Rink Rap | A New York Rangers Podcast from Forever Blueshirts

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.

Lou Orlando fills in for Jim Cerny on the Rink Rap Podcast from Forever Blueshirts, breaking down the latest on the New York Rangers as the season winds down. Lafreniere is playing the best hockey of his career — but is it real? Plus, is Gabe Perreault being set up for the same power play frustration Lafreniere dealt with for years? And with Dylan Grandy getting recalled, what's going on in the Rangers' crease?🔔 Subscribe & follow Forever Blue Shirts for all your Rangers coverage. 🌐 www.foreverblueshirts.com 🐦 @4EverBlueShirts | @JimCerny | @SweetLouuuuuChapters:0:00 – Intro 0:18 – Lou Orlando fills in for Jim Cerny 1:37 – March Madness & Rangers struggles 3:13 – Rangers post-Olympic break: fool's gold confirmed 5:32 – Panarin's return to MSG 9:18 – Kopitar & Quick moment; hockey history 11:14 – JT Miller returns, Rangers slide continues 13:03 – Mika Zibanejad still producing 13:58 – Noah Laba injury concern 16:48 – BREAK 16:53 – Lafreniere's surge: 8 goals, 15 points in 12 games 21:00 – Is this real or garbage time production? 24:10 – Should the Rangers trade Lafreniere this offseason? 28:33 – Laviolette on Lafreniere's power play usage 33:46 – Gabe Pro: following in Lafreniere's footsteps? 37:19 – Rangers PP numbers since Olympic break 39:15 – What happens to Pro's role next season? 42:39 – Dylan Grandy recalled; the goalie situation 46:44 – Final thoughts & outro

Lou Orlando fills in for Jim Cerny and breaks down New York's three-game skid, Panarin's return to MSG, and why losing is actually the right move for this franchise right now.

Lafreniere's post-Olympic surge is real enough to get excited about, but the bigger question is whether Gabe Perrault is already being set up for the same power play exile that stunted Lafreniere's development for years.

The Rangers didn't blow things up at the trade deadline — and Pierre McGuire is here to explain why that might actually be the right call. We break down every move New York has made in their retool, dig into why Vincent Trocheck stayed put, and sit down with Pierre to get his unfiltered take on where this franchise is headed. He weighs in on Chris Drury's deadline discipline, what he sees in Gabe Perreault's future, whether Alexis Lafreniere is finally turning a corner, why the Brennan Othmann experiment ran its course, and what Braden Schneider and Scott Morrow need to become for this team. Plus — the Adam Fox contract situation is coming, and nobody's pretending it isn't. #rangers #NYRangers #NHLChapters:0:00 – Intro / Welcome 1:38 – Trade deadline recap begins; why Jim held off on a hot take 3:18 – The Trocheck decision: breaking down why he wasn't traded 5:07 – Trocheck's value, stats, and what he brings 9:56 – Will the off-season bring a better return? Cap implications, NTC shift 16:17 – Did the Rangers make the right call? Reading Trocheck's vibe post-deadline 23:20 – Quick breakdown of all Rangers trades (Carrick, Panarin, Karic, Othmann, Pulliot) 28:36 – SEGMENT 2 BEGINS: Pierre McGuire joins the show29:44 – Fool's gold or real? Rangers' strong play since the Olympic break 32:28 – Player development failures; the Schneider/Lafreniere problem 32:50 – Why it didn't work with Brennan Othmann 34:16 – The BU coaching tree: Sullivan, Quinn, Drury connection 38:54 – The Adam Fox conundrum heading into the offseason 41:30 – Is Lafreniere finally figuring it out post-Panarin? 43:10 – Gabe Perreault: Pierre's full scouting breakdown 45:06 – Quick question: Chris Drury sticking to his guns at the deadline 47:10 – Around the league: Colorado as Cup favorites, Minnesota's moves 50:30 – Should the NHL go to a play-in format? Conference-seeded playoffs? 52:22 – Between the benches memories: Rangers moments that stood out to Pierre 59:14 – Wrap-up / Sign-off

We set the table on the Rangers' ongoing retool — what they've done, what they passed on, and why keeping Vincent Trocheck made more sense than moving him. A full breakdown of every deal New York has made and what it signals about where Drury thinks this roster is going.

Pierre McGuire joins the show and doesn't hold back. From whether the Rangers' recent strong play is real or just pressure-relief to Gabe Perreault's ceiling, Lafreniere's evolution, the Othmann trade, defensive development in Schneider and Morrow, and the offseason Adam Fox decision that could define the next era in New York.

