he didn’t really score much – but when he did – then it felt like they were all big goals – and where a third of his goals were game-winners too – and in a season where there wasn’t that many of them to talk about either.
BRADEN SCHNEIDER
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: C+
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: B-
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: C+
The player once nicknamed as “BABY TROOBS,” and a player that the former captain even once said would replace him on the Rangers, hasn’t really lived up to such expectations.
While I do think that he’s unfairly criticized more than he needs to be by others; but he’s never quite lived up to what we thought he would be following his successful rookie season.
At one point, then it looked #4 had some offensive wizardry skills under his belt.
However, and he finished with only two goals this season – but he did have sixteen helpers.
While he did finish with a team-high 141 shot blocks, but he also finished as -5.
To be fair, then while not aggressive as Trouba, but Schneider’s 163 hits was third-best on the team – but outside of only one or two times – then none of them were as memorable as Trouba’s hits regularly were.
There’s a lot of talk out there about moving on from Schneider – who funny enough – was named as the friendliest player by the Blueshirts’ birdbrain beat.
I wouldn’t clamor for Schneider’s exit as many are currently doing today; but I also wouldn’t be opposed to it should a better option present itself either.
Was Schneider bad this season?
Maybe – but then again – the whole team was – so he shouldn’t be singled out.
I think what all of the negativity surrounding him boils down to is that he has never lived up to those lofty expectations after his rookie 2021-22 season – which crazy enough – was now two coaches ago (Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette).
URHO VAAKANAINEN
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: C+
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: D
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: D
As said many times before in this space – then I have no clue why Drury retained the services of U.V. – and as the foolish GM did last summer.
U.V. only skated in 34 games this year and where during that time, he didn’t score a goal (but he did pick up six assists).
Perhaps as the return in the failed Trouba trade and Drury felt like he owed the Finnish defenseman something – but then again – and U.V. wasn’t shy when blaming the Rangers for not making his Olympic team this year (due to a lack of NHL ice time/games played).
Now at 27-years-old and on his third NHL team and it’s time for U.V. to find his fourth club – as it’s just not going to happen for him in New York.
GOALIES
DYLAN GARAND
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: A
As noted after every single one of his three starts – and Garand, and despite whatever Dumbass Drury said on Friday, has to enter next season as CZAR IGOR’s back-up.
And as said in this space once Garand first started making his name in Hartford?
Then, and with CZAR IGOR locked up for the next eight-years – and he’ll have to play well in a back-up role – and should that be the case – then like former back-ups such as Cam Talbot, Antti Raanta and Alexandar Georgiev – he’ll then receive life-changing money elsewhere.
Simply put?
Garand did nothing to warrant a demotion and did everything to earn a promotion to the varsity roster.
SPENCE MARTIN
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: DNQ
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: C
As said then and as I’m saying again here – then I never understood why Drury not only signed Martin – but then had him play over Garand when both CZAR IGOR and Jonathan Quick were injured.
A veteran journeyman who began the year in the KHL, and Martin, similar to Sheary and Raddysh, just didn’t belong on a retooling team.
And while the whole team was bad this season, but it’s not like Martin did anything to stand out either – and unlike the three other goalies who stood in-between the pipes for the Rangers this year.
JONATHAN QUICK
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: A+
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: A+
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: A
What more can I say about the future Hall of Famer, Jonathan Quick, that I haven’t already said all-season?
While Quick, like CZAR IGOR, deserved better in front of him; but he did what he could do – and he did it well – his black-and-white stats be damned.
At the half-way mark of the season, Quick had a 1.79 GAA and .937 save percentage – and where it was rare to see him give up more than a goal in any given game.
Then all the injuries happened.
And the Olympic break & trade deadline too.
It’s just a shame that he didn’t get a shutout in his last M$G start (his no-no was broken up with just 32-seconds remaining in the third period in a 4-1 win over Detroit) – and damn that Sean McDonough too!
As said many times before, then I hope that JQ32 remains as part of the organization in some capacity – should that be the desire of the man who calls Connecticut home.
