The roster of the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners remains largely intact. Reilly Smith and Sam Carrick are the new faces, and Zac Jones will move up to replace Erik Gustafsson among the top-six regular defensemen. Outside of Brennan Othmann wowing management and the coaches to force his way on to the roster, there’s not much room for change in the lineup.

But that doesn’t mean everything is exactly the same as it was one year ago at this time, just ahead of training camp.

Related: Rangers won’t get Igor Shesterkin under $10 million annually on next deal: NHL insider

5 things that are different for Rangers at 2024 training camp as opposed to last year

Let’s examine what is different year over year heading into Rangers training camp.

5. Benny’s role

For the first time in 20 consecutive training camps, Benoit Allaire is no longer the Rangers goalie coach. Allaire will be at training camp in his role as director of Rangers goaltending, but the actual nitty gritty of the day-to-day role will be handled by new goalie coach Jeff Malcolm.

How will this change things for Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick? And what about the up and comers, like Dylan Garand and Hugo Ollas?

Well, Malcolm was in the organization working for Hartford in the American Hockey League for several years before being promoted. So, it’s not like an outsider is coming in to replace Allaire. But can anyone really replace the “Goalie Whisperer” who helped Henrik Lundqvist reach the Hall of Fame and Shesterkin turn his season around last February? Not to mention helping Quick rejuvenate his career at age 37, and propel youngsters like Cam Talbot and Alexandar Georgiev to become NHL All-Stars?

It’ll be strange to see someone else in Allaire’s former role. And perhaps it won’t be fair to judge what’s different until the season rolls along and Allaire is not there problem solving on an everyday basis.

Related: Benoit Allaire’s greatness on display at 2024 NHL All-Star Game

4. Tempered expectations for Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil

A year ago, big things were expected from Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil. Two-thirds of the “Kid Line” were coming off career-best seasons in 2022-23 and seemed ready to take off as emerging young stars in the League.

Chytil, who scored 22 goals and totaled 45 points in 2022-23, had himself a top-six role on a line featuring Artemi Panarin in training camp. That lasted 10 games into the regular season before a concussion submarined all the big plans and expectations. Chytil didn’t return to the lineup until the Stanley Cup Playoffs, when he was clearly not up to speed yet and scoreless in six postseason games.

Now, he’s considered an injury risk, following multiple head-related issues in his career. Chytil will start camp on the third line with tempered expectations this season.

Kakko scored 18 goals and had 40 points with the Rangers in 2022-23. He, too, began last season in the top six, placed on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider in training camp.

Simply, that line failed to generate any consistent production once the regular season began. After Kakko sustained a knee injury that cost him 21 games, he was put on the third line, where he finished with 13 goals and 19 points. His disappointing lack of production continued in the playoffs, when Kakko scored one goal in 15 games, and was a healthy scratch in another.

After reportedly being on the trade block this offseason, Kakko enters camp expected to play a third-line role this season.

Related: Kaapo Kakko holds key to Rangers third-line success

3. Alexis Lafreniere is a star now

The third forward on the “Kids Line” was Alexis Lafreniere, and expectations weren’t so high for him entering 2023 training camp. In fact, there were many who wanted the Rangers to trade Lafreniere after three so-so seasons that followed his No. 1 overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft.

But coach Peter Laviolette also gave Lafreniere a top-six opportunity right away in camp. Unlike the misfortune that befell Kakko and Chytil, Lafreniere thrived and broke out with a 28-goal, 57-point season playing alongside Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. The 22-year-old then was a force in the playoffs and tied for the Rangers lead with eight goals in 16 postseason games.

His performance on the big stage in the playoffs confirmed Lafreniere to be among the sport’s rising young stars. The Athletic recently ranked Lafreniere No. 14 on a list of top NHL players and prospects under the age of 23. Expectations are now off the charts for Lafreniere, and he enters camp looking for his first 30-goal season and, perhaps, a shot at playing for Canada in the 4 Nations Tournament.

2. Perhaps last go-round in New York for Jacob Trouba, Ryan Lindgren

The Rangers top-four defensemen have been consistent for several years now. But both Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren enter this camp knowing it may be their final one with the Rangers.

Lindgren received a one-year, $4.5 million contract this offseason and can be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. Perhaps there would have been more traction for a long-term deal if the Rangers salary-cap picture weren’t so muddled moving forward. Or it could be that the Rangers are wary of Lindgren breaking down over the long term.

Either way, it sets Lindgren up for what could his final season on the top pairing with his good friend Adam Fox.

Then there’s Trouba, whom Rangers general manager Chris Drury wanted — and failed — to trade to free up cap space this offseason. He’s still got $8 million annually coming his way this season and next, but he’ll have fewer teams on his no-trade list next summer, so it’ hard to picture the captain back when training camp rolls around in September of 2025.

Should one or neither return next season, that makes this the final camp and season for what’s been a really good run in the top four.