The NHL trade deadline arrives Friday at 3 p.m. Eastern, and Jim Cerny breaks down exactly where the New York Rangers stand heading into one of the most pivotal 72 hours in franchise history. This isn't just about who gets moved on Friday — it's about the full shape of the retool: who stays, who goes at the deadline and beyond, what the Rangers must demand in return, and which young players are ready to step into the picture sooner than you might think. Plus, Gabe Perreault's emergence takes center stage, and Adam Fox's future gets a hard look after some notably ambiguous comments.Chapters:0:00 — Intro: Deadline Week Is Here Setting the table for Friday's 3 p.m. deadline and why it's not the only date that matters in the retool.6:00 — Rangers Post-Break Report Card Three overtime games, two collapses, one comeback — what the results actually say about this team.11:22 — Gabe Perreault Is Figuring It Out Career-high three points vs. Columbus, growing confidence, and what it would mean for this season if he emerges as a top-six fixture.17:34 — Adam Fox's Ambiguous Future Fox sidesteps two direct questions about staying. Jim breaks down what that non-answer actually signals.20:00 — Jim's Princeton Women's Hockey Call A personal aside: Jim called the ECAC quarterfinals for ESPN+, Princeton punches their ticket to Lake Placid.23:12 — Igor's Cheeky Deflection Shesterkin plays the "I don't speak English" card when asked about the retool letter.36:05 — Segment 3: The Deadline Breakdown Begins Why Friday isn't the be-all-end-all, and why nailing the Trocheck return is the most important move Chris Drury makes.39:24 — Trocheck: Trade Him Now Peak value, East Coast destination, Minnesota Wild offer on the table — why this deal needs to happen before the deadline.46:35 — What the Rangers Must Target in Return Speed, youth, finishers, and future leaders. Why Noah Laba is already a core piece.50:46 — Schneider and Lafreniere: Not Going at the Deadline Jim's take on why both stay for now, and what kind of return they'd need to justify an offseason move.54:38 — Carrick, Raddysh, Othman, Berard: Who Stays, Who Goes Sorting through the bottom-six — who has value, who Sullivan doesn't trust, and who needs to clear a spot.1:01:44 — Connor Sheary: Find Him a New Home A Sully favorite, but his roster spot needs to go to younger players. Trade him for whatever you can get.1:03:20 — Kartye and Iorio: Low-Risk, High-Upside Additions Why claiming both off waivers was the right move, and how Iorio fits in as Morrow competition.1:05:48 — Prospects Turning Pro: Greentree, Aspinall, Fortescue, Lamb Who's expected to make the jump to Hartford this spring — and a reality check on prospect hype.1:08:41 — Closing: The Retool Is a Process, Not a Deadline Final thoughts and a reminder that more moves are coming all summer long.

Gabe Perreault's post-break breakout and what it means for the Rangers' rebuild.

dam Fox's murky comments about his future put his place in the retool under the microscope.

The full roster breakdown — who stays, who goes, new additions and which prospects could turn pro by spring.

Join host Jim Cerny on Rink Rap from Forever Blueshirts as we dive into all things New York Rangers hockey! In this episode, we recap the thrilling Olympic hockey action, including Mika Zibanejad's heroics for Sweden, Quinn Hughes' overtime winner for Team USA, and performances from JT Miller and Vincent Trocheck. We discuss the Rangers' Olympic break, injury updates on Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin, and the team's retooling strategy ahead of the March 6 trade deadline.Special guest Peter Baugh from The Athletic breaks down the Rangers' disappointing season, potential trades for players like Vincent Trocheck, Alexei Lafreniere, and Braden Schneider, the team's core (including Fox and Shesterkin), and coach Mike Sullivan's performance. Plus, insights on the women's gold medal game and the future of the franchise.Subscribe for more Rangers podcasts, analysis, and interviews. Follow us on X: @ForeverBlueShirts & @JimSarnie. Drop a like if you're a Blueshirts fan!#NYRangers #NHLTrades #OlympicsHockey #RangersPodcast #TradeDeadlineChapters:0:00 - Intro: Welcome to Rink Rap & Studio Update3:00 - Mustang Harry's Recap & Upcoming Live Shows5:00 - Olympic Break: Rangers Players in Action8:00 - Team USA vs. Sweden Quarterfinal Breakdown10:00 - Mika Zibanejad's Tournament Performance & Rangers Season Review12:00 - JT Miller & Vincent Trocheck's Roles on Team USA15:00 - Trade Deadline Preview: Roster Freeze Lifts & Potential Moves18:00 - Panarin Trade Analysis & Prospects Like Liam Greentree20:00 - Key Players to Watch: Trocheck, Lafreniere, Schneider22:00 - Upcoming Guests: Peter Baugh & Tony Granato24:00 - Interview Starts: Peter Baugh on Women's Gold Medal Game26:00 - Men's Olympics Recap & Exciting Quarterfinals28:00 - Rangers Practice Updates: Fox & Shesterkin Injury Returns30:00 - Impact of Injuries on the Season32:00 - Lack of Organizational Depth Exposed34:00 - Core Players for the Rebuild: Fox, Shesterkin & Young Talent36:00 - Trade Considerations: Zibanejad, Miller & No-Move Clauses38:00 - Alexei Lafreniere's Future & Trade Value40:00 - Lafreniere's Regression & Draft Pick Misses42:00 - Coach Sullivan's Performance & Team Buy-In44:00 - Front Office Decisions: When the Rebuild Started45:00 - Wrapping Up with Peter Baugh & Teaser for Tony Granato

