10 key moments that shaped New York Rangers first month of 2024-25 season
The New York Rangers just wrapped up the first month of the 2024-25 NHL season, when they posted a 6-2-1 record after starting out 5-0-1. They won their first four road games to start the season, tying a franchise record.
Over the course of October there were many key moments, wins, losses, and standout players that shaped the Rangers’ first month of the season.
Let’s take a look.
Related: Rangers valuation jumps 33 percent from last season
Victor Mancini makes team out of training camp
One of the most pleasant surprises so far has been rookie defenseman Victor Mancini. The 22-year-old forced his way on to the opening-night roster through his impressive play in training camp and the preseason, taking advantage of an opening created by Ryan Lindgren’s jaw injury. He had four points (one goal, three assists) in October, playing eight of New York’s nine games on the third defense pair. The Michigan native fittingly scored his first NHL goal Oct. 17 in Detroit against the Red Wings.
Mancini averaged 15:36 TOI and played a smart two-way game. After the Rangers assigned Chad Ruhwedel to Hartford of the American Hockey League, Mancini remained on the roster even after Lindgren returned from injury.
Igor Shesterkin turns down $88 million contract
This was not the news that Rangers fans wanted to hear just days before the start of the regular season. Knowing that Igor Shesterkin won’t engage in contract extension talks during the season, Chris Drury and Co. put a deal in place before the season opener to make him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history, an eight-year, $88 million contract offer worth $11 million annually. Shesterkin wasted no time rejecting that offer, reportedly seeking between $12-13 million per season on his next massive deal.
Shesterkin can become an unrestricted free agent at the age of 29 once this season is over. So far, Shesterkin has proved his worth. He has a 4-2-1 record, a .923 save percentage, 2.43 GAA, and one shutout, standout numbers considering how woeful the Rangers have played defensively at times this season.
Rangers blank Penguins in season opener
In terms of ways to open up a season, there isn’t much more the Rangers could have asked for than a 6-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins to get things started. Shesterkin made 29 saves in a relatively easy night, and Chris Kreider (2), Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil, Vincent Trocheck, and Sam Carrick all got on the score sheet.
Artemi Panarin off to a blazing start
The 120-point scorer is back at it again this season. Artemi Panarin got off to a blazing start with six goals and six assists in New York’s first five games, making him an early Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy candidate. In the nine games played in October, Panarin scored six goals and finished with 15 points, averaging 20:42 TOI for the Rangers. He had at least one point in the first eight games.
Filip Chytil nets two in dominant win over Montreal Canadiens
One of the biggest storylines heading into this season was the health and ability of Filip Chytil. After a month of play, it’s safe to say that Chytil is at the top of his game, and any health issues from the past are not slowing him down this season, providing the Rangers with valuable depth in their top-nine forward group.
In New York’s dominating 7-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 22, Chytil scored two goals. He had four goals and three assists for seven points in nine October games, and was a team-best plus-11. His third line with Kaapo Kakko and Will Cuylle was on ice for 10 even-strength goals in October (nine at 5v5) and zero against.
Alexis Lafreniere signs 7-year contract extension
In one of his best moves as general manager of the Rangers, Drury signed Lafreniere to a massive seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension. This locks Lafreniere up through the 2031-32 season, when he’ll be just 30 years old. It looks like a bargain at $7.45 million annually with Lafreniere’s star on the rise in the NHL.
The extension comes at a perfect time, since Lafreniere broke out last season with 28 goals and 57 points. He’s had a good start to this season, scoring four goals and eight points in nine games, nearly a point-per-game pace. At that rate, Drury would’ve had to cough up more cash had he waited to get this contract done.
Rangers deja vu against defending Stanley Cup Champions
The Oct. 24 game against the Florida Panthers was the first big test of the season for the Rangers. Unfortunately, they did not pass. The Rangers lost 3-1 at home, and got a serious case of deja vu from the Panthers eliminating them in the Eastern Conference Final last spring. The Panthers owned the puck, were more more physical and appeared hungrier than the Rangers. Sound familiar?
This was also New York’s first regulation loss of the season since they had a season-opening points streak of six games (5-0-1). The first sour note of an otherwise great start to the season.
Jonathan Quick has vintage performance in win over Anaheim Ducks
If there was any question about Jonathan Quick’s ability at age 38, he put it to bed with a vintage performance in a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 26. Quick made 32 saves to improve to 2-0-0 on the season, picking up right were he left off last season and showing once again that signing him to a one-year extension was the right move.
Matt Rempe gets sent down and recalled from AHL Hartford
This is a storyline certainly worth keeping an eye on. Matt Rempe was sent down to Hartford of the AHL in order to get some playing time, which he did for two games. Rempe logged big minutes and played in all situations for the Wolf Pack before the popular foward was recalled to play against the Washington Capitals on Oct. 29.
That performance could have gone better, to say the least. Rempe got in to a fight with Dylan McIlrath on his first shift, which he did not exactly win, and did not have much of an impact in the game after that. It will be interesting to see how Rempe is deployed, or if he stays with the Rangers at all, once Jimmy Vesey returns from a stint on LTIR.
Rangers end month with dud against Washington Capitals
Unfortunately for the Rangers, they ended the month of October with their worst performance to date. They lost 5-3 to the Capitals on Oct. 29, and it was only that close thanks to Shesterkin’s 41-save performance. Aside from that, New York was outshot 46-19, and outplayed in just about every area of the ice.
This one was an erase and move on type of performance, as the Rangers get set for a 14-game slate in the month of November.
More About:New York Rangers News