For years, one of the New York Rangers’ biggest weaknesses has been their play in the defensive zone. No matter who’s been behind the bench or which players have filled the lineup, the team’s defensive struggles have remained — and last season was no different. Poor defensive play was a major reason the Rangers fell short, and if not for Igor Shesterkin’s heroics in net, the season could have been much worse. While the front office has made changes to the blue line this summer, it’s fair to wonder whether they’ll be enough — and whether defense will once again be the team’s Achilles’ heel next season.
Breaking Up a Defensive Core That Fell Short
Since the shortened 2020-21 season, the Rangers leaned heavily on a core group of defensemen: Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, Jacob Trouba, and K’Andre Miller. Braden Schneider joined the group the following year and quickly became a fixture. Together, they formed what many hoped would be the foundation of a championship-caliber defense. But despite their talent, that group consistently came up short in the playoffs.
Over time, it became clear that changes were necessary. Last season marked the beginning of that overhaul, and now, heading into the new campaign, the defensive unit looks dramatically different. Of the seven defensemen on last season’s opening night roster, only Fox and Schneider remain. Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in December. Victor Mancini, who filled in during Lindgren’s injury, was dealt in the J.T. Miller trade. Lindgren was shipped to Colorado at the deadline. Zac Jones was not tendered a qualifying offer and signed with Buffalo. And most recently, Miller was sent to Carolina. The Rangers’ blue line will have a completely new look this fall.
Why Trading Miller Made Sense
The decision to move on from K’Andre Miller had been brewing for a while. The 24-year-old was a restricted free agent, and GM Chris Drury didn’t feel comfortable committing to a long-term contract — or even a shorter deal that would bring him to the brink of unrestricted free agency. Miller simply hadn’t developed into the player the organization had hoped for, continuing to make costly mistakes even after several seasons in the league.
Ultimately, a trade was the best solution for both sides. On July 1, the Rangers signed Miller to an eight-year, $7.5 million-per-season contract as part of a sign-and-trade with Carolina. In return, New York received prospect Scott Morrow, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2026 second-round pick. The haul was better than many expected, and while trading within the division isn’t ideal, the Rangers got a return that made sense for a player they no longer saw as part of their future.
Gavrikov Helps — But It’s Not Enough
To fill the hole on the left side created by Miller’s departure, the Rangers signed Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $7 million-per-year contract. By all accounts, this was a solid move — Gavrikov is a reliable, polished defender who can help stabilize the blue line. He won’t provide much offense, but paired with Adam Fox, that won’t be his job. His addition should help, but the depth behind him remains a serious concern.
The rest of the projected defense includes Schneider (likely shifting to his off-side on the left), Will Borgen, Carson Soucy, and Morrow. There are question marks everywhere. Schneider showed flashes on the left side last season, but it’s not his natural position. Soucy struggled after arriving last year and carries a $3 million price tag that doesn’t match third-pair production. Borgen is steady, but unproven at a bigger role. And while Morrow has potential, he’s still inexperienced.
Big Questions Remain
As things stand now, the Rangers’ blue line is filled with uncertainty beyond Fox and Gavrikov. New head coach Mike Sullivan will have his work cut out for him trying to mold this group into a dependable unit. Of course, there’s still time for trades or signings before opening night, but if this is the defense New York takes into the season, fans have every reason to be concerned that the same old problems could once again derail the team’s hopes.
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