Jim kicks off the show with the latest in Rangers trade rumors and how to go about a rebuild.

Peter Baugh joins Jim to talk about the USA Women's Hockey's stunning win in Milan and more about the future of the Rangers.

Former New York Ranger, four-time 30-goal scorer, and U.S. Olympic player and coach Tony Granato joins Rink Rap for an in-depth conversation recorded during the Milan Olympics.Tony breaks down the dramatic overtime quarterfinals, why he believes Team USA has the edge over Canada heading into the gold medal game, and what it was like coaching the 2018 Olympic squad with no NHL players. He also revisits his electric rookie season with the Rangers, the Calder Trophy debate with Brian Leetch, and what it felt like being part of the blockbuster trade that sent him to L.A. — where he got to skate alongside Gretzky.Tony also opens up about his cancer battle, his work with The Ranch — a Minnesota-based mental health and recovery facility for the hockey community founded in honor of Mark Pavelich — and why he believes no one, not even a professional athlete, is immune from life's hardest moments.This one covers a lot of ground. Don't miss it.🏒 Topics covered:2026 Milan Olympics hockey quarterfinal breakdownUSA vs. Canada gold medal previewThree-on-three overtime in Olympic play: Tony's honest takeCoaching Team USA at the 2018 Olympics without NHL playersTony's Rangers rookie year and the Calder Trophy race with Brian LeetchThe Bernie Nichols trade — what it felt like from the insidePlaying with Gretzky in L.A. and nearly winning the Cup in '93His sister Cammi Granato and the growth of women's hockeyTony's cancer survivorship and the Masterton TrophyThe Ranch: mental health and recovery support for the hockey community🔔 Subscribe to Rink Rap at Forever Blue Shirts for more Rangers and hockey content.Chapters:0:00 – Welcome & intro: Tony Granato's resume 0:33 – Olympic quarterfinals reaction: USA & Canada advance 3:00 – Three-on-three OT in the Olympics: Tony's honest take 4:00 – Sweden, Finland, Slovakia — don't sleep on the field 6:40 – USA vs. Canada gold medal game prediction 8:05 – Tony's experience as a 1988 Olympian vs. coaching in 2018 11:05 – Coaching the no-NHL-players 2018 U.S. team 13:20 – USA-Canada women's rivalry: the greatest in sports? 15:30 – What separates Team USA women heading into the gold medal game16:20 – Mark Johnson and the growth of college women's hockey 19:00 – Rangers fan question: Should Tony have won the Calder Trophy over Leetch? 21:00 – Tony's Rangers rookie record and what college prepared him for 24:55 – The Bernie Nichols trade: how Tony found out and what he felt 26:40 – Playing with Gretzky in L.A. and nearly winning the Cup 28:38 – Cancer survivorship and the Masterton Trophy 29:30 – The Ranch: mental health & recovery for the hockey community 33:00 – Mark Pavelich's legacy and why The Ranch exists 35:00 – Final thoughts on the Rangers' season ahead#TonyGranato #RinkRap #NYRangers #MilanOlympics2026 #TeamUSAHockey #USAvsCanada #OlympicHockey #ForeverBlueShirts #NHLHockey #HockeyPodcast #WomensHockey #MarkPavelich #TheRanch #HockeyMentalHealth #NewYorkRangers #Granato #USAHockey #NHLNetwork #HockeyHistory #BrianLeetch

