Rangers Climbing Power Rankings, But Depth Concerns Loom
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A slight bump in the standings doesn't mask the fragility of a roster currently leaning on a few stars and waiver claims.
The New York Rangers are currently experiencing the volatile nature of the 2026-27 NHL season. After a strong 6-2-0 start, the team suffered a collapse, sliding through a 1-5-1 stretch characterized by several blowout losses. As Sports Illustrated first reported, the club is now attempting to recapture that early momentum, but the path forward remains precarious.
There are signs of life. Sports Illustrated reports that the Rangers have begun to climb the NHL power rankings compiled by Dom Luszczyszyn and Sean Gentille of The Athletic. After hitting a low of No. 20 last week, New York has risen to No. 18. This ascent puts them above the Toronto Maple Leafs at No. 21 and the Detroit Red Wings at No. 22, as well as the New York Islanders, who dropped from No. 14 to No. 19.
Recent results have fueled this uptick. The Rangers recently secured wins over the Philadelphia Flyers (3-2) and the St. Louis Blues (3-1), though Sports Illustrated notes that both opponents are currently lower in the rankings, with St. Louis sitting at No. 24 and Philadelphia at No. 30. While these victories provide a confidence boost heading into a four-game road trip against Western Conference opponents, the underlying issues are glaring.
**OPINION:** The Rangers are essentially skating in circles. While moving from No. 20 to No. 18 looks like progress on a spreadsheet, it is a marginal gain that masks a dangerous lack of depth. If the front office doesn't shore up the roster before the trade deadline, they are courting another early playoff exit. You cannot build a championship run on the backs of a few hot streaks and waiver-wire luck.
The roster's current reliance on specific individuals is a liability. Adam Fox remains a cornerstone, recording 21 points through 17 games, but the goaltending situation is a crisis. Sports Illustrated reports that the team is struggling without star goalie Igor Shesterkin, leaving Dylan Garand to carry nearly the entire load in net.
There have been unexpected successes, however. Tye Kartye, whom the team claimed off waivers from the Seattle Kraken in late February, has become an indispensable asset, playing on the second line, the second power-play unit, and the penalty kill. Additionally, Pavel Dorofeyev is finding his rhythm, recording a point in six of his last seven games.
Despite these individual contributions and an improved home record at Madison Square Garden—where they have already logged eight wins—the Rangers are a team of extremes. They can dominate at home but are vulnerable to the kind of injuries and slumps that defined their mid-season dip. Without significant reinforcements, the current climb in the power rankings is merely a temporary reprieve.