Will a holiday reset help fix the Rangers?

The New York Rangers have started the 2024-25 season 15-15-1, and it’s become obvious GM Chris Drury is not happy with how his team is performing.

Drury has made significant changes to the Rangers’ roster, moving captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks, while also trading former 2019 second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken. With both deals, Drury was able to restock some draft capital, while also adding some depth on his blueline.

New York has lost three straight games, and are 3-7-0 in their last 10. They’ll play three games in four nights, before having four days off for their holiday break. Perhaps some time away from the rink is exactly what the doctor ordered.

On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli were joined by Daily Faceoff’s and resident Rangers’ insider Jonny Lazarus, and discussed the Rangers’ season to this point.

Yaremchuk: Bigger picture view, I suppose. Like we just talked about, can the Rangers get a win before the Christmas break, get that good feeling back. Could that lead to some momentum in the new year? If it doesn’t, do you see any scenario where if things don’t get better, they consider more big moves to this roster. In terms of selling off and getting guys out, or, do you think they are just kind of committed to this roster until the summer, no matter what?

Lazarus: Well, Tyler, I will just tell you the next seven opponents that the Rangers have, and you tell me if it’s going to get better before it gets worse. Because, their next seven games are against Dallas, Carolina, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Florida, Boston, and Washington.

If we think it’s at rock-bottom now, I mean, I don’t see one win in those seven games with how this team has played. I think they might lose their next seven in a row, and god knows what this roster will look like after those seven games.

Seravalli: Jonny, come on. You’re in the ditch, man. You’re just seeing it from a fan’s point of view. Dude, this is a team that got to the Eastern Conference Final last year, and although they’re different now and definitely more fragile, they’re not this bad. Do you honestly believe that they are?

Lazarus: Ok, so I commented that I have a – ‘Jonny Lazarus take’, and I think you guys know how my brain works by now, after knowing you for a little over a year. So, this is just a thought I had last night honestly, and I assume you have both seen the movie Anchorman? And, you both love that movie, I would assume? (Yes and yes). Have you seen Anchorman 2? (Yes).

So, watching the movie Anchorman, you laugh the whole way, it feels great, you love the movie. Going to the theater to see Anchorman 2, I could not wait for that movie to end quick enough. It was the most painful movie I’ve ever had to sit through. It’s one that you should have loved, with memories, and movie quotes, moments that you carry with you, and laugh about with your friends. This is Anchorman 2 this season, and it’s like – get me out of this theater.

For more on the Rangers’ plans pre-trade deadline, and all the very latest from around the NHL, watch the full episode below.