Rink Rap goes LIVE from Mustang Harry's in NYC — just steps from Madison Square Garden! Jim Cerny breaks down the Artemi Panarin trade to LA, why Chris Drury was painted into a corner, and what comes next for the Rangers retool. Ted Kalamaras of NYRFans.com joins to debate the rebuild vs. retool, the Trocheck trade market, and whether Sullivan gets the green light to reshape this roster. Then NY Sirens head coach Greg Fargo stops by to talk about the PWHL's explosive growth, building through youth, the Sirens' push for their first-ever playoff berth, and their historic upcoming game at MSG.#NYR #Rangers #NYRangers #Panarin #RinkRap #ForeverBlueShirts #PWHL #NYSirens #MustangHarrys #NHL #HockeyChapters:0:00 – Live from Mustang Harry's in NYC 2:12 – Rangers at the Olympics: Trocheck, Miller, Mika & Sullivan 5:44 – Mika's bounce-back season & Igor's MVP case 12:17 – The Panarin trade: Jim's unpopular take on why Drury was cornered16:38 – Trocheck trade market & restocking the prospect pipeline25:55 – Ted joins: The 22-29-6 record and another retool letter 31:33 – Rebuild or retool? Ted says 50/50 33:06 – The stunning two-year freefall from 115 points & ECF 37:02 – Fox & Igor injuries sealed the season 41:06 – Is Drury the right guy? Dolan's all in — but is Sullivan?45:58 – Greg Fargo joins: Sirens playing at MSG on April 4th 48:22 – PWHL's explosive growth: 17,500 in DC, 20,000 in Toronto 55:09 – From Colgate to the pros — coaching the players he recruited 1:05:53 – Kaylee Osbourne's breakout as the Sirens' #1 goalie 1:13:06 – What it'll take to make the playoffs for the first time

Jim opens live from Mustang Harry's with Olympics updates, Mika's bounce-back season, Igor's MVP case, and a deep dive into why the Panarin trade played out the way it did. 

Ted joins to hash out the Panarin return, the potential Trocheck trade, Sullivan's role going forward, and whether this is a true rebuild or something in between.

The Sirens' head coach talks building the youngest roster in the league, the PWHL's rapid growth, chasing their first playoff spot, and their historic upcoming game at Madison Square Garden.

Former 1980 US Olympic "Miracle on Ice" hero and NY Rangers forward Rob McClanahan joins Rink Rrap to discuss the new Netflix documentary, his memories from Lake Placid, and his time playing at Madison Square Garden. Don't miss the US Olympic Hockey insight and memories of a Ranger star!Chapters:0:00 - Introduction & Olympic memories3:00 - Netflix "Miracle: The Boys of '80" documentary reaction6:45 - Herb Brooks' coaching style & team preparation11:20 - Playing college hockey at Minnesota15:43 - Transition to NY Rangers & NHL career20:15 - Playing with Don Maloney & Rangers teammates27:50 - Locker room stories & team characters30:00 - Olympic brotherhood & life lessons

980 Olympic gold medalist Rob McClanahan joins Jim to discuss the new Netflix documentary "Miracle: The Boys of '80," shares memories from Lake Placid, talks about Herb Brooks' intense coaching style, and reflects on what made that team special 46 years later.

Rob McClanahan opens up about his transition from Olympic hero to NY Rangers forward, playing alongside Don Maloney and Doug Soetaert, locker room pranks with Tommy Laidlaw, and the lasting brotherhood of both his Olympic teammates and NHL career.

Less than 24 hours before their Olympic opener, Team USA Women's Hockey General Manager Katie Million joins us from Milan to discuss the journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics. Katie shares insights on building a championship roster that blends veterans like Hillary Knight with seven current NCAA players, the impact of the PWHL on international competition, and why this tight-knit group has her feeling more confident than ever.We discuss the evolution of women's hockey beyond the traditional USA-Canada rivalry, the challenges of competing against rising powers like Czechia and Finland, and what makes this Olympic team's chemistry so special. Katie also opens up about the four-year journey since Beijing, the advantage of having rivalry series for roster evaluation, and why she believes they have "a team full of MVPs."Perfect for hockey fans and anyone interested in Olympic team building and the growing landscape of professional women's hockey.#TeamUSA #WomensHockey #Olympics #Milan2026 #HockeyPodcast #PWHL #HillaryKnight #KatieMillionsChapters:0:00 - Intro & Welcome 0:18 - Less Than 24 Hours to Opening Game: Managing Emotions 1:46 - Building Confidence Through the Rivalry Series 2:52 - Target on Their Back: Facing Canada and Rising Teams 3:25 - Czechia's Young Talent and the Klautin Kova Factor 3:48 - Women's Hockey Beyond USA vs Canada 4:22 - How the PWHL Changed International Competition 5:05 - Roster Decisions: Who Gets Cut and Why 6:35 - Team Chemistry and What Makes This Group Special 7:50 - Role of Veterans: Hillary Knight's Legacy 8:40 - Coaching Staff and Their Olympic Experience 10:08 - Game Plan Strategy for Milan 11:15 - Physical vs Finesse: Team USA's Playing Style 13:05 - Mixing Veterans with College Players 14:57 - "We Have a Team Full of MVPs" 15:23 - Comparing Roster Building with Men's Team (Billy Guerin) 16:24 - Final Thoughts and Hillary Knight's Last Olympics

