New York Rangers Face Defense Challenges, Consider Braden Schneider for Top Pair

The New York Rangers experienced significant roster changes and mixed performances during the 2024-25 season, particularly on defense and among key players. Braden Schneider emerged as a reliable and physical presence on defense despite numerous lineup shifts, achieving career highs in goals and assists and showing potential to play alongside Adam Fox on the top defense pair by 2025-26. Vincent Trocheck, after a standout 2023-24 season, saw a notable decline in performance in 2024-25, with fewer assists, points, and a drop in advanced metrics, raising questions about his long-term fit with the team. The Rangers' defensive group overall struggled, with new acquisitions like Will Borgen, Carson Soucy, and Urho Vaakanainen joining after the departures of Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren, and both Fox and K’Andre Miller showing strengths despite team challenges. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues faced a grim outlook as defenseman Torey Krug is unlikely to return to play due to arthritis, marking a sad potential end to his career. These developments highlight a period of transition and evaluation for the Rangers and other NHL teams as they prepare for the upcoming seasons.