Rangers Aim to Break Playoff Drought in 2026-27 | New York Rangers News

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It's September 28th. All right, let's dive in to what's going on with the Rangers as they head into the 2026 to 2027 season. Last year was a rough ride, finishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 34, 39, and 9 record. Head Coach Mike Sullivan's arrival didn't turn things around, so it's clear they got a lot of work to do. They made some moves this offseason, though. General Manager Chris Drury brought in top scorer, Pavel Dorofeyev, on a seven-year extension after snagging him from the Golden Knights. Drury's focused on depth and revamping the defensive core. We'll see if that strategy pays off, but there's potential for sure. On the bright side, the Rangers are bringing back a promising offensive trio with Gabe Perreault, Mika Zibanejad, and Alexis Lafreniere. Those guys found a solid flow toward the end of last season, and if Captain JT. Miller can bounce back, he could really boost their game alongside Dorofeyev. Gotta have that support, right?

Now, the defense is looking stronger, too. Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov are set to anchor the top pairing, while newcomers Marcus Pedersen and Sean Dursey fill out the second unit. With Braden Schneider sliding down to the third pairing next to first-round pick Albert Smits, the Rangers are bulky on defense, which they desperately need to compete. So what's the verdict?

The Rangers might miss the playoffs again, sitting fifth in the competitive Metropolitan Division. There's definitely room for growth, but they'll have to keep their stars healthy and up their production. If everything clicks, they could steal a wild card spot, but it's going to be a tight race once again.

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