The New York Rangers are preparing to continue their retool this summer. New York finished as the worst team in the Eastern Conference, with just 77 points on the year. Some players on this roster will be skating with new teams in 2026-27. Depending on how long the retool takes, stars such as Adam Fox could be out the door, as well.
Fox is a legitimate No. 1 defenseman and one of the best in the league. The former Norris Trophy winner has been noncommittal about his future with the Rangers to this point. On Friday, however, he did acknowledge some positive aspects of the organization that intrigue him.
“For me, it was just, we’re still in a unique situation,” Fox said, via The Athletic’s Vincent Z. Mercogliano. “Not many people have been through a retool letter and kind of what that means, so I think that’s kind of where the figuring out stuff was from.”
“It was never really about belief in the guys. It was just kind of direction and where it’s going. I think that’s where I was at. But obviously there’s been some promising signs of the possibilities of the kind of team we can be.”
The Rangers have made some big trades already as part of this retooling process. Artemi Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings this season. Before that, Jacob Trouba was sent to the Anaheim Ducks in 2024-25. Among those still on the team, the likes of Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad are expected to be on the trade block this summer.
Fox looks to be interested in remaining with the Rangers through this stage. Things will get worse before they get better. However, the Rangers captain is sticking by his teammates as they navigate a crucial offseason.
The New York Rangers are preparing to continue their retool this summer. New York finished as the worst team in the Eastern Conference, with just 77 points on the year. Some players on this roster will be skating with new teams in 2026-27. Depending on how long the retool takes, stars such as Adam Fox could be out the door, as well.