CZAR IGOR SHESTERKIN
QUARTER-POLE REPORT CARD GRADE: A-
MID-SEASON REPORT CARD GRADE: A-
FINAL REPORT CARD GRADE: A
While a down year both statistically and injury-wise for him; but even so, and CZAR IGOR had some of the better goaltender stats in the league.
That is – sans his win/loss record – a byproduct of a bad Blueshirts’ season.
As originally noted when the Rangers lost 16 out of 18 games after their Winter Classic win in Miami, then with the team now down-and-out, and with Drury issuing his “Letter 2.0” too – then only CZAR IGOR, injured at the time but prepping for a return after the Olympic break, could ruin “the tank.”
If it wasn’t for CZAR IGOR, then the Rangers would’ve finished with the best odds at winning this year’s draft lottery.
CZAR IGOR, the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner, won’t be receiving any first place votes this year, which is also to say that the Rangers kind of wasted one of #31’s prime years – something that his predecessor, #30, was all too familiar with during his career.
As the highest-paid goalie in the league, then CZAR IGOR did live up to that billing more times than not; but it wasn’t enough for the second straight year – which just goes to my old talking point that a goaltender can’t be your highest-paid player in the salary cap era.
Very quickly and CZAR IGOR will turn 31-years-old next season – and as a result – that window to win gets smaller-and-smaller.
CZAR IGOR must stay healthy – but he’ll also need some help in front of him too or else next season will mark the third consecutive year of no Spring hockey in the Big Apple.
THE DEARLY DEPARTED, INJURED AND INCOMPLETES
Brett Berard, who seemed to have some promise last season, only played in 13 games this year, and where he never picked up a point in his baker’s dozen of matches. He’s still only 23-years-old, but for a team with plenty of flanks, then it looks like that he’ll have to wait a bit before getting another chance.
Anton Blidh, a 30-year-old veteran, skated in four games, registering an assist in one of them. He has no future outside of in Hartford with the organization.
Brendan Brisson, the son of a super-agent, and a player who I almost forgot about, picked up an assist in three games played. I don’t see him moving up to the varsity roster next season.
Justin Dowling, 35-years-old, played in two games for the club this year. You won’t see him in New York next year.
Adam Edstrom, who I’ve previously written about in long-form, found himself in Sully’s doghouse after sustaining several injuries this season. For whatever reason and the head coach never gave Big Ed a chance once he was 100% healthy. In total, #84 played in 35 games this year.
Vincent Iorio, a waiver-wire pick up from San Jose, played in six games for the Rangers, and as noted many times before – and I don’t know why Drury even brought him into the fold – that is – unless it was a favor for his fellow peer/GM with the Sharks, Mike Grier.
Connor Mackey, the reliable rearguard and now soon-to-be thirty-years-old, played in three games this season. He’ll always have a spot in Hartford – and he’ll always have that fight win over Brady Tkachuk from a few years back too.
Scott Morrow, one of the returns in the K’Andre Miller to Carolina trade from last summer, got plenty of chances, especially when Fox was out with injuries, but could never earn a regular roster spot. An alleged power-play quarterback and Morrow only picked up six assists (no goals) in his 29 games played.
Juuso Parssinen is someone that I was shocked to see brought back this season. In twenty games played, Parsinnen scored one goal and picked up two assists. Between injuries and performance, he was relegated to Hartford for most of the campaign.
Matt Rempe, similar to Edstrom, is someone that I’ve talked about in long-form many times before. The big man only skated in 26 games this year and perhaps would’ve received more games had he not been rushed back, which only worsened the injury to his broken thumb. This upcoming summer, and as noted last time around in this space, is going to be make-or-break. He knows it too.
Sam Carrick didn’t have a long run on Broadway – but he’ll always be fondly remembered. And as we all know, then if he wasn’t traded to Buffalo at the deadline, then he would’ve won this year’s Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award.
Brennan Othmann was a complete bust and with an even poorer attitude. He always came off as entitled and when things didn’t go his way – he crapped out. I don’t even want to be bothered to waste any more of my time on him.
