Rangers' Depth Concerns Loom Over Training Camp Optimism
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While the roster has been revamped, a lack of center depth and a volatile backup goaltender situation could leave New York vulnerable in a deep playoff run.
As the New York Rangers prepare for the 2026-27 campaign, there is a palpable sense of renewal surrounding the roster. However, as Sports Illustrated first reported, the team is skating on thin ice if they believe a revamped top end can mask glaring deficiencies in depth—holes that typically become chasms during the grind of a playoff series.
***Opinion: The Rangers are banking on a narrow margin of error. While the acquisition of new talent is promising, the lack of a safety net in the center position and the uncertainty behind Igor Shesterkin create a precarious foundation for a team with championship aspirations.***
General Manager Chris Drury has successfully bolstered the top six, bringing in Pavel Dorofeyev via trade from the Vegas Golden Knights to join Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, Alexis Lafreniere, and Gabe Perreault. While competition for the final top-six spot between free agent signings Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen, and Will Cuylle, provides luxury, the real concern lies further down the lineup.
With Vincent Trocheck no longer on the roster, the burden of the center position falls heavily on Zibanejad and Miller, both 33 years old. Sports Illustrated emphasizes that the organizational pipeline for centers is limited, meaning any injury to these two veterans could leave the Rangers without a viable replacement. Specifically, Miller is coming off a 2025-26 season marred by injuries; his ability to return to elite form is critical for the team's success.
The defensive corps appears more stable, featuring Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov as the top pair, followed by Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi. While the Rangers selected defenseman Alberts Smits with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the team may place him with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL, leaving the depth chart to be rounded out by Matthew Robertson and Braden Schneider.
In the crease, the backup job is a toss-up following the retirement of Jonathan Quick. Joonas Korpisalo, acquired from the Boston Bruins, is battling Dylan Garand for the No. 2 spot. Because Garand is no longer waiver-exempt, the Rangers risk losing him to another team if he is cut.
Head coach Mike Sullivan faces the challenge of integrating these new faces, but the structural reality remains: the Rangers are top-heavy. If the veteran core doesn't stay healthy and the depth pieces don't over-perform, the 'improved' look of the roster may not be enough to survive the attrition of the postseason.