After a tumultuous 2024-25 season that saw the New York Rangers go from being the defending Presidents’ Trophy winners to missing the playoffs entirely, the organization and its fanbase are looking for answers and a path to redemption. The team finished with a disappointing 39-36-7 record, a stark and painful contrast to the previous season’s success. This dramatic collapse, marked by a prolonged mid-season slump and a noticeable lack of resilience, has put the spotlight squarely on a core group of players who now have something to prove. As the team gears up for the 2025-26 campaign, the pressure is on for several key individuals to bounce back and restore the Rangers to their contender status. Among the most critical are a Vezina-winning goaltender and two highly-touted young forwards who have yet to fully realize their immense potential.
The most prominent of these bounce-back candidates is, without a doubt, goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The former Vezina Trophy winner’s performance in the 2024-25 season was a microcosm of the team’s struggles. While his raw statistics weren’t disastrous—he posted a 27-29-5 record with a 2.86 goals against average and a .905 save percentage—they were a significant drop from his elite, award-winning form. He lacked the consistent game-stealing ability that had defined his best seasons, and the team’s overall defensive structure seemed to fall apart in front of him. Shesterkin’s season was also disrupted by a couple of upper-body injuries, which may have contributed to his inconsistent play. However, with the offseason now providing a chance to reset and re-focus, the expectation is that he will return to the form that made him a foundational piece of the franchise. His contract, a significant eight-year, $92 million extension signed in December 2024, adds another layer of pressure. The Rangers are betting on him to be the backbone of their team for years to come, and his performance in 2025-26 will be the first true test of that commitment. For the Rangers to have any hope of a deep playoff run, Shesterkin must re-establish himself as one of the best netminders in the world. A renewed focus, a return to full health, and a more structured approach from the team in front of him could be the perfect storm for a triumphant return to elite form.
Another prime candidate for a bounce-back year is forward Kaapo Kakko. The former second overall pick has had a career marked by flashes of brilliance interspersed with frustrating inconsistency and untimely injuries. The 2024-25 season saw him once again struggle to find his footing, with a campaign that was disrupted by injuries before he was ultimately traded to the Seattle Kraken. His time with the Kraken was also marked by similar patterns of injury and inconsistent production. However, in a surprising turn of events, the Rangers re-acquired Kakko in the offseason, signaling a belief that he still has untapped potential. The hope is that a return to a familiar environment and a potential top-six role could be the spark he needs. Kakko possesses a unique blend of size, skill, and puck protection ability, but he has often struggled to put all the pieces together for a sustained period. For the 2025-26 season, the Rangers are counting on him to leverage his talent and finally produce at the level expected of a former high draft pick. A breakout season from Kakko could provide a much-needed boost to the team’s offensive depth and give the top-six forward group a new, dynamic dimension it desperately needs.
Rounding out the trio is Filip Chytil, whose career has been repeatedly derailed by health issues, most notably concussions. The 2024-25 season was no different. Chytil was traded to the Vancouver Canucks mid-season but suffered another concussion, which forced him to miss the remainder of the campaign. The New York Rangers, recognizing his potential and having a high degree of familiarity with his medical history, brought him back in a move that has both promise and risk. When healthy, Chytil is a dynamic and creative playmaker with a strong two-way game that can energize the middle-six forward group. He has the ability to drive play and create scoring chances, which is exactly what the Rangers need to shore up their depth scoring. The challenge for Chytil, and the Rangers, will be keeping him healthy. His return to the lineup, if he can stay on the ice, could provide a significant lift. A motivated and healthy Chytil could be the key to unlocking the Rangers’ secondary scoring, which was a major weakness during their disappointing 2024-25 season. His playmaking ability and speed are a perfect fit for a team looking to increase its offensive output and get back to the kind of consistent scoring that drives playoff success.
The upcoming 2025-26 season is more than just a new chapter for the New York Rangers; it’s a critical moment for a franchise determined to prove its recent struggles were an anomaly. The performance of these three players—Igor Shesterkin in goal, and Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil up front—will be under intense scrutiny. Their ability to bounce back from a disappointing season will be a significant factor in determining whether the Rangers can once again become legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. The team’s core is talented, but their collective motivation and individual performances will be the ultimate measure of their resolve. The stage is set for these three players to write a new, more successful narrative and lead the Rangers back to the postseason.