1. Peter Laviolette enters second season as Rangers coach

The biggest change from this time a year ago is that Laviolette is settled into his role as Rangers coach. Last September, there were a whole host of questions about whether Laviolette was the right hire to coach this team and these players, following Gerard Gallant.

But he instilled a better defensive system, received the required buy-in from the players and guided the Rangers to the most wins (55) and points (114) in franchise history. He was spot-on with his Lafreniere plan and managed the team with a deft hand when it struggled for a month in January.

So, Laviolette has got plenty of cred on his side right now. And the players know what to expect on and off the ice from their coach, who is clearly liked and respected. Now, let’s see what changes Laviolette has in store from a year ago, or even from last spring in the playoffs, to get the Rangers over the hump and into their first Stanley Cup Final since 2014.

After 20 years as goalie coach with the Rangers, Allaire stepped aside from those day-to-day duties, though he remains Director of Goaltending for the organization. He was officially replaced as goalie coach last week by Jeff Malcolm, who worked under Allaire in the same position with Hartford of the American Hockey League for the past several seasons.

While the 60-year-old will remain with the organization, Allaire will no longer be with the team every day, ending a nearly unprecedented two-decades run of success in the Big Apple.

Since joining the Rangers, Allaire’s been one of the most well-respected teachers of hockey’s most crucial position, earning the nickname “The Goalie Whisperer.” He helped shape the careers of Vezina Trophy winners Henrik Lundqvist and Igor Shesterkin, developed once unheralded Rangers backups into bonafide NHL starters (see: Cam Talbot, Antti Raanta, and Alexander Georgiev), and most recently helped revitalize the previously sputtering career of three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Quick.

Related: Ranking where Rangers goalies stand among top NHL tandems

Benoit Allaire’s amazing 20-year run as ‘Goalie Whisperer’ with Rangers

Allaire’s incredible run of success will be a tough act for Malcolm to follow this season.

Let’s take a look at some of Allaire’s biggest hits since 2004.

Legend of Lundqvist

Lundqvist is the greatest goalie in Rangers history. And he played his entire NHL career with Allaire as his position coach.

He won the Vezina Trophy as top NHL goalie in 2011-12 and was a finalist four other times in his career, voted the runner-up in 2012-13. His No. 30 hangs in the rafters at Madison Square Garden — no Rangers player will ever wear it again.

Holding nearly every franchise goaltending record, Lundqvist’s line of work as the sixth winningest goalie in NHL history (459 wins) speaks for itself. A first-ballot Hockey Hall of Famer, you could make the argument that whoever had the pleasure of working alongside “The King” for 15 seasons in New York would benefit from his consistently elite play.

However, Lundqvist’s career began without much fanfare. Selected in the seventh round (No. 205 overall) in the 2000 NHL Draft, the Rangers took a chance on what they saw as untapped potential from the three-time Honken Trophy-winning goalie (Sweden’s Vezina equivalent) from Frolunda HC.

After arriving in New York in 2005, it was Allaire whom Lundqvist credited with tapping into that potential and creating the finished product that stood on the podium accepting election into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on his first year of eligibility last November.

“There’s one coach I want to thank a little extra tonight, my goalie coach for 15 years, Benoit Allaire,” said Lundqvist during his Hall of Fame induction speech. “He’s incredible. Thinking back, every day, you inspired me in so many ways and you made it fun. The best coach and best friend you could ask for.”

Statistical supremacy

While one could attempt to make the Belichick-Brady style argument regarding whether coach or player deserves more credit when it comes to Lundqvist, Allaire’s body of work beyond his star pupil solidifies his own case as a Hockey Hall of Famer, and demonstrates his incomparable impact in Rangers history.

Since his first full season on the Blueshirts’ staff in 2005-06 (no season in 2004-05 due to lockout), the organization has enjoyed a consistent place among the League’s top goaltending units year after year.

In 20 seasons with Allaire, the Rangers have finished within the top-10 in the NHL for goals-against average 13 times, including in the top-5 nine times, and top-3 three times. This includes a second place finish as a team with a 2.49 GAA in 2021-22.

Similarly, the Blueshirts have finished top-10 in save percentage 13 times, including top-5 eight times, and top-3 twice — finishing first in Shesterkin’s Vezina winning year of 2021-22 (.921).

In today’s world of advanced stats and analytics, Allaire’s ability to get the most out of his goalies is even more evident.

According to MoneyPuck.com, which began tracking analytics in the 2008-09 season, Rangers goaltenders has been top-10 in the League for Goals-Against Above Expected 12 different times, in the top-5 seven times, and top-3 once as the second best in the NHL with a whopping 22.38 goals-against below expected in 2009-10.

These rankings are similar when looking at save percentage above expected on unblocked shots as well, where the Rangers were top-10 12 times, including top-5 eight times and top-3 once — coming in second in 2009-10 with a 0.65 percent above expected.

In fact, there have been just three seasons in Allaire’s entire tenure when the Rangers were sub-average when it comes to these categories, and it all came between 2017-18 and 2020-21 in the immediate aftermath of “The Letter,” a self-imposed rebuild era. 

