When the puck drops on a new season against the Penguins later tonight, the Rangers will be under the weight of heavy expectations. After coming close in two of the past three years, it’s Cup or bust for a core that’s been together long enough.

How will they handle the pressure? For an Original 6 franchise that’s won only four championships in its history, it hasn’t been easy. Since 2011-12, the Rangers have appeared in five Conference Finals. Their record is 1-4. The only time they won an Easter Conference Final was in 2014 when they defeated the Canadiens in six games – reaching their first Stanley Cup Final since Mark Messier led them to the Cup in 1994. They lost to the Kings in as close a five-game series as possible. The less said about it, the better.

Two years after coming within two victories of defeating the Lightning, they fell to the Panthers in six last spring. It was another close call. Florida went on to win the Cup. In each series loss, the offense dried up. Despite superb goaltending from Igor Shesterkin, it wasn’t enough. The Blueshirts needed more from a talented core that includes Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider. The trio picked the wrong time to go cold.

Since Panarin signed with the Rangers in 2019, they’ve become one of the league’s best teams. That also includes captain Jacob Trouba, who was acquired from the Jets that summer. He struggled throughout the 2024 postseason. Trouba wasn’t quite the same after returning from a broken ankle. His decline last season made him a trade candidate over the summer. But Chris Drury was unable to move him due to Trouba’s desire to remain in the Big Apple for his family.

Aside from that, now there’s the Shesterkin issue. He rejected an eight-year contract extension worth $88 million that would’ve made him the highest paid goalie in league history. The 28-year-old netminder is determined to get more. It could just be that he wants to become the highest player in Rangers franchise history. Panarin is currently that player with a cap hit of $11.64 million. His contract expires in 2026. If Drury were to offer $11.7 million to Shesterkin, would that get it done? His asking price is said to be $12 million. A figure that was first reported by the New York Post.

For the Blueshirts, none of this matters. They have a job to do. The business side of hockey will take care of itself. Shesterkin can earn that new contract by performing better than he has the last two seasons. That means a better start. It begins against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. Whatever happens in 2024-25 will decide whether or not a close-knit group remains together next summer.

FORWARDS

The core is led by Panarin, whose 49 goals and 120 points were career bests last season. His line with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere remain together. They carried the offense by dominating at even strength. Lafreniere is coming off his best season, in which he achieved personal bests in goals (28), assists (29), and points (57). If he can continue that trend, he will get a hefty raise next summer. With Lucas Raymond and Seth Jarvis signing big extensions, Lafreniere can put the onus on the Rangers. Trocheck also posted a career high 77 points while becoming one of the game’s best centers on faceoffs (58.7 pct).

Much of why they failed to get further can be attributed to Zibanejad and Kreider. More so Zibanejad, whose scoring slump really hurt. His failure to elevate his level at five-on-five has become a concern. A better season would go a long way to changing the narrative. Kreider remains a beast in front of the net, where he makes his living tipping in shots. Eighteen of his 39 goals came on the power play. He and Zibanejad have been inseparable since being put together. They now have a new right wing in veteran Reilly Smith. A former Golden Knight who was a key part of a Cup in 2022. He’s a good complement who’s defensively responsible. We’ll see if he can add a similar element on the top line.

Filip Chytil is a key to the season. Limited to 10 games due to his fourth concussion, he looked good in preseason. He will center the third line, which includes the gritty Will Cuylle, and Kaapo Kakko. Cuylle supplies the physicality. Kakko has yet to figure out how to score consistently. On a one-year deal, this could be his swansong. He really needs to produce. The health of Chytil is crucial. He must avoid the kind of hits that have plagued him. If he can perform, it would provide better balance than they’ve had. Too often, it’s hinged on the top six. That isn’t a successful formula.

Connor Carrick was brought in to replace Barclay Goodrow. It’s a tall task. But Carrick is a cheaper option who can center the checking line. He should supply energy and grit. Jonny Brodzinski finally starts the season with the big club. It’s well deserved for the 31-year-old vet. A versatile forward, he’s capable of playing all three spots and taking draws. While much of the fanfare continues to surround Matt Rempe, it’s been the play of Adam Edstrom during preseason that earned him a roster spot with Jimmy Vesey sidelined (LTIR). Edstrom’s skating, size, and soft hands make him a good fit. He’ll get to show what he can do. Rempe still must prove he can become a full-time regular. His size and strength make him a fan favorite due to the ferocious style he provides. He wants to be known for more than his fists.