Artemi Panarin most likely would’ve beat out Zibanejad in every scoring category had he not forced his way out of New York (19 goals, 38 assists, 57 points in 52 games played). He’ll always be the greatest free agent signing in franchise history – but between his off-ice issues and lack of playoff success – then he’ll never have that bond with fans like many other Ranger legends have.
Carson Soucy played in 46 games for the Rangers this year then Drury did him a solid when he dealt the new father of three to the Islanders – rather than disrupting his life by sending him to one of Drury’s regular partners on the west coast.
There’s no use in giving expanded profiles on the likes of Jim Dolan, Chris Drury and Mike Sullivan.
All of them get a big fat F – and an F-U from me to them too!
If you’ve been reading me for some time now, or at least from the end of last season, then everything that I predicted then came true one year later.
Granted, while I didn’t think that the Rangers would be this bad – but there was no chance in hell that I ever envisioned them reaching the playoffs this year either.
I understand why Dolan wants to be hands-off with his hockey team after many meddling years with his basketball team.
Plus, he’s just not a hockey guy.
But how long can he sit back and watch the worst captain in franchise history, and the most detested GM in the league today (according to a recent NHL poll), Chris Drury, just run this franchise into the ground?
If that’s not bad enough, then Drury has a nepotism/spoils system with Dolan’s money too – including the head coach – and a head coach that the Penguins sure don’t miss these days.
That concludes this year’s New York Rangers 2025-26 Final Report Card.
Two big segments down, one to go.
Stanley Cup Playoffs preview/predictions time!
I know that I’m a little belated in presenting to you my annual Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions this year (I was sick, it was WrestleMania weekend and I worked a ton of overtime at the real j-o-b – so give me a break!), but I did post my NHL Bracket Challenge picks on my Tweeter/X account on Friday night – which was one day prior to the start of the post-season.
In other words, then none of the Game 1 results have affected what you’re about to read below.
In case you missed my picks from Friday, then here you go:
#NHL Bracket challenge pic.twitter.com/XDyh7nu3wD
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) April 18, 2026
When it comes to the sixteen teams that qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, then I have a few teams that I wouldn’t mind succeeding, while also having several teams that I want to see quickly eliminated.
Obviously, two of the Rangers’ biggest rivals, the Penguins and Flyers, are playing against in each other in the first-round which means that one of them will at least reach the second-round.
Once the second-round of the tournament concludes, then I hope that we won’t have anymore hockey in Pennsylvania this season!
Carolina, another Metrosexual Division opponent, in a way, helped the Rangers the last time when they beat the Blueshirts in the playoffs – and even if New York’s first-round pick that year (2020), Alexis Lafreniere, hasn’t exactly panned out in the way that most people believed that he would.
But since that time?
And the Rangers have eliminated the Hurricanes twice from the playoffs.
Long story short?
Then while the Hurricanes aren’t as hated as other teams from the division, but regardless, and I’d like to see them fail again – and even if I do respect their bench boss, Rod “The Bod” Brind’Amour.
When it comes to the two wild card teams, both from the Atlantic Division, Boston and Ottawa, then of course, as a life-long New Yorker, and I hope to see the Bruins meet their demise early.
Furthermore, then I’ve been extremely anti-Massachusetts ever since Chris Drury became general manager of the Rangers – and where I’m not a fan of all of his Masshole hirings either!
I have no problems with the city of Ottawa – but I’m also rooting for them to be eliminated in the first-round.
While yes, the following is completely a “pie in the sky” hope – but perhaps if Brady Tkachuk is swept in the first-round – then maybe the noise gets louder in Canada’s capital – and as a result – he forces a trade out of town – and into his home country too – the great old U.S.A.
And what a better landing place than New York City?
Hey, a boy can dream – right?
As far as who I like (rooting for in the East), then it’s obviously the Tampa Bay Lightning – as I’ve been a DAY ONE BANDWAGONER since 2018 – the year when one of my favorite Rangers of all-time, Ryan McDonagh, was traded there.
