The New York Rangers have had a rocky start to the 2024-25 season, currently sitting at a middling 15-15-1 record. General Manager Chris Drury has made it clear he’s dissatisfied with the team’s performance, evidenced by a series of significant roster changes. Drury traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks and former 2019 second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken. These moves allowed the Rangers to stockpile draft assets and add depth to their defense, but so far, the results on the ice haven’t improved.
The Rangers have lost three consecutive games and are 3-7-0 in their last 10 outings. They’re entering a critical stretch with three games in four nights before a four-day holiday break. For a team struggling to find consistency, this short time off could provide an opportunity to regroup and reset.
On the Daily Faceoff LIVE podcast, Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli discussed the Rangers’ current struggles with insider Jonny Lazarus. The conversation touched on whether the Rangers can turn things around and what the future might hold if they can’t.
Can the Rangers Turn Things Around?
Yaremchuk began the discussion by asking whether a few wins before the holiday break could help the Rangers regain their footing and build momentum heading into the new year. Alternatively, he questioned if continued struggles might prompt the team to consider more drastic changes, potentially selling off assets or making additional trades.
Lazarus didn’t mince words in his response. He provided a sobering outlook, referencing the Rangers’ next seven opponents: Dallas, Carolina, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Florida, Boston, and Washington. He was blunt in his assessment, stating, “If we think it’s at rock bottom now, I mean, I don’t see one win in those seven games with how this team has played. I think they might lose their next seven in a row, and God knows what this roster will look like after those seven games.”
A Counterpoint to the Doom and Gloom
Seravalli offered a more optimistic perspective, pushing back on Lazarus’ dire predictions. He reminded listeners that this is a team that made it to the Eastern Conference Final just last year. While acknowledging that the Rangers are a different and more fragile team this season, he argued that they aren’t as bad as their recent play suggests. “This is still a talented roster,” Seravalli insisted, “and they’re capable of more than what we’ve seen.”
A Unique Comparison: Anchorman vs. Anchorman 2
Lazarus then used a humorous metaphor to describe the Rangers’ current season. Drawing a comparison to the Anchorman movies, he said, “Watching the first Anchorman, you laugh the whole way, it feels great, you love the movie. But watching Anchorman 2, I couldn’t wait for it to end. It was painful. That’s how this season feels—it’s like, get me out of this theater.”
The comparison highlights the frustration many Rangers fans feel. After last year’s deep playoff run, expectations were high coming into the season. Instead, the team has struggled with inconsistency, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning what’s gone wrong.
What’s Next for the Rangers?
The upcoming stretch of games will be critical in determining the Rangers’ trajectory for the rest of the season. If they can pull off some wins against tough opponents, it could signal that the team is beginning to turn the corner. However, if their struggles continue, Drury may have to make further changes, either before the trade deadline or during the offseason.
The Rangers’ current issues extend beyond just roster construction. Consistency and mental toughness have been recurring problems, with the team struggling to maintain leads and compete against top-tier opponents. Head coach Peter Laviolette will need to find ways to get the most out of his players, especially as the team faces one of the most challenging stretches of their schedule.
A Holiday Reset?
The upcoming holiday break could provide the Rangers with a much-needed chance to reset. Time away from the rink may help players recharge physically and mentally, returning with renewed focus and energy. While no one expects a few days off to solve all of the team’s problems, it could serve as a stepping stone toward a stronger second half of the season.
The Trade Deadline Looms
If the Rangers continue to struggle, Drury may look to reshape the roster even further. The trades of Trouba and Kakko suggest that no one is untouchable, and additional moves could be on the horizon if the team doesn’t improve. However, as Yaremchuk and Seravalli pointed out, the Rangers still have a talented core. The question is whether they can maximize their potential before it’s too late.
For now, the Rangers face an uphill battle. Their schedule doesn’t get any easier, and their performance over the next few weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of their season. Whether they can recapture last year’s magic or continue to falter remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the pressure is on in New York.
