"There is no easy way to say this: we don't know what to make of the New York Rangers. Ever since winning the Presidents Trophy two seasons ago, all the team has done is tread water. They should, on paper, be good enough to make the playoffs. Early returns from this season, especially their woes at the world's most famous arena, aren't painting a more positive picture."
"The first letter came during the 2017-2018 season. The Rangers wrote an open letter to fans saying their eye wasn't on the now, but instead towards the future. The term "retool" wasn't as commonplace back then even if that is essentially what New York was committing to. No, there wouldn't be years of tanking and losing. "Just don't expect a cup this year or next year" was the general message."
"When the Rangers broke through with making the Eastern Conference final in 2022 it seemed they lived up to their goal. Granted that success was more due to the emergence of Igor Shesterkin and the acquisition of big name free agents like Artemi Panarin. Still fans were thrilled and they followed up with another conference finals appearance two years later."
The New York Rangers have been inconsistent since winning the Presidents' Trophy two seasons ago, largely treading water despite expected playoff capability. Early-season results and struggles at Madison Square Garden have raised concern. A prior organizational 'retool' in 2017-18 emphasized future development over immediate championships while avoiding full tanking. Breakthrough playoff runs in 2022 and two years later were propelled by Igor Shesterkin's emergence and signings such as Artemi Panarin. A later controversial internal memo from general manager Chris Drury reportedly offered many players, including Chris Kreider, for trade, producing discouragement and anger across the team and fanbase.
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