Benoit’s backups

With seven different head coaches behind the bench since Allaire’s arrival in New York, his reliable approach and consistent impact has allowed him to withstand six prior coaching changes.

On the ice, many Rangers backups who worked with Allaire have gone on to have stable careers as starters elsewhere. Most notably is Cam Talbot, whose play in 2014-15 helped carry the Rangers through a potentially disastrous stretch without Lundqvist, who sustained a vascular injury after being hit in the neck with a shot.

Talbot’s 34-21-9 record in 36 games that season helped the Rangers win the Presidents’ Trophy and propelled him into a starting role with the Edmonton Oilers the following season. He has since gone on to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, and most recently Los Angeles Kings. The two-time NHL All-Star who has 245 career wins and a lifetime .914 save percentage will play for the Detroit Red Wings this season.

Not bad for an undrafted free agent.

“If I didn’t sign with the Rangers out of college, I don’t know if I would have made it to the NHL,” Talbot told the Los Angeles Daily News in July 2023. “[Allaire] helped rebuild me, honed what skill I already had but also kind of took me back a little bit. I played a lot more like Jonathan Quick coming out of college than Henrik Lundqvist, so he kind of found that happy medium.”

Unheralded Steve Valiquette became a serviceable backup under Allaire’s guidance. Raanta was solid as a backup and then successfully took on a larger role with the Carolina Hurricanes. Georgiev was the first to replace Lundqvist in New York and is now the No. 1 for the Colorado Avalanche.

The common thread in their time with the Rangers? Benoit Allaire.

“[Allaire] deserves all the accolades,” Talbot told Forever Blueshirts at the 2024 NHl All-Star Game. “You see all the goalies he’s produced through the pipeline that spring-boarded to starting jobs around the NHL. It’s pretty crazy how many guys he’s been able to develop under Hank that moved on and became a No. 1 somewhere else.”

Related: Rangers goalies past, present shine on All-Star stage with Shesterkin, Talbot, Georgiev 

Quick revival

Allaire’s latest masterpiece was on display just this past season, as the previously dominant Quick was coming off a years-long slide from his All-Star form of the mid-2010s.

In 2022-23, the former Team USA Olympic starter finished at 16-15-6, with career lows in save percentage (.882) and goals-against average (3.41). In March 2023, he was shipped from his only NHL home in Los Angeles, and served third on the depth chart behind Adin Hill and Laurent Brossoit during the Vegas Golden Knights’ postseason run to the Stanley Cup.

With rumors swirling about the potential for retirement, the Milford, Connecticut, native joined his favorite childhood team on Broadway. With Allaire’s help, Quick turned back the clock to post an 18-6-2 record with a .911 save percentage and 2.62 GAA with the Blueshirts, his best showing in both categories since 2017-18. It earned him a one-year, $1.275 million contract extension before the 2023-24 campaign was even completed.

“[Allaire] does a great job of simplifying things so that they don’t come across in a confusing way,” Quick said in November. “It’s very clear-cut in what he wants to see out of his goalies in different situations. The communication’s been great.” 

Rise of The Czar

While Quick kept the Rangers afloat during Shesterkin’s mid-season struggles, the Blueshirts’ “Czar” eventually regained his form and finished 2023-24 at 36-17-2 with a respectable .913 save percentage and 2.58 GAA before elevating his game to backstop an incredible run to the Eastern Conference Final, when he was 10-6 with a .927 save percentage and 2.34 GAA during the postseason.

The turnaround in Shesterkin’s season came when he spent extra time working with Allaire around the NHL All-Star break. Shesterkin followed by playing his best and most consistent hockey the rest of the season.

Coincidence? Not likely.

Going from Lundqvist to Shesterkin shows just how spoiled the Rangers have been in goal over the past two decades, and Allaire has his fingerprints all over that success.

His ability to help goalies reach their potential and find their game during times of struggle is a major reason for the Blueshirts long-time prosperity at the position. His adaptability to different styles of goaltending is also key. As is his ever-present smile and cheerful approach to his job.

“[He’s helped me with] everything,” Shesterkin told The Athletic. “He can always find a way to help you. I still don’t speak English so good, so sometimes I don’t understand something. But he always finds a way to explain things to me, he always wants us to be having fun, smiling. When your mood is good, everything should be OK.”

That fun-loving style has given Rangers fans many reasons to smile as well over the years.

While Allaire may not desire the spotlight, largely staying behind the scenes to conduct his work, he has given numerous goaltenders the opportunity to steal the spotlight in their careers.

This can be traced back to even his pre-Rangers days, when Allaire helped turn Sean Burke, a Phoenix Coyotes goalie with a career .895 save percentage and 3.21 GAA over 500+ NHL games, into a Vezina Trophy finalist in consecutive seasons. Burke, himself, is now the Director of Goaltending for the Golden Knights.

