The Athletic Hockey Show What to expect from Rangers Retool 2.0
Jan 19, 2026
Vince Mercogliano, a New York hockey reporter, dives into the Rangers' recent retool announced by GM Chris Drury. He discusses fan skepticism and the need for change, emphasizing potential trade candidates like Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. Vince highlights untouchable core players like Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin, while analyzing strategies for attracting suitable trade partners. The conversation also touches on the criticisms of past trades and the importance of improving the team's drafting and development processes.
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Bussey's Aggressive Style Matches Carolina System
- Jesse praises Brandon Bussi's aggressive, attacking style as a perfect fit for Carolina's pressure system.
- Bussi's one-on-one aggressiveness forces shooters into mistakes and complements Carolina's forecheck.
Fan Trust Has Eroded Quickly
- Rangers fans reacted skeptically to the new “retool” because the roster and pipeline look worse than when Chris Drury took over.
- Madison Square Garden crowds show unrest with empty seats and chants like “fire Drury.”
Retool Buys Time GM May Not Deserve
- Mark Lazerus argues a retool grants a GM years of patience but fans won't tolerate more failure.
- He believes a full teardown may be necessary because the current roster is old and stuck in no-man's land.