​The New York Rangers have been busy in recent weeks, aiming to rebound after one of the toughest seasons in franchise history. They finished last in the Metropolitan Division and in the Eastern Conference, marking the first time since 2017-18 that they finished last in their division and the first time since the NHL’s original six era ended in 1967 that they hit rock bottom within their conference. Quentin Dolan, who recently stepped in as the Rangers’ owner, is determined not to let the team endure another season like 2025-26. That resolve has driven a flurry of moves by general manager Chris Drury, highlighted by the addition of sniper Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights and the long-awaited trade that sent veteran center Vincent Trocheck to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for defenseman Sean Durzi, center prospect Cole Beaudoin, and a 2027 third-round pick.
But the rest of the Metropolitan Division isn’t standing still. The Carolina Hurricanes, who won the division and captured the Stanley Cup, and the New Jersey Devils, who finished seventh in the division, are both active as they prepare for another challenging season. The Rangers face a steep climb to close a 21-point gap with the Flyers, the last of the three Metro teams that earned playoff spots last season. With roughly two months to go before players report to training camp in September, here’s how the Blueshirts and the rest of the division look as they head toward the 2025-26 season.
In the Rangers’ 2025-26 campaign, they finished 34-39-9 for 77 points, placing eighth in the conference. Their biggest additions were Dorofeyev, who brings a scoring touch, along with Oliver Bjorkstrand, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, Joe Veleno, and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. They bid farewell to Vincent Trocheck, Brett Berard, Jonny Brodzinski, Adam Edstrom, Will Borgen, and Jonathan Quick. The lineup changes are aimed at retooling both the forward group and the defense, with the expectation that new chemistry and improved depth will yield better results.
Dorofeyev’s arrival gives the Rangers a much-needed offensive spark, particularly with a shooter who can stretch defenses. Durzi and Pettersson are expected to bolster the defensive structure, potentially forming a more effective second pairing than the club had last season. On offense, the Rangers are counting on a rebound season from J.T. Miller, who is anticipated to anchor a line that could feature Dorofeyev and Bjorkstrand, one of the newcomers. Goaltending remains a strength, with Igor Shesterkin widely regarded as elite when healthy, a critical factor after last season’s timing of injuries to him and defenseman Adam Fox disrupted the team’s rhythm.
Looking ahead, the Rangers’ success will hinge on staying healthy and finding that elusive consistency. Shesterkin’s health and Fox’s performance will be crucial, as will be the ability of the new additions to mesh quickly with the established core. While the Rangers are certainly improved on paper, they face a high bar: achieving a playoff berth after back-to-back misses would require everything to go right for them and avoiding the injuries that can derail momentum.
Across the division, the Hurricanes’ decision to pursue more defensive depth underscores how competitive the Metropolitan is becoming. They attempted to land the rights to John Carlson as a free agent, hoping to add veteran experience to their blue line, but the move did not materialize, and Carlson instead joined another club. The dynamic in the division remains unsettled, with teams like the Flyers and Capitals also adjusting their rosters for the coming season. As training camps approach, fans can expect a division full of scrutiny, intense competition, and a renewed effort from every team to climb toward the top and secure a playoff position.