Grading the New York Rangers’ 2025 Offseason: Smart Moves or Missed Opportunities?

Grading the New York Rangers’ 2025 Offseason: Smart Moves or Missed Opportunities?…see more…

As the dust begins to settle on the 2025 NHL offseason, the New York Rangers find themselves in a familiar yet precarious position: aiming to improve on a strong regular season without sacrificing long-term sustainability. After another year of playoff heartbreak, the pressure mounted for general manager Chris Drury to take bold action. With several key decisions made — and others still looming — we break down the Rangers’ offseason moves to date and assign grades based on impact, strategy, and value.

 

 

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Re-signing Igor Shesterkin – Grade: A

 

Let’s start with the most critical box checked. Locking up Igor Shesterkin to a long-term extension was priority No. 1, and the Rangers delivered. The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner inked a seven-year deal worth $9.5 million AAV, a figure that balances elite performance with some financial foresight considering the rising cap.

 

Shesterkin has been the backbone of the Rangers since Henrik Lundqvist’s departure, and securing his services provides the team with both stability in goal and a leader in the locker room. It’s a move that could look like a bargain if the 29-year-old maintains his top-tier form into his 30s.

 

 

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Trading K’Andre Miller – Grade: C+

 

One of the more polarizing moves of the summer was the decision to trade defenseman K’Andre Miller to the Vancouver Canucks for a package that included a 2026 first-round pick and prospect Elias Pettersson (not the NHL star, but the Swedish defenseman of the same name).

 

While the return was respectable and addresses future depth, parting ways with a 24-year-old top-four blueliner entering his prime was a gamble. It suggests that New York wasn’t confident in reaching a long-term deal and preferred not to risk losing Miller for nothing. Still, the defensive depth now looks thinner, especially on the left side behind Ryan Lindgren and Zac Jones.

 

 

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Signing Vladislav Gavrikov – Grade: B

 

To help plug the hole left by Miller’s departure, the Rangers signed Vladislav Gavrikov to a four-year, $4.25 million AAV contract. Gavrikov brings a steady, physical presence and playoff experience, which fits Peter Laviolette’s defense-first philosophy.

 

While Gavrikov won’t replicate Miller’s skating or offensive upside, he’s a dependable second-pair option. The term and cost are reasonable, but the effectiveness of this signing hinges on Gavrikov’s ability to adapt to a faster system and support the Rangers’ breakout game.

 

 

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Letting Barclay Goodrow Go – Grade: B+

 

The Rangers placed Barclay Goodrow on waivers, and the move was largely financial. Claimed by San Jose, Goodrow’s departure clears over $3.6 million in cap space, which Drury quickly used to reallocate toward other priorities.

 

Goodrow was an important veteran voice and a key piece of the Rangers’ 2022 playoff run, but his on-ice impact had diminished. Given the team’s cap constraints and younger forwards pushing for ice time, this was a calculated risk that made sense for the team’s balance sheet and roster construction.

 

 

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Adding Depth Forwards – Grade: B

 

The Rangers didn’t chase flashy forwards in free agency but opted for a value-driven approach. They signed Tyler Motte to a one-year deal, brought in Austin Czarnik on a two-way contract, and re-signed Kaapo Kakko to a one-year “prove-it” deal.

 

Motte returns for his third stint and remains a penalty-kill asset and bottom-six energy spark. Czarnik gives Hartford veteran insurance, and Kakko still holds some upside despite years of inconsistency. These aren’t seismic moves, but they reflect a commitment to roster flexibility while keeping the door open for prospects like Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault to earn roles.

 

 

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Promoting Youth – Grade: A-

 

One of the most encouraging signs this offseason is the organization’s intent to give young talent more opportunity. The departures of Goodrow and Miller, plus modest free-agent spending, indicate that the Rangers believe in their pipeline.

 

Will Cuylle looks like a lock for a top-nine role, while Othmann, Perreault, and Adam Sýkora will battle in camp for NHL time. Developing these players is essential, not only for future success but also to maintain cost-controlled talent amid expensive contracts for stars like Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, and Mika Zibanejad.

 

 

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Still a Question at 3C – Grade: Incomplete

 

One area that remains unsettled is the third-line center spot. With Filip Chytil’s health uncertain and Vincent Trocheck locked in on line two, the team may look internally (Alex Wennberg? Karl Henriksson?) or consider a low-cost veteran addition before camp. Until that domino falls, this position remains a potential weak link.

 

 

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Coaching Staff Stability – Grade: A

 

Peter Laviolette returns for a second year, and the continuity could be key. The team’s defensive structure improved significantly last season under his system. With a year of familiarity and (hopefully) fewer injuries, the coaching staff should be better positioned to integrate younger players and adjust in real-time.

 

 

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Overall Offseason Grade: B+

 

The Rangers have executed a balanced, calculated offseason. They secured their most important player in Shesterkin, opened opportunities for young talent, and addressed defensive depth with a savvy Gavrikov signing. Letting Goodrow go was a cap necessity, and while the Miller trade raises eyebrows, the return was fair.

 

Still, there’s work to be done — especially at center — and the margin for error remains slim in a competitive Eastern Conference. But for now, the Rangers appear to have taken a step forward without compromising their future.

 

Final Verdict: Smart, forward-looking m

oves that leave room for growth — but the center ice puzzle still needs solving.