Rink Rap | A New York Rangers Podcast from Forever Blueshirts

It's the dog days of August, but Jim Cerny isn't taking a week off. Flying solo this week (with a Banff vacation on the horizon), Cerny opens with a personal story from his early broadcasting days with the Islanders before diving into the meat of the show: a full breakdown of the Rangers' training camp roster crunch.With only four preseason games this year, Cerny explains why fans shouldn't panic if top prospects don't make the opening night roster. Using Noah Laba's 2024 breakthrough as a blueprint, he walks through the cases of Liam Greentree, EJ Emery, Albert Schmidt, and Adam Sykora, and explains how waiver exemptions and one-year "placeholder" veteran signings like Oliver Bjorkstrand and Joey Velleno give the organization flexibility to develop young players on their own timeline rather than forcing them onto the NHL roster too early.He also digs into Matt Rempe's path back after a season disrupted by a hand injury, why Rempe (not being waiver-exempt) has an edge in the fourth-line battle, and how the bottom six could shake out among Rempe, Sykora, Tychonick, and Taylor Raddish.The show closes with a look at the growing fan chatter around "tanking" for a shot at Connor McDavid in 2028 free agency, why Cerny thinks that's a flawed long-term strategy, but also why the dream isn't entirely unrealistic given McDavid's age, cap trajectory, and history of taking less money to stay competitive.Chapters:0:00 — Intro, solo show, Michael Del Zotto teaser for a future episode3:00 — Banff trip teaser and a throwback Calgary story from Cerny's Islanders broadcasting days13:45 — Training camp overview: four preseason games, September 29 opener14:20 — Why it's OK if Greentree, Bodwin, or Schmidt don't make the opening roster15:00 — The Noah Laba blueprint: how he earned his spot last year19:00 — Fewer preseason games means tougher, faster decisions this year22:00 — Oliver Bjorkstrand signing as a "placeholder" veteran option27:30 — The Matt Rempe question: fourth-line spot, waiver status, and his under-the-radar offseason38:30 — Battle for the final bottom-six/13th forward spot: Sykora, Tychonick, Rempe41:00 — Albert Schmidt and the case for patience with 18-year-old prospects46:15 — Fan chatter: should the Rangers "tread water" for Connor McDavid in 2028?52:00 — Cap math on what a McDavid contract could look like in 2028

Hart Levine, founder of PuckPedia, joins Jim Cerny on the Rink Rap podcast to break down the rapidly rising NHL salary cap, the evolving free-agency market, the real impact of offer sheets, and the New York Rangers’ critical upcoming decisions on Gabe Perreault, Will Cuylle, and Braden Schneider.They also dig into the Pavel Dorofeyev contract, why teams are shifting toward shorter deals, how the end of the flat-cap era is changing player leverage, and the danger of the “mushy middle” for the Rangers as they try to retool.If you care about Rangers cap strategy, NHL contracts, offer sheets, or the future of free agency, this is essential listening.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro0:48 – Hart Levine joins1:39 – Origin story of PuckPedia (2018)3:16 – How the site exploded after the competition folded5:38 – “Welcome to the league” moments & recognition from teams/agents11:22 – Wild offseason & free-agency trends with the rising cap16:41 – Offer sheets: Carlsson, Hayton, threats vs. actual deals21:00 – Rangers’ big decisions: Perreault, Cuylle, Schneider32:04 – Pavel Dorofeyev’s 7-year, $11M deal analyzed36:00 – Avoiding the mushy middle & Rangers’ path forwardSubscribe for more New York Rangers analysis, NHL cap talk, and interviews. Follow PuckPedia for the latest contract data and tools.

Jim Cerny sits down with Dan Kingerski (Pittsburgh Hockey Now) to talk through the Rangers' trade for Marcus Pettersson and why he could be the steadiest, most poised defenseman the team has had in years. They swap old Rangers-Penguins war stories, unpack Mike Sullivan's complicated reputation with young players, and talk about how new Penguins coach Dan Muse turned the room around last year — including getting the best out of Erik Karlsson. They close with a Metro Division preview and early playoff predictions ahead of training camp.Chapters: 0:57 – Meet Dan Kingerski 1:18 – Old Rangers-Penguins rivalry stories 6:16 – The Marcus Pettersson trade, explained 11:04 – Why the Rangers needed this defensive pairing 16:47 – Rangers' speed and identity issues 20:14 – Sullivan and young players 23:00 – Dan Muse's culture reset in Pittsburgh 27:08 – Metro Division predictions 33:16 – Florida's playoff pressure 35:30 – Wrap-up and a Toronto pronunciation bit

Russ Cohen of NHL Network Radio joins Rink Rap to break down the Rangers' prospect pipeline — his specialty — and doesn't hold back. Cohen explains why he thinks the Rangers "compromised down the middle" in the Vincent Trocheck trade, why he's not sold on Noah Laba as a third-line center replacement, and why center prospect Cole Beaudoin might be the best piece of the return package, even with Sean Durzi in the mix. He also digs into Alexis Lafreniere's evolution into a "different player," caps his ceiling at 60 points, makes the case for tempering expectations on Gabe Perreault despite his top-6 upside as a line driver and line builder, and previews top prospects Liam Greentree and Alberts Smits. Russ closes with his Metropolitan Division predictions for 2026-27.Chapters:00:00 — Intro 00:15 — Welcome & guest intro: Russ Cohen (Sportsology/NHL Network Radio 1:22 — Mets talk (off-topic tangent) 2:39 — Into the NHL offseason 2:52 — Jason Robertson's one-year deal with Dallas 7:03 — Flyers' offer sheet for Carlson & rising agent power 8:42 — Vincent Trocheck trade: Rangers "compromised down the middle" 10:51 — Can Noah Laba replace Trocheck at 3rd-line center? 12:35 — Trocheck return package: Sean Durzi & Cole Beaudoin 16:09 — Alexis Lafreniere's evolution & point ceiling 18:03 — The Gabe Perreault debate (Pronman vs. Wheeler) 31:18 — Rangers' prospect philosophy: character over skill 32:11 — Liam Greentree breakdown 33:27 — Alberts Smits breakdown 34:59 — Should Smits start in Hartford or the NHL? 39:05 — Metro Division parity & playoff picture 48:05 — Final Metro Division predictions 52:49 — Wrap-up & where to find Russ Cohen