Of course, other former Bluehirts, such as Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi, Brian Boyle, J.T. Miller (at the time) and others wound up with the Bolt on the chest, which only gave me more of a reason to root for Tampa – and especially when the Rangers were dealing with the ramifications of what’s now deemed today as “The Letter 1.0.”
And even if he’s Canadian (but USA beat him in the Olympics – never forget!) – then I do respect the hell out of their head coach, Jon Cooper!
I love the city of Montreal, having been there about ten times myself over the years – and it’s also great for the NHL when the Canadiens are doing well too.
While Montreal is playing Tampa in the first-round, and I’m backing the latter, but regardless and I do enjoy watching Martin St. Louis’ team play – as they are fast, electric and hard-hitting.
Another excellent city in the league is Buffalo – and where as noted many times before in this space – then even during their 15-year playoff drought – and it was the Buffalo market that gave the NHL their best playoff T.V. ratings in America.
(Of course, then Buffalo, and like Detroit, is a stone’s throw away from hockey’s home, Canada.)
Fans of the Sabres have been through a lot – and they deserve every minute of their current success.
I’d have no problem if the Rangers’ 2018 WINTER CLASSIC RIVALS won sixteen games this Spring.
When it comes to the West, then I’m definitely rooting for the Kings to lose.
2014 aside, but I’m not a big fan of NDA Panarin’s off-ice activities either, hence why I’m rooting for Colorado to trample them.
Since I always pull for the Blueshirts’ alumni, then I’m hoping that Mats Zuccarello, soon-to-be forty-years-old, can help his Wild lift the curse of the first-round off of the franchise.
And for one of the biggest Rangers’ fan-favorites of all-time, then I wouldn’t mind see him winning a Cup either.
But of course, I’m pulling for the Ducks, featuring one of my favorite Rangers ever, Chris Kreider, alongside former captain Jacob Trouba, to prevail in the West.
Similar to Tkachuk, although this is even a bigger pipe-dream than my Ottawa scenario, but perhaps if Connor McDavid and the Oilers get booted out in the first-round, then perhaps he’d contemplate playing elsewhere too.
Again, a boy can dream!
Should the Ducks and Wild go down early, then I’ll be pulling for the Vegas Golden Knights – and by now you know why – their head coach, John Tortorella.
Furthermore?
Then who wants to root for a Mormon State hockey team anyway!
With my rooting bias’ now out of the way, then at this time, let’s get into my 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions – and where over the course of the past thirteen years, then I believe I’ve gone 6/13 when predicting the eventual winner.
(I am also 0/3 whenever predicting the Rangers to win – and as was the case in 2015, 2022 and 2024. Ugh!)
FIRST ROUND
Colorado Avalanche over L.A. Kings in five games.
The Avs are just too deep, and while the Kings played well when snagging the final wild card in the West – I just can’t see them overcoming the best team of the NHL’s regular season.
But hey – at least the Kings won’t be eliminated by the Oilers for the fifth consecutive post-season!
Dallas Stars over Minnesota Wild in seven games.
As I write these words, then the Wild are presently up a game in the series after blowing out the Stars in Game 1. That said? Then the Stars are used to losing the first game of a playoff series – and then eventually winning the series in seven – that is – sans the Western Conference Final.
As noted above, I’m pulling for Minny, but I just think Dallas is used to this and for the team from the Land of 10,000 Lakes – they are just happy to be here.
Prove me wrong.
Vegas Golden Knights over Utah Mammoth in five games.
When it comes to “being happy to be here,” then that perhaps best personifies Utah.
The complete opposite can be said for Vegas – hence the late head coach switch towards the end of the season.
Torts’ Sin City Boys won eight of their last nine games of the season, en route to their Pacific Division championship.
If there was ever a coach that oozed playoff hockey, then it is Torts.
The Mammoth are the underdog in Vegas and while it’s unlike me to do so – then I’m going with the chalk in this series.
Anaheim Ducks over Edmonton Oilers in seven games.
