Rangers could have 2 new-look challengers next season

Though the New York Rangers should certainly remain in contention to win the Metropolitan Division next season, two teams that didn’t qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season could provide some challenges, on varying levels, in 2024-25.

That would be the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers. One appears to be on a return path to serious contention and the other could be ready to take the next step back to the playoffs for the first time in five seasons.

The Rangers will return by and large the same roster that helped them win the Presidents’ Trophy last season with a franchise-record 55 wins and 114 points. They’ve added forwards Reilly Smith and Sam Carrick, subtracted defenseman Erik Gustafsson and forwards Barclay Goodrow, Jack Roslovic, Alex Wennberg and Blake Wheeler. The core remains intact, so the Rangers remain the team to beat in the division.

But the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders appear vulnerable, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are getting older and have missed the playoffs two straight seasons. The Columbus Blue Jackets reside in the basement of the division and the Washington Capitals snuck into the playoffs last season only to be swept by the Rangers in the first round, though they improved their roster this offseason.

That leaves the Devils and Flyers as two teams to watch in 2024-25, and beyond.

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Rangers must take notice of Devils, Flyers in 2024-25

The Devils addressed their biggest weakness from last season by acquiring veteran goalie Jacob Markstrom in a trade with the Calgary Flames. Markstrom will provide a huge boost in the crease for New Jersey, which just tied for the fourth-most goals against in the NHL last season (281).

The Devils did not stop there. They signed two key defensemen in free agency, which should make their D-core more complete around veteran Dougie Hamilton and youngsters Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec. First, they signed Brett Pesce to a six-year deal. Pesce entered free agency as one of the most sought-after defenseman after making a name for himself in Carolina as an excellent shut-down defender The Devils also signed Brenden Dillon to a three-year deal. He will bring a rugged element and is another defenseman who averages close to 20 minutes per game.

New Jersey added Stefan Noesen, Tomas Tatar, and Paul Cotter, adding depth to their forward group, which already featured stars Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier.

It isn’t crazy to picture the Rangers and Devils battling for first in the division this season. Remember, it was only two seasons ago the Devils set a franchise record for most points (112) and defeated the Rangers in seven games in the first-round of the playoffs. Last season’s 31-point drop off could be the outlier for what, on paper, appears to be one the best teams in the League.

The Flyers improved by 12 points to 87 last season and were a surprise team in the NHL, missing the playoffs by four points because of a late swoon. They’re not in the same league as the Rangers and Devils, but it’s not hard to imagine that they could take the next step and become a playoff team in 2024-25.

Though they have not been incredibly busy this offseason, there is a lot to be excited about in the Flyers organization, especially with “Michkov Mania” taking over the City of Brotherly Love.

After being selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Matvei Michkov was not expected to make the transition to North America for at least three years, since he was under contract in the KHL. However, the highly-skilled 19-year-old forward got his release this spring, signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers and arrived in North America this week.

That speeds up the rebuild quite a bit for a Flyers team that already has good young talent making some noise in the NHL. There’s Jamie Drysdale (22) and Cam York (23) on defense, Owen Tippett (25), Joel Farabee (24), Bobby Brink (23) and Tyson Foerster (22) up front and Sam Ersson (24) in goal. Plus this will be the first full NHL season for goalie Ivan Fedotov (27), and Travis Konecny (27) just signed a long-term contract extension.

And now they have Michkov, two years earlier than expected and already one of the favorites to win the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

After holding the No. 3 spot in the division for nearly all of last season, the Flyers lost nine of their last 11 contests, missing out on a postseason berth. They could take a step back since they won’t surprise anyone this coming season, but it’s more likely they are even better.

One thing is certain, with the Devils and Flyers on the way up, the Rangers and the rest of the Metropolitan Division must take notice and understand that it is deeper this season than last season.

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