Rink Rap goes on location to Troy, NY, for the 2026 New York State Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where Rangers legends took center stage. Host Jim Cerny recaps a night honoring Don Maloney, Neil Smith, and Nick Fotiu — then Fotiu himself drops by the mic for stories about throwing pucks into the MSG crowd, being feared vs. loved, and his advice for Matt Rempe.Then Hall of Fame broadcaster Sam Rosen joins to break down the Rangers' offseason: the Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson additions, Joonas Korpisalo settling the backup goalie spot behind Igor Shesterkin, and why Pavel Dorofeyev could transform the power play. Allan Kreda of the Associated Press closes the show with the Leo Carlsson offer sheet fallout, JT Miller and the captaincy question, Braden Schneider trade rumors, and where the Rangers stack up in a loaded Metro Division.Follow all our Rangers coverage at ForeverBlueshirts.com. Like, subscribe, and drop a comment: are the Rangers a playoff team in 2026-27?#NewYorkRangers #NYRangers #NHL #NickFotiu #SamRosen #RinkRapChapters:00:00 Intro from Troy, NY – NYS Hockey Hall of Fame induction night 00:36 Inductees: Don Maloney, Neil Smith, Nick Fotiu 02:04 Nick Fotiu surprise interview 03:00 Throwing pucks into the MSG crowd (and almost hitting Jim) 08:38 Fotiu's advice for Matt Rempe: feared vs. loved 10:25 Neil Smith's induction speech & the Maloney brothers' moment 16:38 Sam Rosen interview begins 19:53 Rosen on the Rangers' offseason: "a team that can compete" 21:16 Sean Durzi & Marcus Pettersson: filling the Fox insurance gap 24:24 Korpisalo, Dylan Garand & the goalie depth chart 27:42 Pavel Dorofeyev and a more dangerous power play 32:08 Allan Kreda (AP) joins the show 33:04 Leo Carlsson's $18M offer sheet fallout 38:00 Is Dorofeyev a younger Panarin? 40:29 JT Miller, the captaincy & pressure in New York 43:45 Braden Schneider trade talk 47:54 Metro Division pecking order: where do the Rangers land? 51:31 Wrap-up: PR McGuire and more guests coming this summer

Former Rangers captain and MSG broadcaster Dave Maloney joins Jim Cerny to break down a busy start to the Rangers' offseason. They discuss the real impact of trading Vincent Trocheck, both on the ice and in the locker room, and what it means for a retooling roster. Dave and Jim dig into the remade second defense pairing with Pederson and Jersey, and why Braden Schneider's next contract might be the most important storyline of the summer.They also cover Pavel Dorofeyev's seven-year, $77 million commitment and what it says about the direction of the franchise, the surprising money behind the Yaroslav Korpisalo goaltending trade, and how the crease shakes out behind Igor Shesterkin. Plus, a look at how Toronto and Ottawa's own offseason drama, from Gavin McKenna to Brady Tkachuk, compares to the Rangers' path forward.A candid conversation about roster turnover, player loyalty, and what it takes to rebuild a contender.Chapters:00:00 Cold open — Trocek trade risk teaser 00:56 Intro — Rink Rap podcast open, Jim Cerny welcomes Dave Maloney 02:16 Catching up — Dave's grandkids, life update, offseason mood 02:53 Toronto and Ottawa fan reactions — Gavin McKenna, Brady Tkachuk 05:08 Trade talk begins — Vincent Trocek's impact on and off the ice 09:36 Comparing Trocek's exit to the Jacob Trouba situation 11:52 Remade second defense pair — Pederson and Jersey 13:57 Braden Schneider's fit and future with the Rangers 19:00 Schneider's contract situation and arbitration outlook 26:50 Goaltending — Dylan Garand, Yaroslav Korpisalo trade 32:10 Draft picks and prospect pipeline — Greenway, Beaudoin, Petaglia 34:59 Draft-day trade-up for the fifth pick 37:42 Season review — what went wrong the year before 41:24 Losing Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin the same night 44:05 Upcoming events — New York State Hockey Hall of Fame weekend 44:56 Growing Shoulder Check campaign and July 30th charity event 52:00 Sign-off

Jim Cerny is back on Rink Rap to break down an absolutely wild 24-hour stretch for the New York Rangers. After missing the instant reaction show following a chaotic July 1st, Jim dives deep into everything Chris Drury did to reshape this roster: the blockbuster trade for Pavel Dorofeyev, the surprising fifth-overall pick of Alberts Šmits over fan-favorite Chase Reid, the Marcus Pettersson and Vincent Trocheck trades, and a goaltending shakeup that's got Rangers fans split on Dylan Garand vs. Joonas Korpisalo.Jim also gets into why the Rangers are deliberately buying time for their prospects, breaks down Cole Beaudoin's fit as a two-way center, and wraps with thoughts from Rangers development camp.Subscribe to Forever Blueshirts for daily Rangers coverage, and catch Rink Rap every week all summer long.#NYRangers #Rangers #NHL #NHLDraft #PavelDorofeyev #RinkRap #ForeverBlueshirts #NHLTrade #NYR #HockeyPodcastChapters:00:00 Intro & Cold Open 00:15 Jim's Insane 24 Hours: The Hot Mess Wednesday Story 04:29 Programming Notes: NY State Hockey Hall of Fame (July 12) 09:08 BREAKING: Rangers Acquire Pavel Dorofeyev From Vegas 09:19 Why Dorofeyev Is Such a Perfect Fit 10:12 The Age Factor: Why 25 Changes Everything 12:36 Replacing Panarin, Not Trocheck 13:05 Power Play Weapon: Elite Numbers 13:58 The Defensive Upside Nobody's Talking About 14:53 Rangers Draft Alberts Šmits No. 5 Overall 15:21 Mixed Reaction: Why Fans Wanted Chase Reid 20:00 Reid vs. Šmits: Breaking Down the Debate 22:54 The Gabrielov Succession Plan 25:04 Grading the Draft Class (C-Minus Reviews) 26:13 Backfilling the Prospect Pool 27:13 Drew Fortescue's Path Forward 29:07 Segment 2 Begins 29:40 The Real Strategy: Buying Time for Prospects 32:11 Case Study: Drew Fortescue's Opportunity 33:50 Breaking Down the Marcus Pettersson Trade 43:42 Grading the Trocheck Trade 43:58 Vincent Trocheck's Rangers Legacy 45:57 Sean Durzi Replaces Will Borgen 48:55 Braden Schneider's New Reality 50:41 Are the Rangers Actually Better Than Game 82? 55:57 Segment 3 Begins: The Goalie Controversy 57:53 Igor Shesterkin's Backup Problem 59:29 Dylan Garand's Case for the No. 2 Job 1:01:14 The Joonas Korpisalo Trade Breakdown 1:03:40 Is Garand Getting a Fair Shot? 1:04:39 Cole Beaudoin: The Trocheck Trade's Hidden Gem 1:08:17 Cole Beaudoin's Injury Concern 1:08:24 Development Camp Wrap-Up 1:09:21 Closing Thoughts & What's Next

