J.T. Miller was named captain of the New York Rangers, signaling a leadership core as training camp opens. Miller’s late-season surge after returning in January established him as a top scorer and trusted voice on and off the ice, anchoring a new era under coach Mike Sullivan.

New York reshapes behind the scenes as Miller is reacquired from Vancouver, Gavrikov adds blue-line stability, and Trouba is moved to Anaheim. Laviolette is out, Drury stays, and the opener on Oct. 7 pits the Rangers against Sullivan’s old club, the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking a pivotal season for a club chasing a return to the postseason.

New York Rangers missed the 2025 playoffs amid a fractured season, with a volatile backdrop from front office chaos to on-ice discord. Mike Sullivan was brought in as head coach to steady the locker room, while big moves reshaped the roster: Kreider was dealt to Anaheim, Miller to Carolina, and Gavrikov signed to pair with Fox. Alexis Lafreniere looms as a potential hockey trade chip, setting up a high-stakes summer. The club eyes a claw-back playoff push in 2026 with a retooled core and clearer leadership.

Rangers pivot hard for 2025-26: Gavrikov shores up the blue line with a seven-year, $49 million bid, while Shesterkin eyes a bounce-back season behind a more stable defense. Miller was moved to Carolina, Kreider exits, and Mike Sullivan takes the bench reins in New York. Panarin, Zibanejad and Trocheck must drive a top six that can outscore rough patches; Cuylle and Lafreniere must grow into reliable secondary scoring. A tighter 5v5 foundation shapes a playoff push with Shesterkin back in form as the fulcrum.