By: Dan Layton ‘25 – published in Fall 2024 Issue 2
As another season approaches in the National Hockey League, the three New York teams in the league are entering this season with high levels of expectation. The Rangers are looking to bring over their success from last season to this season. The Islanders are looking to return to the playoffs for the third straight year with a rejuvenated roster. And the Buffalo Sabres are looking to end the league’s longest playoff drought with a young and rising roster and a new head coach. With all of these teams showing great promise, New York hockey teams are in for a promising year.
New York Rangers – Additions: F Sam Carrick, F Reilly Smith; Losses: F Barclay Goodrow, F Alex Wennberg, F Jack Roslovic
Last year’s President Trophy winners didn’t make a whole lot of changes this offseason, but still have the same elite supporting cast led by forward Artemi Panarin, defenseman Adam Fox, and star goalie Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin still doesn’t have the new contract after turning down the largest goalie contract in NHL history, which leaves the question of will the Rangers get the contract done? Or let him test the market in free agency. Another player who is looking for a new contract is former number one overall pick Alexis Lafreniere, who is destined for a breakout year. Rumors have been circulating that Lafreniere will get a a contract extension as well. A player to look out for on the first line is Reilly Smith, who the Rangers traded for back in June from Pittsburgh. He looks to fill the right wing void that the Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad line have desperately needed for many years.
New York Islanders – Additions: F Anthony Duclair; Losses: D Sebastian Aho
The Islanders are coming off of their second straight playoff appearance, but they made a big signing in free agency this summer, signing forward Anthony Duclair. Duclair, who is coming off of a 42 point season with both San Jose and Tampa Bay, brings a much needed scoring presence for the Islanders. The Islanders finished last season with the 19th best power play and were 24th in even strength scoring in the entire National Hockey League, so they are hoping Duclair provides them with a big boost, along with guys like Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat A big question for the Islanders is if star goalie Ilya Sorokin can put the end of last season behind him and return to top form. Sorokin was benched during the opening round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes for backup Semyon Varlamov, who also remains on the team. Look out for Russian rookie Maxim Tsypalkov, who scored 50 points last season in Russia and found his way onto the preseason roster.
Buffalo Sabres – Adds: F Sam Lafferty, F Beck Malenstyn, F Jason Zucker, G James Reimer; Losses: F Zemgus Girgensons, F Victor Olofsson, F Jeff Skinner
Coming off of yet another year of missing the playoffs, the Buffalo Sabres made a big time hire by bringing in former Devils head coach Lindy Ruff. Ruff comes into Buffalo, looking to break the curse of 13 years without a playoff appearance, with a very talented roster led by defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Dahlin fits the scheme for Lindy Ruff by being a more offensively minded defenseman, which could definitely put him in the conversation for the Norris Trophy. Along with Dahlin, another star that is looking for a bounce back season is Tage Thompson. Thompson, who had some regression on offense last year due to a wrist injury, is looking to have a bounce back third season. The big question for the Sabres is the goaltending. Devon Levi has not lived up to the hype and was demoted to the backup over Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen. If the Sabres want to make the playoffs, they need to find some consistency in their goaltending, whether it would be from Levi or Lukkonen.