Jim breaks down why Pavel Dorofeyev is the perfect fit up front, then unpacks the Rangers' surprise pick of Alberts Šmits over fan-favorite Chase Reid at No. 5.

The Marcus Pettersson trade, the Vincent Trocheck deal for Sean Durzi, and why the Rangers are deliberately buying time for their prospects instead of rushing them.

Dylan Garand vs. Joonas Korpisalo splits the fanbase, plus a closer look at what the Rangers are getting in Cole Beaudoin.

The New York Rangers head into the 2026 NHL Draft holding 11 picks — including No. 5 overall and two in the first round — and the stakes couldn't be higher. Jim Cerny sits down with FloHockey's Chris Peters, one of the most respected NHL draft analysts in the game, to break down exactly what the Rangers should expect at No. 5 and why this class is deeper than you might think at the top of the blue line.Peters explains why five is actually a favorable spot this year, discusses the prospects most likely to be available and digs into why player development decisions after the draft may matter even more than the pick itself. He also weighs in on EJ Emery's progress and the Rangers' thin prospect pool heading into a massive offseason.Then Jim goes solo for segment two — reacting to the Dylan Garand signing, breaking down the Brady Tkachuk trade and what it means for New York, making the case for a Patrick Laine flier in free agency, and previewing what the Rangers need to do before training camp.🏒 Subscribe to Rink Rap for ongoing New York Rangers coverage from the Forever Blueshirts network.📝 Full written coverage: ForeverBlueshirts.comChapters:0:00 - Intro: Rangers & Draft Week Context0:57 - Chris Peters Joins: FloHockey Draft Expert1:20 - Rangers' History of Blown Top Picks (Lafreniere, Kaco, Sanderson)3:48 - Why Pick No. 5 Is Actually a Good Spot This Year5:54 - Development Decisions Matter as Much as the Draft Pick8:04 - Carson Carlson: Should He Turn Pro or Go to North Dakota?10:00 - College Path vs. AHL: The New Development Landscape11:33 - Who's Likely Gone Before No. 5? (Stenberg, Reed, McKenna)13:08 - Malhotra, Carlson, Smiths & Who Falls to the Rangers15:11 - Ronan Smiths: Most NHL-Ready Prospect in the Class?16:34 - Smiths' Personality & Pro Maturity17:53 - Carlson vs. Reed: Breaking Down the Two Top D-Men20:44 - EJ Emery: Where Is His Development at Right Now?24:28 - Does Emery's Status Factor Into the No. 5 Decision?26:33 - Rangers' 11 Picks: Trade Up, Package Thirds, or Hold?29:47 - What Chris Peters Will Be Doing During Draft Weekend 31:02 - Liam Greentree & Nathan Aspinall: Prospect Spotlight33:58 - Goodbye to Chris Peters; Teaser for Segment 235:54 - Segment 2: Jim Solo — Dylan Granlund Re-Signed38:34 - Should Rangers Sign a Veteran Backup Goalie in Free Agency?42:00 - Brady Kachuk Trade: How It Affects New York45:18 - The Case for Patrick Laine on a Prove-It Deal51:13 - Why Anthony Mantha Is a Hard Pass for the Rangers52:53 - Florida Panthers With Both Kachuks & Barkov: A Scary Team1:01:44 - Kevin Stanlec: A Sleeper Free Agent Target for the Rangers1:06:00 - Lava–Carter–Cooley Third Line Vision1:07:00 - NHL Notes: Babcock Cleared, Darren Raddysh to Toronto1:08:14 - Closing: Live Draft Reaction Show Coming This Weekend

FloHockey's top draft analyst breaks down who's realistically available at fifth overall, why this blue line class is elite, and what EJ Emery's development actually looks like right now.

Jim reacts to the Dylan Garand re-signing, the Brady Kachuk blockbuster, why the Rangers should take a flier on Patrick Laine, and which free agents could fit the rebuild.