It’s just part of Allaire’s lasting legacy. One that leaves a massive void and huge shoes for Malcolm to fill.

Malcolm, who has been part of the Rangers organization for six years, is a natural choice for the job. Despite being only 35 years old, his youth does not signify a lack of experience. Malcolm’s journey in professional hockey is deeply rooted in the Rangers organization.

Also Read:  5 alternate jerseys the New York Rangers should bring back

He spent four seasons playing within their system, splitting time between the AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack and the ECHL Greenville Road Warriors. In six years of coaching with the organization, he’s spent the last two as Goalie Coach for the Wolf Pack.

During that time, Malcolm worked closely with the Rangers’ departing goaltending coach, 60-year-old Benoit Allaire, who will now transition to the role of Goaltending Director. Brendan Burke is leaving his post as Goaltending Director for the Jr. Coyotes Youth Hockey Program and will take over as the Wolf Pack’s new goalie coach as a result of the move.

Rangers make Chris Kreider’s former Wolf Pack teammate new goalie coach

Malcolm is a good fit for the gig because he has plenty of experience with this group of players. He even played alongside Chris Kreider in the 2013-14 Wolf Pack season. Good chemistry will be important to create a seamless transition. 

The long-time coach also has first-hand experience with elite goaltending. Despite never scratching the Rangers’ NHL roster, Malcolm competed for ice time on the Wolf Pack with current Red Wings goalie and 2023-24 All-Star Cam Talbot.

Also Read: Former Rangers defenseman tells Hurricanes perspective of Kreider hat trick in Game 6

Despite these advantages, there is also a sense he is starting from scratch. After all, he didn’t become Goaltending Coach for the Wolf Pack until after Igor Shesterkin cemented his place on Broadway. Malcolm’s also never coached two-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Quick, which should be an interesting dynamic considering Quick is three years Malcolm’s senior.

Regardless, the Rangers hope that injecting a young (but seasoned) coach into the mix will help elevate their already spectacular goaltending tandem for the 2024-25 season.

NHL analyst Kevin Weekes, a former Rangers goalie himself, reported the possibility that Allaire will be taking a step back from his day-to-day duties as goalie coach just two hours after the Rangers season came to a bitter end with a 2-1 loss in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers.

The New York Post’s Mollie Walker confirmed the initial report on Sunday.

👀 From 2004 -2024, @NYRangers went from a valuation of $282M to now over $3B – Goalie Coach Benoit Allaire has had a major impact in that growth over those 20 yrs. I’m told there’s a chance he may scale back (he’s earned that right) , but I’d write a blank check to keep him ! pic.twitter.com/T0BNxcSx5M

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 2, 2024

Walker reports that Allaire, who just finished his 20th season with the organization, will remain with the Rangers as a director of goaltending, but “has opted to no longer serve as the club’s goalie coach on a day-to-day basis.”

Related: Rangers losing is hard, but winning is always harder

Benoit Allaire stepping down as Rangers goalie coach

Allaire has earned a reputation as one of the finest goalie gurus in the NHL, working closely with Henrik Lundqvist for all 15 years of his Hall of Fame career and now with Shesterkin, who won the 2022 Vezina Trophy with a 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage that ranks ninth all-time for NHL goalies in a single season.

Lundqvist praised Allaire as the best goalie coach in the NHL throughout his career and gave special thanks to him in his Hockey Hall of Fame induction speech.

#NYR Lundqvist on Allaire: "There's one coach I want to thank a little extra tonight, my goalie coach for 15 years, Benoit Allaire. He's incredible. Thinking back, every day, you inspired me in so many ways and you made it fun. The best coach and best friend you could ask for."

— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) November 14, 2023

Allaire is a potential Hall of Famer in his own right, having developed two of the best NHL goalies in the last two decades.

Per Walker, the decision to scale back his role was made by Allaire, who will assist the team in finding someone to take over daily duties next season.

It’s salt on the wound after a painful Eastern Conference Final exit that put a disappointing end to a magical Presidents’ Trophy season for the Blueshirts. Allaire’s prized pupil, Shesterkin, was New York’s best player in the series against the Panthers, finishing with a .935 save percentage.

But it wasn’t enough to get the Rangers nor Allaire to the Stanley Cup Final for only the second time since the goalie guru joined the organization in 2002.

And that, is a shame, for a coach who’s served the Rangers well for two decades.

The Rangers goalie coach helped develop current Blueshirts netminder Igor Shesterkin and fellow All-Stars Cam Talbot and Alexandar Georgiev.

“I didn’t even think about that, the three of us here who all worked under Benny,” Talbot told Forever Blueshirts. “I always say, had I not signed with the Rangers out of college I don’t think I would have ever made the NHL. I give so much credit to Benoit Allaire for developing me for three years in the minors first and then when I did get called up, to be really patient with me.”

Like Shesterkin, Talbot, now playing for the Los Angeles Kings, is a two-time All-Star. Georgiev, the Colorado Avalanche goalie, made his first All-Star appearance this weekend and won the one-on-one challenge during the skills competition Friday, taking home a check for $100,000. Impressively, Georgiev stopped nine of 11 breakaway shots by Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.

