Rangers' Defensive Core Has Sneakily Become Underrated And Dangerous

The New York Rangers’ defensive core has suddenly become one to be reckoned with. 

During the 2024-25 season, the Rangers’ defensive game was their clear Achilles heel, but it could be a strength this upcoming season. 

Over the past year, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury has restructured the team’s blueline. 

He’s moved on from defensemen Jacob Trouba, Ryan Lindgren, and K’Andre Miller, three long-standing players in New York, while letting Zac Jones walk in free agency. 

Meanwhile, Drury was able to add Urho Vaakanainen and Will Borgen this past season, who both signed contract extensions with the Blueshirts. The Rangers also traded for Carson Soucy ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.

The Rangers made their big move by signing defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million contract.

Along with Adam Fox, Gavrikov could play a heavy amount of minutes and become a true defensive anchor for the Rangers.

Either the Rangers could form an elite pairing of Fox and Gavrikov or out the defense by separating the two defensemen. It’s certainly not a bad problem to have. 

If the Rangers’ new head coach Mike Sullivan decides to move Braden Schneider to the left side, which all signs are pointing toward, the Blueshirts will have a lethal top-four consisting of Fox, Gavrikov, Borgen, and Schneider. 

A pairing of Vaakanainen and Soucy could make the Rangers five-six slot with Scott Morrow also potentially fighting for a roster spot, whom Drury acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in the K’Andre Miller sign-and-trade.

There’s no denying that the Rangers are in a much better spot in terms of their defensive core than where they were just one year ago.