Former Rangers GM Neil Smith joins Jim Cerny on the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Stanley Cup championship to share what winning in New York truly feels like — and what the Knicks are about to experience. Neil weighs in on Carolina's Cup run, the goalie switch that may have flipped the series, and why he's skeptical of the Rangers' current direction, including the Trocheck trade talk. Then Jim goes solo on K'Andre Miller's championship moment, why the Rangers made that trade in the first place, and what to expect from New York at No. 5 in the upcoming NHL Draft.#RinkRap #NewYorkRangers #NYRangers #NHLDraft #KAndreMiller #NeilSmith #CarolinaHurricanesChapters:0:00 - Intro & 32nd Anniversary of the '94 Rangers Cup 1:27 - Neil Smith joins Jim Cerny 3:35 - Neil on the Raleigh atmosphere & Carolina winning the Cup 5:00 - What winning in New York means — and what the Knicks are about to feel 5:20 - Neil: "I was overwhelmed" at the '94 parade 10:57 - Rangers/Knicks parallels: No. 11, team effort, Jalen Brunson vs. Messier 19:06 - Jordan Staal's Conn Smythe run & Brandon Buscemi's clutch performance 21:28 - The goalie switch: why Buscemi may have been Carolina's secret weapon 27:44 - Rangers' offseason: restocking the shelves, 11 draft picks 28:33 - Trocheck trade talk: Neil questions the move 29:50 - "This can't be retooled" — Neil on the Rangers' rebuild semantics 33:45 - JT Miller, Mike Sullivan & "I don't understand what they're doing" 40:00 - The pressure of being Rangers GM in New York 42:50 - The weight of winning: post-Cup pressure and expectations 47:57 - Jim solo: K'Andre Miller wins the Cup, Rangers ties everywhere 50:30 - Why the Rangers traded Miller — and can we judge that trade yet? 55:30 - Gavrikov disillusionment reports: what Jim is hearing 59:18 - NHL Draft preview: No. 5 pick options for the Rangers 1:01:25 - Jim's pick: Carson Carls as the most complete option at No. 5 1:03:14 - Outro

The '94 Cup-winning GM praises the Knicks' run, shares what overwhelmed him at the '94 parade, breaks down Carolina's Cup-clinching goalie change, and questions whether the Rangers' retool is really a plan at all.

Jim breaks down why the Rangers made the Miller trade, what it means now that he's a champion, and who New York should be eyeing with the fifth overall pick in next week's draft.

Former Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi joins Jim Cerny to look back on the most beloved Blueshirts team of the modern era. Danny gets into the 2014 Stanley Cup run, what John Tortorella did for his career (plus a couple of classic Torts stories), the emotional Ryan Callahan–Martin St. Louis trade, and his run in Tampa with Jon Cooper. He also weighs in on the city going bonkers for the Knicks, Tortorella's job in Vegas, and what made that close-knit Rangers core so good. A fun, candid conversation with one of the genuinely good guys.#NYR #Rangers #NHL #DanGirardi #RinkRap #Tortorella #StanleyCupChapters: 0:00 — Welcome in: free agency, the draft, Larkin rumors, and a city overrun by the Knicks 0:49 — Bringing in former Ranger Dan Girardi 1:15 — Watching from across the border as NYC goes bonkers for the Knicks 4:46 — Could Girardi see himself on a broadcast panel someday? 7:30 — Why that Tortorella-era group is remembered so fondly 9:52 — "Not one bad guy in that room" — chemistry as the reason for the winning 12:10 — The moments that come flooding back: Marty's OT, Stepan's winner, Henrik 15:01 — The 2012 Washington game: nine seconds, Stepan, and the Stoll OT winner 16:38 — What Torts did for his career, plus the puck-toss story 20:56 — The perfect storm for Tortorella in Vegas 22:50 — Game 1, 2014 Cup Final: the turnover, and owning it the next day 28:30 — Trades, leaving friends behind, and the Callahan–St. Louis swing 31:18 — The buyout, getting that call from Tampa, and playing for Coop 36:02 — The funniest guy in the room — and why it's impossible to pick one 39:11 — Wrapping up; a quick word and the vet appointment 39:26 — Segment 2: thanks to Danny G, looking ahead to the offseason 42:53 — Knicks drop Game 3 at the Garden; the stakes of Game 4 42:59 — Rangers in the building: Fox, Trocheck, Quick, and Henrik backing the Knicks 43:08 — The Rangers' offseason and the Trocheck trade debate 44:32 — Centers coming off the board and how Larkin's request shifts the market 56:51 — Laviolette to LA, reuniting with Panarin — does it open a lane for Trocheck? 49:23 — Draft outlook: pick five, Carson Carls, and eleven picks to restock 53:14 — Wrap and thanks to Dan Girardi

Ex-Rangers D-man Dan Girardi joins Jim Cerny on the 2014 Cup run, John Tortorella, the Callahan–St. Louis trade, and his years in Tampa.#NYR #Rangers #DanGirardi #RinkRap #NHL

The closing segment of today's show!

Jim Cerny breaks down the Rangers' offseason crossroads and the Stanley Cup Final on this episode of Rink Rap from Forever Blueshirts.First, the big question hanging over the Cup Final: should Rangers fans root for K'Andre Miller and Carolina, or John Tortorella and Vegas? Plus full Stanley Cup Final predictions.Then Keith Kavanaugh of PuckPedia joins the show to dig into the decisions facing Chris Drury. Before Drury entertains signing Alex Tuch or any of the remaining top free agents, he has to define the Rangers' competitive window. We weigh the merits of trading or keeping both Vincent Trocheck and Braden Schneider, and analyze why K'Andre Miller has thrived with the Hurricanes since leaving New York.The show closes with a look at how Rangers players and prospects performed at the IIHF World Championship.Keep up with New York Rangers news: https://www.foreverblueshirts.comChapters:0:00 — Rangers faithful, welcome back to the offseason grind1:53 — Why Keith Kavanaugh of PuckPedia is the perfect guest this week5:00 — Carolina vs. Vegas: do Rangers fans even have a horse in this race?5:45 — The perfect storm brewing for John Tortorella in Vegas9:44 — K'Andre Miller's massive role in the Final—and his Rangers baggage12:00 — Are you rooting for Miller? For or against Torts?12:39 — Keith Kavanaugh joins the show13:24 — A barren free agent class and what it means for Drury18:46 — Defining the Rangers' real competitive window before chasing Tuch20:05 — Breaking down why K'Andre Miller exploded in Carolina24:20 — Is Braden Schneider part of the future or a trade chip?27:06 — The No. 5 pick and where the retool actually starts28:31 — Draft prospects and the case for a prospect swap32:05 — The bigger trade ship: what does Vincent Trocheck command?38:10 — Do the Rangers really need to move Trocheck at all?41:13 — Stanley Cup Final predictions47:50 — Wrapping with Keith, back for the final segment49:20 — Rangers at the IIHF World Championship: Finland gold and Blueshirt takeaways53:13 — Closing it out

Jim's back with the news you need on latest with the New York Rangers

Keith Kavanaugh of PuckPedia joins the show to dig into the decisions facing Chris Drury. Before Drury entertains signing Alex Tuch or any of the remaining top free agents, he has to define the Rangers' competitive window. We weigh the merits of trading or keeping both Vincent Trocheck and Braden Schneider, and analyze why K'Andre Miller has thrived with the Hurricanes since leaving New York.