Related: Key Rangers storylines after 2024 NHL All-Star break

Rangers, goalie coach helped develop All-Stars Igor Shesterkin, Cam Talbot, Alexandar Georgiev

In a conversation with Forever Blueshirts, Georgiev acknowledged Allaire’s role in helping him become a No. 1 goalie in the NHL.

“Yeah, it’s incredible all of us here, and the respect he has in the League,” Georgiev said. “His understanding of the fundamentals are so sound and his positivity is a big thing. He creates a fun environment. It’s great, all the goalies that have had success under him, and I’m one of them.”

connor mcdavid got alexander georgiev for the one on one contest. pic.twitter.com/vVrNjJUva7

— zach (@zjlaing) February 3, 2024

Allaire is in his 20th season with the Rangers. He’s also been a goalie coach with the Phoenix Coyotes and Montreal Canadiens, counting Sean Burke, Nikolai Khabibulin and Brian Boucher as his success stories.

It’s in New York where Allaire has gained his biggest notoriety, though. Allaire coached Henrik Lundqvist for 15 seasons and is a big reason why Lundqvist was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023.

But Lundqvist is not the only Rangers goalie to have benefitted from Allaire’s expertise and upbeat personality, as evidenced by Shesterkin, Talbot and Georgiev sharing the spotlight here in Toronto this weekend.

Rangers goalie coach Benoit Allaire ‘deserves all the accolades’ for work with Henrik Lundqvist, others

“He deserves all the accolades,” Talbot said. “You see all the goalies he’s produced through the pipeline that springboarded to starting jobs around the NHL. It’s pretty crazy how many guys he’s been able to develop under Hank that moved on and became a No. 1 somewhere else.”

Talbot was not selected in the NHL Draft, so the odds were stacked against him. But he developed quickly in the minors and then helped the Rangers reach the 2014 Stanley Cup Final by posting a 1.64 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in 21 games as Lundqvist’s rookie backup.

The following season, Talbot had increased playing time when Lundqvist was injured. He was 21-9-4 with a 2.21 GAA and .926 save percentage and helped the Rangers win the Presidents’ Trophy. He went on to become the No. 1 in Edmonton and now, at age 36, remains a top goalie in the League.

And Talbot still appreciates what Allaire did for him and his career more than a decade ago.

“He just sees the game from such a different perspective. And he’s just so positive and fun to play for,” Talbot explained. “Even if you have a bad game, he won’t show you the goal against. He’ll show you video of you doing that same exact thing the right way and making the save. That positive reinforcement just makes it so easy to play for him.”

There's no overtime winner if there's no Igor Shesterkin.

🚫 pic.twitter.com/DAbEofKcKT

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 24, 2023

Shesterkin and Georgiev will always be linked to each other and Allaire. Though Georgiev, undrafted like Talbot, arrived first on Broadway in 2017-18, it was Shesterkin who emerged as the heir apparent to Lundqvist. In 2021-22, Shesterkin became the second Rangers goalie (along with Lundqvist) to win the Vezina Trophy under Allaire’s tutelage. This weekend, Shesterkin helped Team Matthews win the All-Star game with some masterful work between the pipes.

“Igor was great,” coach Peter Laviolette said.

Georgiev’s final season in New York was the same as Shestekin’s Vezina campaign. He was traded to the Avalanche and has started more games than any NHL goalie since.

Looking back on that time when he was behind Shesterkin on the Rangers’ depth chart, Georgiev said simply, “We’re both professionals and that’s the situation that happened. Do my job, be a good teammate. … I try not to look in the past too much.”

Georgiev was more expansive when discussing Lundqvist’s Hall of Fame induction and what it was like to play alongside him from 2017-20.

“He’s one of the better hockey players in the history of the game,” Georgiev explained. “Coming into the League, he was my partner and my competition at the same time, so you try not to raise him up to a pedestal, but I’m so happy for him getting all the credit he deserves now, having had such a great career. … I learned so much from him, especially how hard he always worked in practice.”

Shesterkin benefitted from watching Lundqvist at the end of his career. And he’s thriving under Allaire. 

The 28-year-old is 118-54-16 in 190 NHL games with a 2.46 GAA and .920 save percentage. When he won the season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Shesterkin became the fastest goalie to 100 wins in Rangers history (159 games) and just the seventh all-time in the NHL to reach that number in fewer than 160 games (Bill Durnan, Michel Larocque, Frank Brimsek, Bob Froese, Chris Osgood and Tiny Thompson).

Shesterkin sparkled under the spotlight here this weekend. But he shared it, as well, with two former Rangers goalies, while their mentor likely was watching from afar.

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has made several changes to its hockey operations department. Benoit Allaire has been promoted to Director of New York Rangers Goaltending, and Jeff Malcolm has been promoted to Hartford Wolf Pack Goaltending Coach. In addition, Jean-Ian Filiatrault joins the Rangers’ player development department as Goaltending Consultant, and Matt Hunwick also joins the hockey operations’ player development department.

