Igor Shesterkin’s decline over three seasons makes or breaks the Rangers’ 2025-26 hopes. The eight-year, $92M commitment hinges on him reclaiming the elite form that carried New York to playoff runs, even as the team’s defensive structure gets a major overhaul under Mike Sullivan. Gavrikov’s arrival aims to stabilize the blue line and let Shesterkin steal fewer games. Camp buzz around the kids and veteran cores adds optimism, but strategy and health will drive the season.

New coach Sullivan emphasizes perimeter play and stronger zone coverage, while Gavrikov and Fox anchor the top pairing. Panarin’s health, Miller’s leadership, and Lafreniere’s bounce-back are key headlines, but the upside still rests on Shesterkin turning saves into wins with improved team defense and depth pieces such as Perreault, Laba, and Morrow pushing for roles.

Metropolitan winds are shifting as the division’s old guard fights for one more run. Washington, with most of the Cup core intact and Ovechkin pursuing a final title, looks to defend. Carolina adds Nikolaj Ehlers to speed up their attack while Rod Brind’Amour steers development toward a Cup run. The Rangers bring in Mike Sullivan to reset a roster that missed the playoffs, and New Jersey leans on a healthy Jack Hughes to drive a deep push. With Pittsburgh, the Islanders, and Philadelphia navigating transitions and Columbus lurking, the East’s force structure is up for grabs as the season dawns.

Fantasy implications run through every move: Ovechkin’s PP ubiquity keeps him a premier goal producer; Ehlers adds a high-gear spark that could push Carolina’s top line into elite territory; Gavrikov and Miller bolster a Rangers defense that should translate into more defensive stats and secondary scoring. Hughes’ health is a focal point for Devils, while Michkov and Schaefer highlight Philadelphia and New York’s long-term upside. The league watches closely as Roy and Tocchet reshape Islanders and Flyers respectively, and Columbus remains a dark horse with developmental upside.

Sullivan plans to start Mika Zibanejad on J.T. Miller’s right wing, leveraging summer relationship-building to unlock top-line chemistry. The move tests center depth but aims to jump‑start the roster with a cohesive, veteran-led group as camp opens and the Rangers chase a strong start after last season’s misstep.

Beyond Miller and Zibanejad, New York leans on Vincent Trocheck at center, Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov on the back end, and Igor Shesterkin between the pipes. The Oct. 7 opener vs the Penguins will light the first real test of these early roster decisions.