The New York Rangers made a ton of headlines this past summer. They signed marquee free agent Artemi Panarin, acquired Jacob Trouba via trade from Winnipeg, fetched top college prospect Adam Fox from Carolina, and drafted Kaapo Kakko with the No. 2 selection.
They were expected to contend this season as a result. Not for a Stanley Cup, but rather a playoff spot in a somewhat mediocre Metro Division.
It’s still early, of course, but the first few weeks of the season suggest even sniffing a Wild Card spot might be a stretch.