We close out this edition of Rink Rap with some closing thoughts from Jim and the future of the New York Rangers this offseason.

Jim Cerny is joined by Steve and Joe of Broadway Block for a wide-open Rangers roundtable as the offseason takes shape. The crew debates whether Alexis Lafrenière can finally hit superstar territory on the Mika/Perreault line, why JT Miller has to bounce back, and whether Chris Drury is the right man to steer this retool. Plus: the top-six skill problem, the case for trading up (or staying put) at #5 for Anton Frondell or Porter Martone, Braydon Schneider's bridge-deal future, the Vincent Trocheck timing question, and why the Rangers still need to address the backup goalie spot behind Igor — even with Dylan Garand pushing for it.Live chat questions from the Blueshirts faithful sprinkled throughout.

Jim Cerny breaks down what Charlie Coyle's six-year deal in Columbus means for a potential Vincent Trocheck trade out of New York, why Chris Drury must absolutely nail the No. 5 pick and the retool, and whether Mike Sullivan's B-minus report card grade was fair. Then James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now joins the show for a "misery loves company" sitdown — Devils edition: the Jack Hughes Chicago dinner injury, the Quinn Hughes saga that helped cost Tom Fitzgerald his job, what new GM Sunny Mehta might do, and the Markstrom-Shesterkin goalie fight. Plus: if you're building a team from scratch with one local coach — Sullivan, Sheldon Keefe, or Peter DeBoer — who do you pick?Chapters:0:00 — Welcome back, recapping last week at Mustang Harry's2:08 — Rangers fall to No. 5, Toronto wins the lottery6:30 — Charlie Coyle re-signs with Columbus9:30 — Why Drury must nail the Trocheck trade13:00 — Minnesota, Detroit, and LA as Trocheck fits15:30 — Report card fallout: Drury's D, Sully's B-minus22:00 — The Lafrenière burden isn't going away25:30 — A Pavel Dorofeev offer sheet pipe dream28:15 — James Nichols joins: misery loves company31:00 — The cursed Chicago dinner that broke the Devils35:00 — Markstrom vs. Shesterkin39:30 — Quinn Hughes saga and the end of Tom Fitzgerald44:30 — Sizing up new Devils GM Sunny Mehta52:00 — The Metro is wide open behind Carolina55:30 — Sullivan, Keefe, or DeBoer — who do you build with?

Jim Cerny on why Coyle's six-year deal in Columbus is the best news Chris Drury could've gotten, what the Rangers need to extract for Trocheck, the Lafrenière burden, and report card pushback on Sullivan's B-minus.

James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now joins Jim for a "misery loves company" Rangers-Devils sitdown — the Jack Hughes Chicago dinner injury, the Markstrom-Shesterkin fight, the Quinn Hughes mess that ended Tom Fitzgerald, and whether Sunny Mehta packages the No. 12 pick for an aggressive move.

Jim Cerny is live from Mustang Harry's in midtown Manhattan with Lou Orlando of Forever Blueshirts for instant reaction to the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery — and it didn't go the Rangers' way. Sitting on the third-best odds, the Blueshirts got leapfrogged twice as the Toronto Maple Leafs vaulted up to grab the No. 1 overall pick (saving Boston the Brandon Carlo trade pick in the process) and the San Jose Sharks landed No. 2. The Rangers slide all the way down to fifth.Jim and Lou break down what a top-five pick in a deep draft class actually means for a team that needs everything: Gavin McKenna goes to Toronto, Michael Misa or one of the top defensemen like Chase Reid and Jackson Smith become the realistic targets at five, and the conversation turns to whether Chris Drury should trade the pick for proven NHL talent — Brady Tkachuk, Jason Robertson, Pavel Dorofeyev, even a hypothetical Connor McDavid scenario after his frustrated end-of-season presser in Edmonton. Plus: where Will Cuylle really fits, the Braden Schneider trade fit in San Jose, and why "retool, not rebuild" isn't just semantics for James Dolan and the front office.#Rangers #NYR #NHLDraftLottery #RinkRap #ForeverBlueshirts #NHLDraft #LetsGoRangersChapters: 00:00 — Live from Mustang Harry's, the lottery results are in 01:00 — How the balls fell: Rangers needed 9 or 14, got 12 03:00 — Toronto jumps to #1, saves Boston's Carlo pick 05:00 — The new top five: Rangers slide to fifth 07:30 — Lou Orlando joins the show 11:30 — Misa, Reid, and who could fall to five 17:00 — Did the final month soften the blow? 24:30 — Schneider to San Jose — does it still make sense? 27:30 — Retool vs. rebuild: why the word matters 38:00 — Drafting for need or best player available 45:00 — A pissed-off McDavid and what it could mean 49:00 — The Brady Tkachuk trade math 52:00 — Robertson and Dorofeyev as RFA targets 58:00 — Where Will Cuylle actually fits 1:01:30 — Lou's gut reaction to the lottery 1:06:00 — What to do with that second first-round pick 1:09:30 — Wrap-up from Mustang Harry's