It’s the same old story in Alberta – two of the best players in the league, McDavid and Draistaitl – but no goaltender to shoulder the load.
Put it this way – every Oilers’ win this season featured a McDavid point scored in it. The games where McDavid didn’t score? All losses!
While the Ducks are nowhere close to being as battle-tested as the Oilers, but they do have two significant advantages over the two-time reigning-and-defending Western Conference Champions – physicality and goaltending.
Both Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas can make life hell on opponents, while Lukas Dostal is much better in net than whatever goalie the Oilers can throw at them (Conor Ingram, Tristan Jarry and Calvin Pickard).
Anaheim, very young, but with savvy veterans, is my dark-horse pick of the first-round.
Buffalo Sabres over Boston Bruins in six games.
As I write these words, the Sabres just scored four unanswered third period goals to win Game 1 of this series by a 4-3 final – and this is exactly why I’m backing them here.
Ever since their GM switch, then they’ve displayed an uncanny and successful ability to erase all deficits – and especially late into games.
Conversely?
And Boston chokes away leads as if they were the Islanders!
I also think that home ice is very important in this series – and where Buffalo’s barn may be the loudest among all sixteen arenas.
Tampa Bay Lightning over Montreal Canadiens in six games.
On Sunday, Montreal bested Tampa by a 4-3 overtime final – and where it took a power-play goal to do it.
That said?
And I think that the Bolts will right their wrongs – but where like their opponents – and they’ll have to eliminate all of these bad penalties incurred.
This might be the most physical and nastiest series of the first-round, but I’m going with experience over youth here – but should the Canadiens prevail – then I wouldn’t be surprised about such a thing either.
And should that be the case?
Then that would mean four straight first-round exits for the Lightning – but a scenario that I don’t envision either.
Carolina Hurricanes over Ottawa Senators in five games.
Again, I made this prediction before the Canes blanked the Sens 2-0 in Game 1 of their series on Saturday afternoon.
Now that they are up?
Then I feel even stronger in this prediction – as once Carolina gets their claws into you – then they don’t let go.
Expect a ton of defense, not much offense and textbook checking from Brind’Amour’s brood.
While no one ever will admit to “being happy to be here,” but that’s what it is for an Ottawa team that benefited from all of the injuries in Florida and a Red Wings’ squad that absolutely choked down the stretch.
Ditto the chokin’ Sorokin’ Isles too.
Philadelphia Flyers over Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games.
Philly is now up over the Steel City, 1-0, after their 3-2 Game 1 win on Saturday night.
The Flyers, who entered this series as a big underdog, are a team that got hot at the right time.
In turn, I see them using their momentum gained from playing well during the final stretch of the regular season to overcome their interstate rival.
While it would be aMUSE-ing to see the Penguins, now Sully-less, to win without their now former head coach; but I just see the Flyers, and especially with late addition Porter Martone winning this series in a do-or-die seventh game.
SECOND ROUND
Lightning over Sabres in six games.
Hurricanes over Flyers in six games.
Avalanche over Stars in seven games.
Golden Knights over Ducks in six games.
CONFERENCE FINAL ROUND
Lightning over Hurricanes in six games.
Avalanche over Golden Knights in seven games.
STANLEY CUP FINAL
Lightning over Avalanche in seven games – and where Nikita Kucherov adds the Conn Smythe Trophy to his Hart Trophy too!
As noted last time around, then I’m taking a well-deserved break (maybe I’ll get back to my book projects too – as I just haven’t had the time to really get into them this season) – and then eagerly await (while closing my eyes) the results of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery – which will be held on Cinco De Mayo.
As you know by now, then the Rangers are guaranteed a top-five pick in the draft, while also having the third-best odds at landing this year’s first-overall pick.
Let the hockey gods smile upon the Big Apple – and as a result – grant the Rangers access to Gavin McKenna.
What’s that phrase again?
Oh yeah – a boy can dream!
Barring anything major taking place from now until May 5th – then I’ll see you once the NHL Draft Lottery results are revealed.
Until then?
Then your favorite segment and mine, and say it with me, you know…
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
