New York Rangers Stats, Odds, Standings and Schedule for NHL Season 2023

New York Rangers Last Season Performance

The New York Rangers finished third in the Metropolitan Division, just six points behind first-place Carolina.

The playoffs were a disaster for New York, which easily won the first two games in New Jersey before dropping four of the next five. The Rangers managed two goals in the four setbacks, despite acquiring Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko at the trade deadline.

Mika Zibanejad led the way with 39 goals for the Rangers, while Artemi Panarin edged the center for the points lead 92-91.

New York was a disappointing 12th in the league in scoring but was fourth-best in goals-against average (2.63). 

Offseason Changes

Key Additions

Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury brought in several veterans to sprinkle through the lineup around emerging young talents.

Right wing Blake Wheeler (922 career points) was bought out by Winnipeg and signed a one-year deal with New York, while two nearby Connecticut natives – Nick Bonino and goalie Jonathan Quick – were inked to deals as free agents. 

Wheeler and Quick are 37, and Bonino, a center, is 35. But Quick and Bonino have won a combined five Stanley Cups.

The Rangers also added depth with forwards Tyler Pitlick, Alex Belzile, and Riley Nash, along with defensemen Connor Mackey and Erik Gustafson.

Key Subtractions

Tarasenko was let go and signed with Ottawa, while Kane is still a free agent after undergoing successful hip resurfacing surgery following the playoffs.

Kane could be ready to play by late 2023, but the Rangers would have to make some moves to free up the cap space to bring him back. It’s not out of the question if he wants to sign a cheap one-year deal.

The Rangers also lost bottom-six forward Tyler Motte, backup goalie Jaroslav Halak, and bottom-pair defenseman Niko Mikkola.

New York Rangers Head Coach Analysis

Peter Laviolette will coach his sixth NHL team – five of them in the Metropolitan Division – after being named to replace Gerard Gallant. 

The 58-year-old Laviolette has taken 13 teams to the playoffs in 21 seasons, winning the Cup with Carolina in 2006 and losing in the finals with Philadelphia and Nashville.

Laviolette is 752-503 with 25 ties along with 150 overtime and shootout losses. He is eighth in all-time NHL wins and first among American-born coaches.

He may be the coach to put the Rangers over the top, but we think his star is on the decline. Laviolette (+1800 in the Las Vegas odds to win the Jack Adams Award) has won one playoff round since taking Nashville to the Cup finals in 2017.

New York Rangers Prediction for the 2023-24 Season

The Rangers viewed 2022-23 as a major disappointment, as demonstrated by the firing of a coach who was 99-46-19 in two regular seasons.

The team’s brass hopes that taking a few steps back may send them forward to their destiny. Much of that will depend on how their young players continue to develop.

Zibanejad, Panarin, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck, and Barclay Goodrow give New York a strong core up front. Filip Chytil, 24, took steps forward last season with 22 goals, but the Rangers are still waiting for consistency from 22-year-old Kaapo Kakko and 21-year-old Alexis Lafreniere. 

Former second-round pick Will Cuylle, 21, and 2021 first-round pick Brennan Othmann, 20, may also find a way to contribute up front as the season goes along…

The defense is solid, with Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, Jacob Trouba, and K’Andre Miller leading the way in front of goalie Igor Shesterkin. The under will likely be a good bet at the sportsbook when the Rangers are playing.

New York Rangers FAQ’s

We think there is plenty of talent in New York to make a run at the Eastern Conference title. If their offense perks up a bit, the Rangers will be a factor at +1600 in the Las Vegas odds to win the Cup.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]