Brady Tkachuk spoke to the media in Ottawa — and he didn't hold back. Murray Pam of Hockey Hot Stove joins us live from the arena, straight out of the press conference, to break down exactly what Tkachuk said and what his body language told the room. Spoiler: he's frustrated, he's committed, and he's tired of being asked.Then we pivot to the New York Rangers offseason — the NHL Draft Lottery is just days away (Tuesday, May 5), and the Rangers hold an 11.5% chance at the #1 overall pick with a guaranteed top-5 selection. We break down what that means for the rebuild, how the roster looks right now, what Mike Sullivan said at breakup day, and who the key players are in the bottom-six development race.Plus: GM moves around the league — Toronto eyeing John Chayka and Mats Sundin, Sunny Mehta named New Jersey's new GM, and former Rangers GM Jeff Gorton talks about the 2018 rebuild, Jim Dolan's vision, and how he found out he was fired.Chapters:00:00 – Intro & Episode Overview 01:00 – BREAKING: Brady Tkachuk Press Conference (w/ Murray Pam, Hockey Hot Stove) 18:05 – Segment 2 Intro: Rangers Offseason & Draft Lottery Preview 25:00 – NHL Draft Lottery: Rangers' Odds, Top Prospects & What's at Stake32:00 – Rangers Roster Breakdown: Bottom-Six, Greentree, Aspinall, Cartier & More 42:00 – Free Agency Strategy & Pavel Dorofeyev as a Target 46:30 – GM Carousel: Toronto, New Jersey, Vancouver & Seattle 48:45 – Jeff Gorton on the 2018 Rangers Rebuild & Jim Dolan 51:00 – Closing & What's Coming Next Week (Hart Levine/Puckpedia)

Murray Pam joins straight from the rink to break down Brady Tkachuk's surprise Ottawa press conference — why he's fed up with trade rumors, his commitment to the Senators, and what the next 12 months could mean for his future.

Jim breaks down the Rangers' offseason priorities — the high-stakes May 5 Draft Lottery, the roster as it stands today, free agency strategy (including a Dorofeyev offer-sheet idea), and the latest on GM moves around the league.

Jim Cerny sits down with Newsday Rangers beat writer Colin Stephenson to break down a difficult season and look ahead to what could be a defining offseason for New York. The two dig into the gaping hole in the top six left by the Artemi Panarin trade, whether the Rangers have the pieces — or the assets — to fix it, and why the free agent market this summer won't bail them out. They also assess Mike Sullivan's first year behind the bench, the encouraging post-Olympic stretch from Alexis Lafreniere and Gabe Perreault, what to realistically expect from the prospect pipeline, the Mika Zibanejad bounce-back season, the injury toll on Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox, and what a Chris Drury retool actually looks like. Plus — should Vincent Trocheck be moved, and is Alex Tuch a realistic free agent target?🎙️ Rink Rap is the New York Rangers podcast from Forever Blueshirts.🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.Chapters:0:00 — Intro & welcome to Colin Stephenson 3:56 — Rangers' top six problem: who replaces Panarin's production? 6:29 — Was trading Panarin always the plan — and why? 8:02 — JT Miller & the shift toward a grittier identity 26:14 — Lafreniere's breakout: sustainable or situational? 29:24 — Gabe Perreault: encouraging signs, but pump the brakes 30:00 — Sakura, Kamilash and keeping youth expectations in check 32:06 — Mike Sullivan's first season: the good, the bad, the verdict 43:57 — Vincent Trocheck: keep him or trade him? 48:17 — The Florida Panthers model and why skill still wins 50:51 — Chris Drury's roster-building philosophy: overcorrected on grit? 57:30 — Adam Fox injury concerns and the Igor Shesterkin health factor 01:01:46 — Cap space, free agency outlook and the Tuch/Radish UFA market 01:02:28 — Trade vs. free agency: the smarter path to upgrading the Rangers

im Cerny breaks down two of the biggest storylines heading into the Rangers offseason. First, he pays tribute to Jonathan Quick, who announced his retirement after 18 NHL seasons — reflecting on the iconic send-off the Florida Panthers gave him after his final game, his legacy as a three-time Stanley Cup champion and probable Hall of Famer, and what his three years in New York meant to the organization on and off the ice. Jim also digs into what comes next between the pipes: the Dylan Gran question, the free agent backup market and how the Rangers' approach will signal exactly how much they trust their prospect.Then after the break, Jim turns to Vincent Trocheck — the elephant in the room. With a failed trade deadline move behind them, Jim examines Trocheck's body language, his reduced media presence, and why moving him this offseason is the right call for both sides. The Trocheck decision, Jim argues, is the linchpin of the entire Rangers retool.#NewYorkRangers #RinkRap #ForeverBlueshirts #JonathanQuick #VincentTrocheck #DylanGran #NHLOffseasonChapters:0:00 — Jim opens the show, previews a two-topic episode and teases full offseason coverage ahead 1:35 — Jonathan Quick retirement announced; Jim reacts to Quick's final game and the Panthers' ice tribute 4:40 — Bobrovsky orchestrates the on-ice farewell; Jim on what "great appreciates great" really means 6:00 — Quick's legacy: 410 wins, three Cups, and a case for the Hockey Hall of Fame 7:37 — The 2023-24 season revisited — Quick at his best as a Ranger, and the role he played in Igor's mid-year reset 12:00 — This season's collapse; what Quick's decline exposed about the Rangers' backup situation 17:00 — Dylan Gran's playoff track record and the big question: is he ready to be the No. 2? 18:43 — Jim argues the Rangers must sign a veteran backup this offseason — Spencer Martin is not the answer 20:55 — Break preview: goaltender free agent options and the Trocheck situation coming up 23:02 — Back from break; Jim runs through the veteran backup market and no-name-but-solid options 25:15 — Kevin Maxwell returns to the Rangers as Director of Pro Scouting — congratulations and context 26:16 — Cam Talbot, Daniel Tarasov and the two-category framework for evaluating backup candidates 28:00 — The AHL route: Brandon Halverson, Caden Primo, Phoenix Copley and the training camp battle idea 32:40 — What signing a Rittich or Comrie over Gran would actually signal about the organization's plans 35:08 — The Matt Murray wildcard: the Sully factor, the injury history, and whether it's worth a camp invite 39:11 — Pivoting to Trocheck: Jim on the body language, the media absence and the failed trade deadline deal 41:27 — Why trading Trocheck this offseason is the right move — for the Rangers and for Vinnie himself 43:31 — Closing thoughts; Rangers wrap up Wednesday in Tampa, draft lottery odds, and what's ahead on Rink Rap

Jonathan Quick retires after 18 seasons; Jim reacts to the Panthers' on-ice tribute and reflects on what made Quick one of the most respected players in the league.

