Thirteen years. Many thought Chris Kreider would spend his entire career in New York but it stopped at thirteen years. He’s well loved, tops many Ranger records and was on his way to becoming a team legend. In ways he already is but the highlight reels from his MSG home are now over. Above you can see Mike Zibanejad’s ode to his best friend.

With last season’s disappointing run from the majority of the team, it had become blatantly obvious that major changes were needed. It hasn’t been a coaching problem.

As the trade deadline approached last season, the effort to patch any holes the team had got more urgent. Ryan Lindgren & Jimmy Vesey traded to the Colorado Avalanche, for Calvin de Haan, Juuso Parssinen, and conditional draft picks. Reilly Smith traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, in exchange for Brendan Brisson and a 2025 third-round pick (Rangers retained ~50% of Smith’s salary). Carson Soucy picked up from the Vancouver Canucks, acquired for a 2025 third-round pick. And the Trouba trade before this to the Ducks where they took his remaining contract and traded Urho Vaakanainen.

The Rangers didn’t make the playoffs so it didn’t work.

Now, to the present, where some major moves have been made. Hurricanes sign K’Andre Miller to an 8 year, $60M deal. Rangers acquired Scott Morrow, a top 10 protected 2026 first-rounder, and a 2026 second-round pick. Defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov signed to a seven-year, $49M deal via UFA from the LA Kings.

Here we see a similar move with Krieder done with Miller: he’ll probably do better on another team and in his place, a hight caliber player. Gavrikov is arguably the best UFA defenseman. They signed him for a little less than expected, which is a bonus for signing more players. The Rangers’ defense should be noticeably better now, but more needs to be done.

Will Cuylle re-signed to a two-year, $3.9M AAV bridge deal, thank goodness. He was one of the best last season. Adam Edstrom, Matthew Robertson, Matt Rempe all got two-year deals, which is also good news.

Finally, free agents: Taylor Raddysh (2 yrs, $3M), Derrick Pouliot (2 yrs, two-way). Time will tell where they will fit in and how they will do.

Some of my favorite players are gone and no one would be surprised if Zibanejad is moved in the next month or so. It’s the end of an era, the block of loved players that got close to the Stanley Cup finals had their chance and the door is now shut. A part of sports that happens all the time to many fans’ chagrin.