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The New York Rangers have failed to make the playoffs after a strong 2023-24 regular season saw them make it to the Eastern Conference Final. After some drama to start the season, the Rangers were able to find some success and start winning games, but it wasn’t enough, and they will now be shifting their focus to the offseason. In this latest edition of Rangers News & Rumors, we look at some sensitive news about Artemi Panarin, the future of Peter Laviolette, as well as potential trade pieces Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.
Artemi Panarin Reportedly Settled Sexual Assault Allegation
It was reported on Thursday that the Rangers and Panarin had settled a sexual allegation issue with a former Rangers employee. In a recent article from The Athletic, Katie Stang wrote:
Neither Panarin nor his agent responded to a request seeking comment. An MSG Sports spokesperson said in an emailed statement: “The matter has been resolved.”
source – ‘Artemi Panarin, MSG reached settlements with Rangers employee after sexual assault allegation’ – Katie Stang – The Athletic – 04/17/2025
This raised some questions about Panarin’s future with the team and in the NHL, but at the current moment, it doesn’t seem like any further action will be taken.
Peter Laviolette/Chris Drury on Hot Seat?
In a recent article from RG.Org, Jim Biringer looked at the potential of some massive changes coming to the team, specifically touching on the idea of head coach Peter Laviolette and Chris Drury being relieved of their duties before the 2025-26 season gets underway. “..if the Rangers do decide to make a coaching change, then their GM could follow suit,” Biringer wrote, mentioning that an anonymous NHL executive is the one who suggested the idea.
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Going from winning the Presidents’ Trophy to missing the postseason in one season could be the nail in the coffin for both of them. There was some drama at the beginning of the season that stemmed from Drury’s comments about trying to move on from fan favorite forward Chris Kreider, and those comments are being revisited after the Rangers struggled immensely. Time will tell what happens, but there may be a massive overhaul in New York before next season.
Kreider & Zibanejad Trade Talks Heat Up Again
In the same article from RG, Biringer commented on the potential changes being made with the players in terms of trades in the offseason. Rumors were circulating that both Kreider and Mika Zibanejad were made available before the 2025 Trade Deadline, but nothing ever came to fruition. Zibanejad spoke publicly about the rumors, and was very clear he did not want to waive his trade protection to play for another team, and wants to remain with the Rangers.
However, it does seem like trade talks surrounding both players could pick up again as the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaches. If a player is told a team wants to move him, how long before he cracks, knowing that the team he wants to play for doesn’t want him anymore? Both players are loved in New York, but the team could be looking to move one or both of them before the 2025-26 season gets underway to give the team a new look and shift to more of a youth movement.
After a terrible 2024-25 campaign, there is almost no way the Rangers will look the same next season. They will have to make some moves if they want to get back into contention, but time will tell what moves they’re willing to make. For now, the next step is the draft and looking into the future of the team.
As the 2024-25 postseason moves along, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news from around the NHL and the hockey world.
