There is a lot of pressure on players who are set to become free agents next summer including Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafrenière, K'Andre Miller, Ryan Lindgren and Kaapo Kakko.
The New York Rangers are entering a big season following the 2023-24 campaign where they won the Presidents’ Trophy, but ultimately lost to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.
There are also some individual players for the Rangers that are in dire need of a big-time year in order to secure their futures.
Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafrenière and K'Andre Miller are all set to become free agents next summer and are due for contract extensions.
It’s unclear how much traction there has been in contract negotiations, but their play this season will likely determine what sort of contract they ultimately receive, so their fate is fully in their hands.
Meanwhile, both Ryan Lindgren and Kaapo Kakko signed one-year contracts this offseason as the two young players are on prove-it type deals.
It’s less so for Lindgren, but if Kakko does not elevate his game this upcoming season, his time with the Rangers will most likely be finished, which brings a lot of pressure.
The Rangers seem to be a tight-knit group from the outside looking in, so these sort of individual situations shouldn’t serve as a distraction.
That doesn't mean there aren’t high expectations for them to perform because it’s their future and their money that’s on the line.