New York Rangers

Benoit Allaire promotion and other organizational changes

Allaire has been with the Rangers for the last 17 years. He was named to the staff as the goalie coach back in the summer of 2004 and helped Henrik Lundqvist become one of the game’s greats. As the the team’s new Director of Goaltending, he will oversee the development of all goalies in the organization. That will include the NHL level, where he will be based and continue as head goalie coach, as well as the AHL and ECHL.

With the promotion, comes help. Both Malcolm and Filiatrault will report up to Allaire. Malcom, served as Hartford’s goalie consultant and will expand on that role under Allaire. Filiatrault will be Allaire’s assistant in the development of all Rangers goalie prospects here and abroad.

Hunwick who played for the Rangers in the 2014-15 season will join Jed Ortmeyer’s group and assist on player development. The team also included former Rangers tough guy Tanner Glass and Tuomo Ruutu.

Dave Hakstol named Seattle Kraken coach

The Seattle Kraken know how to do things in style. An intro video was kicked off by Ron Francis to announce Dave Hakstol as their first head coach. After it was done Hakstol remarked, “Awesome introduction!”

“This is a dream that has come true,” he said. “An awesome opportunity.”

For more on this story, click here.

Henrik Lundqvist is going to face a really difficult decision this season. What hat to wear on the bench tonight? Nope. When he should finally deal with the gray in his beard? Nope.

No, Hank is going to face possibly the ultimate decision in sports: team or self. With Igor Shesterkin getting recalled from Hartford, Lundqvist will have to truly consider how the future of his career will play out (or not play out).

The Veteran

In an interview with Rangers beat writer Vince Mercogliano, Lundqvist noted that he wouldn’t be super comfortable taking on a mentor role to Shesterkin. Despite the young netminder noting that he idolized Hank growing up, the aging veteran goalie is more focused on his own game at this point in time.

It is very obvious from this response that Lundqvist is well aware of what is transpiring. As Forever Blueshirts editor Zak Chiger, noted, Lundqvist sees the writing on the wall. The goalie room is now very crowded for the Rangers and they may roll with three goalies for quite a bit of time, but that remains to be seen.

However, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that the organization would obviously love to create a goaltender tandem of Shesterkin and Georgiev as the rebuild continues its sprint toward the finish line and into the new era. And based on the early returns, that duo could be a heck of a one-two punch.

Unfortunately, with Lundqvist still under contract for the rest of this season and next, there simply isn’t room. There is no doubt that Shesterkin will be with the club next season, barring any major slip in play.

Georgiev Trade?

The rumors have been swirling for months regarding if/when a Georgiev trade may occur. This is still the most likely option going forward, however, this is where Hank has to think thoroughly.

He has noted that he wants to retire a Ranger, so I do not see him requesting a trade, nor do I see the Rangers shopping the future Hall-of-Famer, who will have his number hanging from the rafters of Madison Square Garden as soon as he retires.

So does he do what is best for the team he loves so dearly, who he has given his heart and soul to for a decade and a half? Or does he focus on his personal career and his play? This is the question.

Prior to the season, I did not think there would be a real possibility that Lundqvist would retire. However, these sentiments have changed after recent events. He knows what is happening within the organization and he sees the uber-talented young netminders beside him.

If he were to hang up the skates after this season, thus ending a truly magnificent career, he would be helping the Rangers out tremendously. The team would be able to extend Georgiev – potentially as it’s 1B goalie – with Shesterkin as 1A. Again, what a combo this would be.

But if Lundqvist decides he wants to finish what he started and play out the remainder of his contract, the Blueshirts would have to trade Georgiev at the deadline. Keeping all three simply isn’t an option because they would run the risk of Shesterkin activating his European Assignment Clause to head back oversees.

If Georgiev is traded, Lundqvist would split time with Shesterkin for a season, with the workload dependent on who is playing well. Hank would likely then retire and the Rangers would have to either sign a free agent backup goalie, or see what they have in prospects Adam Huska, Tyler Wall, or Olof Lindbom. This option is a bit more dangerous, as we already know how good Georgiev has been for the Rangers and under Benoit Allaire.

Time Sensitivity

What makes this more complicated is that Lundqvist would need to make his decision to retire or not retire soon, like before the trade deadline. If the Rangers trade Georgiev and then Lundqvist decides to retire, that would be a disaster. That is the worst-case scenario. I understand it is a ridiculously difficult decision, but again, it is easy to see that ideally the Rangers would love to keep Georgiev. If this scenario were to happen it would really sting the Rangers a bit. But the risk of this happening is not worth forgoing an opportunity to trade Georgiev.

So that’s where we are. A crowded goalie room and an even more crowded cloud of uncertainty. All we know right now is that Igor is here and the rebuild has taken its next step.

