The New York Rangers have entered the 2025 offseason in urgent need of change. After winning the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2023–24 NHL season with the league’s best record, the team followed up with a massive letdown in 2024–25, finishing 5th in the Metropolitan Division and missing the playoffs.
Their final record: 39 wins, 36 losses, 7 overtime losses.
General Manager Chris Drury began his response by firing head coach Peter Laviolette and hiring Mike Sullivan, a coach with two Stanley Cup wins (2016, 2017) from his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But the roster itself also needs changes. The Rangers were hoping to build around a new No. 1 center, and they had their eyes on Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights—a player they had previously tried to acquire in 2021 when he was still with the Buffalo Sabres.
That plan is now dead.
- Jack Eichel will remain with the Vegas Golden Knights, ending the Rangers’ hopes of acquiring him before his contract expires after the 2025–26 season.
- The New York Rangers finished the 2024–25 season with a 39-36-7 record, missed the playoffs, and replaced head coach Peter Laviolette with Mike Sullivan.
- With Eichel off the table, the Rangers are targeting free agent Brock Nelson and may trade veteran Chris Kreider to adjust their roster and cap space.
Elliotte Friedman: “Jack Eichel is Staying in Vegas”
In late May 2025, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported on his 32 Thoughts Podcast that Jack Eichel will not leave the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite being just over a year away from unrestricted free agency—his contract ends after the 2025–26 season—Eichel and Vegas are committed to each other.
Friedman’s exact words were:
“They’re happy with him. He’s happy with them. You know, these negotiations, they’re always a grind. But I’d be shocked if he is anywhere but Vegas in a year from now. Shocked.”
This confirms that Vegas plans to extend Eichel, who is eligible for an extension this summer. For the Rangers, it means the end of their hopes to sign or trade for him.
Eichel’s value is at an all-time high. He just completed his best NHL season with 28 goals, 66 assists, and 94 total points in 77 games. He also remains the offensive centerpiece for Vegas, who still view themselves as a championship-caliber team.
The Rangers, who had previously failed to land Eichel in 2021, will now have to look elsewhere to solve their center-depth problems. His contract would have aligned with the Rangers’ current financial structure. Artemi Panarin’s contract also expires after 2025–26, and Chris Kreider’s deal ends after 2026–27.
Rangers’ 2024–25 Season Breakdown and Fallout
The Rangers’ collapse in the 2024–25 season was both fast and costly. They began the year with a 10-5-1 record in their first 16 games but then fell into inconsistency. By the end of the season, they had slipped to 5th place in the Metropolitan Division, behind teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils, and failed to secure even a Wild Card spot.
Their final record was 39 wins, 36 regulation losses, and 7 overtime losses. Missing the playoffs just one season after finishing first in the NHL was unacceptable.
As a result, head coach Peter Laviolette was fired. GM Chris Drury hired Mike Sullivan to take over coaching duties. Sullivan last coached the Pittsburgh Penguins and led them to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sullivan brings a more structured and disciplined system. He’s expected to demand more consistency, especially from aging veterans like Chris Kreider.
Kreider’s Decline and Trade Possibility
Chris Kreider, 34, had one of his worst statistical seasons in years. After multiple strong seasons as a power-play threat and net-front presence, his 2024–25 stats were 22 goals, 8 assists, and 30 points total. For comparison, Kreider scored 52 goals in 2021–22. His output has dropped sharply.
Kreider’s current contract pays him $6.5 million per season and lasts until the end of 2026–27. With that in mind, and the team shifting direction under Mike Sullivan, Kreider may be traded this offseason. Several NHL insiders expect Drury to explore offers, especially if it allows the team to clear cap space and bring in younger talent or a reliable second-line center.
Mika Zibanejad Rebounds with Team Sweden
While Kreider struggled, Mika Zibanejad showed signs of turning things around, just not in a Rangers uniform. After a frustrating season where he scored 62 points in 82 games, a drop from 91 in 2021–22 and 72 in 2022–23, Zibanejad joined Team Sweden for the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
In that tournament, Zibanejad recorded 4 goals in 6 games. Swedish teammate Rasmus Andersson praised him, saying, “He takes on that leadership role… He’s been really himself here.”
Zibanejad admitted that he lost confidence early in the NHL season. He said, “Mentally, what I went through the first few months was probably the toughest I’ve ever been through in my career… I didn’t play for free.” Now, under Mike Sullivan, Zibanejad could be key to turning the Rangers around, especially if he brings that same poise and leadership back to New York.
Brock Nelson Becomes a Priority Target
With Eichel off the board, the Rangers are turning their attention to Brock Nelson, a 33-year-old center who finished the season with the Colorado Avalanche after being traded from the New York Islanders.
Nelson’s 2024–25 regular season stats were 26 goals, 30 assists, and 56 points in 80 games, with a +8 plus-minus rating. In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nelson played 7 games, recording 0 goals, 4 assists, a +2 rating, and 17 minutes and 50 seconds average ice time. The Avalanche were eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Stars, and Nelson is expected to become a free agent.
The Rangers are expected to make an offer. Nelson, drafted 30th overall in 2010 by the Islanders, is familiar with New York and may welcome a return. However, the Rangers will face competition. The Toronto Maple Leafs, eliminated by the Florida Panthers in Game 7, are rumored to be looking for center depth. With John Tavares potentially hitting free agency, Nelson could be on their list.
NHL Free Agency opens on July 1 at 12:00 PM ET, and Nelson will likely receive multiple offers. The Rangers will need to act fast and offer a competitive deal.