Dylan Gran's path to the NHL backup job is real, but Jim argues the Rangers can't hand it to him — they need competition, and the free agent market has options at every price point. Trocheck wasn't traded at the deadline, but all signs point to an offseason move. Jim breaks down the body language, the ice time, and why this is the most important decision of the Rangers' retool.

Jim Cerny is back in the home office for a jam-packed solo episode of Rink Rap. He opens with a firsthand account of the historic first-ever PWHL game at Madison Square Garden — Sirens vs. Torrent, 18,000+ fans, Billie Jean King dropping the puck — before pivoting to a deep dive on the Rangers' closing stretch of the 2025–26 season.Jim breaks down what's working (a top-3 power play, Adam Fox healthy and dominant, Igor Shesterkin back in form) and what went wrong — pinpointing the January 5th Utah game as the season's turning point when both Fox and Shesterkin went down the same night. He makes the case that those two are the team's most irreplaceable players, and the numbers prove it.Then it's on to the offseason: Is Vincent Trocheck getting traded? What about Brayden Schneider? Jim weighs in on the JT Miller lightning rod debate — injuries, captaincy pressure, Mika Zibanejad's defense of him — and discusses free agency options including Alex Tuch and UFA defenseman Darren Raddysh. Plus, Rangers prospects EJ Emery and Malcolm Spence in the NCAA Frozen Four, and what 11 draft picks could mean for the rebuild.Chapters:0:00 — Welcome back + live at Mustang Harry's recap with Johnny Lazarus & Sweet Lou Orlando 3:25 — PWHL history at MSG: Sirens vs. Torrent, 18K fans, Billie Jean King, and the electric atmosphere 7:40 — Rangers close out their home schedule: from 0-6-1 start to finishing strong 12:00 — Special teams breakdown: power play ranked 3rd in NHL, Adam Fox's impact 16:45 — Shesterkin and Fox return from injury — the January 5th turning point that defined the season 22:45 — Offseason outlook: Trocek and Schneider trade odds, under-the-radar roster moves 25:30 — Free agency: Should the Rangers pursue Alex Tuck? The case for and against 30:00 — Prospects: Liam Greentree, Gabe Perrault, and the rebuild path 31:00 — JT Miller debate: lightning rod, captain pressure, Mika's defense of him 38:30 — Darren Raddysh UFA watch: keeping him vs. paying up at 30 41:00 — Final road games, Frozen Four watch (EJ Emery, Malcolm Spence), and offseason preview#NYRangers #NewYorkRangers #NHL #NHLPodcast

Jim Cerny was there for the historic first PWHL game ever played at MSG — 18,000+ fans, Billie Jean King dropping the puck, and a Sirens win in the shootout. He breaks down what made the night unforgettable.

Jim breaks down the Fox and Shesterkin injury turning point, the JT Miller debate, special teams performance, and what the offseason holds — trades, free agency, and a loaded draft cupboard.

Rink Rap is live at Mustang Harry's, just steps from Madison Square Garden, for a packed episode of Rangers talk and hockey history.Jonny Lazarus of Daily Faceoff joins for a deep dive into all things New York Rangers — the big picture questions, the storylines that matter, and where this team is really headed.Then, NY Sirens beat reporter Lou Orlando breaks down the first-ever PWHL game played at Madison Square Garden — a landmark moment for women's hockey and for New York sports.Two great conversations, one iconic Midtown bar. This is Rink Rap.🎙️ Hosted by the Forever Blueshirts crew📍 Recorded live at Mustang Harry's — Midtown ManhattanSubscribe, leave a review, and follow us for more Rangers and NYC hockey coverage.Chapters:0:00 — Welcome to Mustang Harry's: Jim sets the scene steps from MSG on a big double-header day for New York hockey4:14 — Rangers' late-season surge — four wins in five, the kids finding their footing, and the mindset shift taking hold10:46 — Gabe Perreault's historic natural hat trick — first by a Rangers rookie in 42 years, and what it reveals about his game14:23 — Did the Panarin trade unlock a new identity? Jim poses the question he plans to put to his guests17:17 — Jonny Lazarus of Daily Faceoff joins live at Mustang Harry's, fresh out of the Rangers locker room19:29 — How much stock do you put in what you see down the stretch? Zero on the vets, everything on the kids24:21 — Braden Schneider's future: is he a keeper, or does he get moved this summer?27:26 — Scott Maro's rocky season and what it means for the Rangers' defensive retool29:43 — Brady Tkachuk trade rumors and the growing trend of American players wanting out of Canada34:11 — The Lafreniere question: real evolution or a small-sample mirage post-Panarin?38:05 — Jonathan Quick, the backup situation, and what the Rangers need between the pipes next year39:27 — Trocheck trade talk: Lazarus says it happens this summer, and explains why Vinny's probably already mentally moved on42:06 — Lou Orlando joins — Rangers depth talk picks up with Jaroslav Hamelash and Adam Sýkora's surprising emergence45:51 — What happens to Matt Rempe? The fourth line picture has shifted significantly52:14 — Rangers prospect pipeline check56:41 — Shifting to the Sirens: the historic first PWHL game at MSG is a sellout, and what it means for the league1:00:27 — The Sirens' market challenge — winning in New York requires winning on the ice, and Saturday is a massive showcase moment1:03:52 — Final three storylines for the MSG game: the Sirens needing a complete 60 minutes, Alex Carpenter and Krejčí-Shorter returning to New York, and the sheer magnitude of PWHL hockey inside the World's Most Famous Arena

Jim Cerny breaks down what's working in New York's late-season run — young players stepping up, the team's identity shift, and what this stretch means heading into a pivotal offseason. #Rangers 

Daily Faceoff's Jonny Lazarus joins live from Mustang Harry's for a frank conversation about the Rangers' retool — Lafreniere's evolution, Schneider's uncertain future, and what the front office needs to do this summer.

NY Sirens beat reporter Lou Orlando joins to preview the first-ever PWHL game at Madison Square Garden — what it means for women's hockey, the Sirens' season, and the electric atmosphere building just steps from where they're sitting.