DEFENSE

Adam Fox leads an experienced blue line. One of the game’s premiere defensemen, the former Norris winner remains an exciting player who can jump into the rush and make things happen. A terrific passer, he can find open teammates at even strength. He also doubles as the quarterback of the top power play unit. If there’s an area he’s improved on, it’s shooting the puck. He notched a career high 17 goals last season. The more he thinks shot, the harder it’ll be for opponents to defend him. Fox won’t have partner Ryan Lindgren for at least the first three games. Lindgren supplies the nuts and bolts, making life easier for Fox. He’s on a one-year, $4.5 million deal and can become a free agent in 2025.

Without Lindgren, K’Andre Miller will move up to play with Fox on the top pair. He remains a key to the blue line. He battled with inconsistency last season. Miller wasn’t pleased with 2023-24. Playing for a contract, he’s looking for a better season. At the moment, the Rangers’ matchup defenseman will also be featured on the second power play unit. Considering his responsibilities at five-on-five and on the penalty kill, we’ll see if he can handle the extra workload.

For the time being, Braden Schneider is being asked to shift to the left side. He didn’t look comfortable when tried with Fox in the preseason. He will start with Trouba on the second pair. Once Lindgren returns, Schneider can slide back to his natural side. He has more to give. Whether it’s teamed up with Miller on the second pair, or with Zac Jones, Schneider is another young player who’s being counted on.

All preseason, Jones proved that he’s ready to be a regular. His skating and offensive instincts will help improve team speed. If he can continue to improve, Jones has a shot to put up 30 points. Especially if he eventually replaces Miller on the second power play. He is good at getting his shot through and making things happen.

Victor Mancini was the biggest surprise of camp. He went from barely any pro experience to making the roster. A role opened up due to the Lindgren upper-body injury. However, Mancini had already opened eyes with his superb skating and relative calm with which he plays. How will he handle NHL speed? It isn’t preseason anymore. He’ll work with Jones on the third pair to start the season.

Chad Ruhwedel is a solid journeyman who’s capable of filling in when the situation needs it. He’s good insurance to have.

GOALIES

The Shesterkin stuff has already been examined. How he handles the pressure will determine his future. He turns 29 on Dec. 30. Considered one of the game’s best goalies, he’s looking to cash in. Why shouldn’t he want to get paid top dollar? He sure did his part last spring. He didn’t get any run support.

If he wants to stay a Ranger, then all he has to do is lead them to the promised land. If they broke a 31-year drought, there’s no way the Rangers wouldn’t show Igor the money. They don’t exactly have a heir apparent, either. Unless Dylan Garland suddenly proves he’s ready.

Jonathan Quick played so well last season that he signed on for another year. He’ll be hard pressed to duplicate the 18 wins he had. But he needs seven more to reach 400 victories for his career. Quick is a steady backup at this stage. When Shesterkin slumped last January, Peter Laviolette didn’t hesitate to ride the hot hand. It was Quick’s play that allowed Shesterkin to reset following the All-Star break.

COACH

Laviolette came in and did an outstanding job in his first season on Broadway. He changed the dynamic by making players accountable and adding a defensive system. The Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy by going 55-23-4 with 114 points. A proven coach who’s won 807 games, it’ll be interesting to see what he can do for an encore.

If there’s an area he can improve on, it would be at not being afraid to roll the dice. Former Ranger Erik Gustafsson struggled against the Panthers in the third round. Instead of inserting Jones, he stuck with Gustafsson, who didn’t help Trouba one bit. Laviolette also refused to adjust the power play when it went cold. Lafreniere remains a candidate who should see time if the top unit has issues.

ANALYSIS

The Rangers should remain near the top of the Eastern Conference. They will get more competition from the Devils for the division. The Islanders also should be good and the Hurricanes can’t be discounted. It doesn’t matter if they finish first. It’s all about the playoffs. Anything less than a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals would be underwhelming. It’s a lot to ask from a group that hasn’t proven they can deliver a championship.

They’ll be very good. But things will come to a head. There’s too many dominoes that have to fall in place. I am not expecting it to happen.