Mike Sullivan’s blunt push for Adam Fox establishes a clear, playoff-level standard: Fox must return to elite form to reach his Olympic goals, with no Ranger-favoritism in play. Fox’s Four Nations Ice-time shifts and the coach’s Norris-caliber expectations frame a season-long push to elevate his game after last year’s downswing, anchored by a potential top partnership with Gavrikov that could unlock Fox's offensive ceiling.

Meanwhile, the Rangers shake up their leadership: Blake Wheeler returns in a hockey-ops advisory role, and three in-house promotions—Ryan Martin to associate GM, Jim Sullivan to assistant GM, and Ryan Clo back in the mix—signal a front office built for a mix of veteran insight and analytics. For fantasy, Fox’s motivation and a stronger, more diverse braintrust around him could lift the team’s upside this season.