Jim Cerny of Forever Blueshirts breaks down the Rangers' entertaining stretch run, showers praise on Adam Sykora and the Kiddie Corps, and celebrates Igor Shesterkin's goalie fight — then goes deep with former Rangers netminder Marty Biron.Biron weighs in on Igor's pugilistic skills, relives his own famous brawl with Ray Emery and the role Chris Drury played in it, and explains why the Rangers' strong finish means something very different to players vs. management. He also shares his love for John Tortorella and reacts to Torts landing with the Golden Knights — plus thoughts on what Sam Carrick brought to Buffalo after the trade, and concern over Carrick's injury Tuesday night.We close by teeing up our live recording at Mustang Harry's this Saturday — come hang with us.CHAPTERS0:00 — Rangers' stretch run: why this team is genuinely fun to watch right now 4:30 — Bouquets for Adam Sykora and the Kiddie Corps 8:00 — Igor Shesterkin's goalie fight breakdown 12:00 — Marty Biron joins: his take on Igor's fighting skills 17:00 — Biron relives his brawl with Ray Emery and Chris Drury's role in it 24:00 — What the Rangers' strong finish means — differently — for players vs. management 30:00 — "I love Torts": Biron on Tortorella returning to the NHL with Vegas 36:00 — Sam Carrick's impact in Buffalo post-trade, and concern over his injury 42:00 — Live event tease: join us at Mustang Harry's this Saturday#newyorkrangers #rangershockey #rangers #nhl #nhlpodcast

Oh yes...a goalie fight! Jim recaps Igor Shesterkin's big brawl and previews the rest of the show.

The great Marty Biron joins Jim to talk about the excitement around the Sheshterkin goalie fight and offers thoughts on Rangers future and the NHL playoffs.

Jim talks about our LIVE recording from Mustang Harry's this Saturday between the Rangers and Sirens games at MSG!

The New York Rangers hit a new low — just 10 shots on goal in a loss to Ottawa, on the same night they honored Mika Zibanejad's 1,000th NHL game. Jim Cerney breaks it all down on this week's Rink Rap from Forever Blue Shirts.Then, Nick Alberga from Leafs Nation and NHL Network Radio joins to tackle the big question: Who's the bigger disappointment this season — the Rangers or the Toronto Maple Leafs? And more importantly, which franchise can flip things around faster this offseason?Plus: Dylan Garand's impressive NHL debut, Drew Fortescue signing his entry-level contract, Adam Sikora's recall, the draft lottery picture, and whether the Rangers should be rooting against themselves down the stretch.🎙️ Guest: Nick Alberga (@TheGoldenMuzzy) — Leafs Nation / NHL Network Radio📅 Live Event Alert: We're planning a live broadcast from Mustang Harry's in NYC on April 4th — between the Rangers afternoon game and the NY Sirens' first-ever PWHL game at Madison Square Garden. Details coming soon!🔔 Subscribe for weekly Rangers coverage, offseason trades, draft analysis, and more.📰 Full coverage at: foreverblueShirts.com 🐦 Follow Jim: @JimCerney on X 🐦 Follow Nick: @TheGoldenMuzzy on XChapters:00:00 - Intro / Welcome back 00:16 - Jim's West Coast trip to Palm Springs 02:00 - Joshua Tree National Park & long winter recap 02:52 - Thanks to Lou Orlando for filling in 03:09 - Introducing today's guest: Nick Alberga 04:09 - Segment 1: Rangers news & quick hits 06:01 - Rangers Centennial season ceremonies 07:27 - Mika Zibanejad's 1,000th NHL game celebration 09:28 - Rangers' dismal effort vs. Ottawa (Centennial night faceplant) 11:54 - Just 10 shots on goal — near-record futility 13:22 - Dave Maloney goes off on MSG Network 15:31 - Fans rooting for Rangers to LOSE (tankathon mode) 16:53 - Draft lottery picture: Rangers tied for 2nd-worst record 17:43 - Igor Shesterkin's strong play since return from injury 18:40 - Dylan Garand's NHL debut breakdown 20:00 - Dylan Garand vs. Jonathan Quick going forward 21:20 - Adam Sykora recalled from Hartford 22:49 - Drew Fortescue signs entry-level deal 25:52 - Rangers' final three weeks: what matters 27:37 - Segment 2: Nick Alberga joins — Rangers vs. Leafs disappointment debate 28:10 - Who's the bigger disappointment: Rangers or Maple Leafs? 30:33 - Austin Matthews under fire in Toronto 32:50 - JT Miller as Rangers captain: has it worked? 34:00 - Nick's take on JT Miller's history of being moved 36:59 - How quickly can each team rebuild? 38:17 - Vincent Trocheck not traded at the deadline — right call? 40:56 - Rangers vs. Leafs Wednesday in Toronto — both want to lose 41:26 - Which team can turn it around faster? 43:53 - Craig Berube's future in Toronto / Peter Laviolette mention 46:10 - Segment 3: Closing thoughts & playoff picture for other teams 47:17 - April 4th live event at Mustang Harry's in NYC 48:54 - Who don't Rangers fans want in the playoffs? 50:10 - Columbus, Detroit, Ottawa as rising threats 51:47 - Pittsburgh surging under Dan Muse (former Rangers assistant) 53:22 - Do Rangers fans still hate the Penguins/Flyers enough to care? 54:06 - Ping pong ball history: 2019-2020 draft lottery recap 55:01 - Wrap up & subscribe reminder#NewYorkRangers #Rangers #NHL #RinkRap #ForeverBlueShirts #MikaZibanejad #TorontoMapleLeafs #MapleLeafs #NHLPodcast #RangersPodcast #IgorShesterkin #JTMiller #NickAlberga #HockeyPodcast 

A brutal 10-shot effort against Ottawa on Mika Zibanejad's 1,000th game ceremony — plus the draft lottery picture, Dylan Garand's debut, and why Rangers fans are rooting for losses.

Nick Alberga of Leafs Nation joins to debate which Original Six franchise has been more disappointing in 2025-26 — and which one can realistically turn it around faster this offseason.

Jim weighs in on the Eastern Conference playoff race, which teams Rangers fans should root against, and announces a live Rink Rap broadcast at Mustang Harry's on April 4th.