Shesterkin and Fox Anchor Rangers Core Plans — The Hockey Writers

The hockey writers says the New York Rangers have narrowed their future to two clear anchors: Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox. After a January letter sent the club into a retooling direction, those are the players the team is expected to build around moving forward.

Shesterkin and Fox Drive the Rangers Plan

Shesterkin and Fox were the two players described as locks to be part of the Rangers’ core. Both were out with long-term injuries when the January letter went out, and the team dropped quickly in the standings during their absence.

That makes the Rangers’ next step less about broad change and more about holding the right pieces in place. The piece says the club needs to keep Fox unless he asks for a trade out of New York, which puts his future among the most important decisions in the retool.

Zibanejad Carries The Scoring

While the team’s year turned negative, Mika Zibanejad delivered the clearest offensive line on the roster. He finished with 34 goals and 78 points in 81 games played, then added 21 more points and 10 more goals than his next closest teammate.

That gap shows how thin the scoring support was behind him. Gabe Perreault was next with 12 goals and 27 points in 49 games played, and Alexis Lafreniere followed with 24 goals and 57 points.

Lafreniere's Rise After Panarin

Lafreniere’s 57 points matched his career high from the 2023-24 season. Once Artemi Panarin was traded, he became more dominant and turned into a true play driver on his line with Zibanejad and Perreault.

That leaves the Rangers with a tighter core than the January letter might have suggested. Shesterkin and Fox stand at the center of it, with Zibanejad, Perreault, and Lafreniere offering the strongest evidence for who can help shape what comes next.