It is not the end of the world if the Rangers trade Georgiev, leaving them to find another good backup once Lundqvist retires. But Lundqvist clearly sees the writing on the wall and is uncomfortable with a mentor role, but loves this team too much to hurt it or retire elsewhere. Therefore, despite the gallons of tears I and many others would shed, I believe Henrik Lundqvist deciding to retire at the end of this season, and informing management of that decision before the deadline, is the best possible scenario for the future of this rebuild and New York Ranger goaltending.

The New York Post published an interesting story on Rangers legend Mike Richter and his stance on when “The King” will be less king-like. The facts are the facts and Henrik Lundqvist is getting older. Nobody can beat father time, and eventually, it catches up to all of us. Have we seen the best of the Hank? Probably. Does he still have enough in the tank for when the Rangers complete their rebuild? Absolutely.

Contractually, Lundqvist will be a part of the Rangers until the end of the 2020-21 season. By that time, the first-round selections of this season could already be established with the Rangers. The young kids of now will be two years older and have enough experience to come into their own.

The cause for concern with Lundqvist is the shakiness he showed last season. He is statistically getting worse and it can visually be seen. Sure, the defense was a huge issue last season, but at the same time, there were some soft shots that found its way across the goal line.

His skills are dulling and his shine as a top goaltender is flickering. But, he can still be a valuable piece of this rebuild and possibly beyond.

Lundqvist now sits at 36 years of age, so the time is dwindling down until he has to hang up the pads. I would like to see Hank keep going after 2021, but I don’t think it will happen.

He will be 38 during his last season under contract, rapidly gravitating toward 40. There have been some select goalies that have succeeded after reaching “the 40-year-old hill”. Dominik Hasek, Dwayne Roloson, and Martin Brodeur each played some games while being apart of the 40-and-over club.

The only way I see Lundqvist giving age 39 and/or 40 a shot, is if the Rangers are bona fide contenders by then. Meaning, they are atop of the Metro division in 2021, don’t get bounced in the first-round and have enough talent to make a deep playoff runs in consecutive seasons. Henrik Lundqvist is one of the most competitive hockey players in the game’s history, and he will do anything to win a championship in New York.

Future Talent

Under Lundqvist are two very highly touted goalie prospects for the Rangers future in Alexandar Georgiev and Igor Shestorykin.

Georgiev showed time backing up Hank last season in reputable fashion. I have advocated for his stay as the Rangers backup for these rebuilding seasons. With the previous point made, Hank is gonna need some more time off. This season must be split between Hank and Georgiev to make sure the Rangers can get the most out of Lundqvist.

Shestorykin is still a little way off from coming to the United States, as he is slated to at least appear in the KHL in 2018-19. Even so, if a sophomore slump were to occur with Georgiev, Shestorykin would be the next man up.

It’s All Up To Him

It’s all up to Henrik Lundqvist. As big of a competitor that he is, I could imagine the number one voice in deciding to bench him more would be Hank.

Another powerful voice in that conversation will be Benoit Allaire. Allaire, who has been with Lundqvist for the entirety of his NHL career, will be leaned on heavily by new head coach David Quinn. No one in the Rangers organization knows Henrik Lundqvist better than Allaire.

The time is ticking on winning a cup for Henrik Lundqvist. At 36, and the mindset of this organization in a rebuilding process, the cards have been stacked against “The King” now more than ever. This next season will be a trial of what this team can or can’t be, and despite all of the upcoming prospects ready to take the reigns from Rangers past, a large question remains in goal.

Is it time for “The King” to be dethroned?

With the NHL Draft over, it’s time for the Rangers to evaluate their prospects at their week-long prospects development camp.

This was the first chance for the entire organization to see their young assets in action before the 2018-19 season. 2018 first-rounders Vitaly Kravtsov, K’Andre Miller, and Nils Lundkvist were all on the ice today looking to prove their value to the Rangers.

Vitaly Kravtsov

Though not at NHL speed, Kravtsov showed everyone some of his smooth hands that earned him KHL Rookie of the Year honors.

Kravtsov seems to be eager to come to North America, but he still has another year left on his KHL contract. Unless the contract is bought out, Kravtsov is likely to return to Russia. Jeff Gorton said to the media after today’s on-ice activities that it is a tough decision to make, especially if Kravtsov can continue playing well in Europe. “Do we leave him over there to develop or should we put him on a smaller sheet of ice now and under our control, wherever that may be, English, all of that that goes into it. A lot of different factors go into this one. It’s a little too premature, I know his agent is coming out here at the end of the week and we will go from there.”

K’Andre Miller

The Rangers traded up to draft the forward-turned-defenseman at 22^nd overall and Miller has come into this camp eager to show that he was worth the trade. Gorton said that the team was attracted to him for being “the whole package.” But perhaps even more important is the way he has adapted to his new position in a short amount of time. “With K’Andre it’s that he is just learning a new position and has so well so early is what really attracted everyone to him. Like I mentioned at the draft, his upside is really good and there is a lot of it and we don’t really know how far he can push it. It’s going to be exciting where he can take it.”

Nils Lundkvist

As mentioned above, the soon to be 18-year-old will be headed back to his native Sweden to continue his development. Lundkvist has already played in the top Swedish league, so he should keep playing against top-level competition. Gorton added that there seems to be a pattern with young Swedes. “If you look at the track record of younger players in Sweden, sometimes it’s best for them to stay over there. He was in the elite league already and that is the best course for him, he played a lot of minutes, is one of the younger guys who actually played a lot of minutes. We are encouraged with where he is at and going.”

Other Prospects

This development camp isn’t just about the 2018 first-round picks. Second-round pick Olof Lindbom said he is, of course, familiar with Rangers goaltender and countryman Henrik Lundqvist. Unfortunately for Lindbom, the goaltending legend didn’t reach out to him, but another current Rangers player, Jesper Fast, did. Longtime Rangers goaltending guru Benoit Allaire will have his hands full during this camp, as the Rangers have Lindbom, Adam Huska, and Tyler Wall all in attendance.

20-year-old prospect Brett Howden, who was acquired along with Libor Hajek in the trade with Tampa Bay for Ryan McDonagh and JT Miller, is confident that he will make the jump to the professional ranks from Juniors.

Hajek was also very confident in his abilities, adding a similar sentiment to Howden.

“I believe I will make it this year. That’s my goal. I feel strong, I feel I’m ready. I don’t want to (sound) selfish, but I just believe in myself and yeah, I want to make it this year.” Rick Carpiniello/The Athletic

Ryan Lindgren, who the Rangers signed as an NCAA free-agent, also made an appearance at the player development camp. Like Howden and Hajek, Lindgren is certain that his game could help him make the opening night roster, and that his mindset is to still be with the Blueshirts come October.

Jeff Gorton discussed his plethora of top prospects, saying “There are a lot of young players there, a lot to digest. It suggests that our future is bright and we have a lot of good players. When you talk to other teams around the league and GMs are telling you about it’s good and makes you feel good about where you are going.”

Editor’s Note: Unless marked otherwise, all quotes were taken from here

It is officially the offseason in the National Hockey League, despite our beloved New York Rangers being off for the last two months, but who’s counting. It is now time to dive into what this team may look like come October.

With Ondrej Pavelec becoming a UFA this offseason, his place on the Rangers roster doesn’t seem likely. Especially with the availability of some top goalie talent in KHL star Igor Shestyorkin, possibly Adam Huska and last year’s notable backup Alexandar Georgiev, the aging Pavelec should not be brought back by Jeff Gorton.

For this upcoming season, I believe the best available netminder to back up Henrik Lundqvist will be Georgiev. Again this is for next season. Over the long haul, it may come down to a duel between Georgiev and Shestyorkin.

I have expressed in the past that Georgiev should be the rebuilds backup. One, two or however many seasons it takes to return to being a Stanley Cup contender, behind the King should be Georgiev.

Success As An NHL Backup

In ten appearances last season, including nine starts, Georgiev proved to be a viable backup goaltender behind Lundqvist. He held a record of 4-4-1, allowing 3.15 goals against, and accumulating a .918 save percentage.

In five of those ten games in net, the Bulgarian native stopped 35 or more pucks. He faced constant pressure and showed the ability to hold his own as a 22-year-old in his rookie season.

Learning from Lundqvist and his guru, coach Benoit Allaire, is a recipe for success for Georgiev. Giving the kid room to improve behind Lundqvist in a rebuilding year with a nearly entirely new coaching staff should be considered. What is the worst that can happen?

He Is Ready To Go

The aforementioned Igor Shestyorkin and Adam Huska are other notable names for the backup role. However, Shestyorkin won’t be coming to North America for at least another year, and Huska is still at UConn. When will they get their opportunity to play at MSG is anyone’s guess.

Shestyorkin has been a brick wall in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg. His past two seasons have been outstanding in all aspects of the word. In 2017-18, he went 20-4-4 and allowed a measly 1.70 goals against, and boasted the sixth-best save percentage in the league at .933%.

Shestyorkin is slated to remain with SKA at least for 2018-19, despite the amazing numbers. Whether something changes during the summer, his arrival in New York doesn’t seem likely for at least a little while.

As Larry Brooks of the New York Post wrote back in April, this top prospect in the Rangers system is staying in Russia for the time being.

“Blueshirts’ goaltending prospect Igor Shestyorkin played a sum of 59 seconds in relief for SKA in the playoffs, but according to a well-placed source, “There is no chance,” the 22-year-old would be allowed to leave the KHL for New York before the end of his contract that runs through next season.”

Georgiev Deserves The Chance

Let him learn behind the best in the game. Let him learn through the worst of times to make an impact when the Rangers come out of this rebuild. New coach, new staff and a lot of unanswered questions on this roster will be looked at all summer long; but with Lundqvist and Georgiev, they can focus on the guys playing in front of them.