Former New York Rangers captain Derek Stepan joins Rink Rap for an incredible conversation about his hockey journey. From his legendary NHL debut hat trick to becoming a player development coach with the Minnesota Wild, Derek shares stories Rangers fans have been waiting to hear.In this episode, Derek discusses:How he landed his role with the Wild after retiringLife as a player development coach and what he looks for in prospectsThe 2014 Sochi Olympics experience and adopting a Russian stray dogHis time as Rangers captain during the 2014 seasonPlaying alongside Henrik Lundqvist and the leadership lessons learnedWhy he decided to retire and transition away from playingThe funny side of the Rangers locker room Derek also discusses knowing when it was time to hang up the skates, adapting to life after hockey, and his gratitude to Bill Guerin for the opportunity in Minnesota. Whether you're a die-hard Rangers fan or just love hockey stories, this conversation with one of New York's most beloved players is a must-watch.#DerekStepan #NYRangers #NewYorkRangers #MinnesotaWild #NHL #HockeyPodcast #ForeverBlueshirtChapters:0:00 - Welcome & Introduction 1:00 - How Derek landed with the Minnesota Wild 4:00 - Living in Minnesota & working with Bill Guerin 8:30 - Transition from playing to player development 12:45 - What Derek looks for in prospects 18:20 - Evaluating young players vs. his playing days 23:15 - The business side of hockey post-retirement 28:40 - Rangers memories & the 2014 season 35:50 - Days of being Rangers star 42:10 - Leadership lessons from Henrik Lundqvist 48:25 - The 2014 Sochi Olympics experience 54:30 - Meeting Russian fans & adopting a stray dog 1:02:15 - Favorite Olympic moments beyond hockey 1:08:45 - The Sochi dog story continues 1:12:00 - Funniest teammates: Staal, Boyle, Yandle & Zuccarello 1:16:00 - Wrap up & future episode plans

Derek discusses his transition to the Minnesota Wild's player development staff, how neighbor Bill Guerin gave him his shot, and what he looks for when evaluating prospects in his new role.

Step shares stories from the 2014 Cup run, what it meant to be a New York Ranger, his unforgettable Sochi Olympics experience, and the funniest guys in the Rangers locker room.

In this episode of Rink Rap, host Jim Cerny dives into the New York Rangers' decision to raise the white flag on a disappointing season with "Letter 2.0," signaling a roster retool just eight years after the first rebuild. Jim shares personal stories from both announcements and discusses key players like Artemi Panarin, Igor Shesterkin, and Mika Zibanejad. Joined by insider Dave Pagnotta from The Fourth Period, they break down trade rumors, potential deals, and the team's path forward, including strategies for the trade deadline and offseason. Essential listening for Rangers fans navigating this pivotal moment.Chapters:00:00 – Intro and welcome to Rink Rap podcast01:03 – Rangers announce roster retool with Letter 2.002:04 – Discussion on Panarin's no-move clause and potential trade04:51 – Need for younger, faster players and scoring depth07:58 – Jim's story from 2018 rebuild announcement at Prudential Center08:47 – Jim's story from recent announcement while driving to Princeton11:23 – Emphasis on trading beyond Panarin and Susie14:54 – Critique of no-move clauses in contracts16:57 – Key players to listen on trades like Trocheck, Schneider, Lafreniere43:11 – Guest Dave Pagnotta joins to discuss trade strategies43:27 – Offseason possibilities and not rushing everything pre-deadline44:55 – Summer retool outlook and laying groundwork for future deals49:53 – Lafreniere's trade value and challenges in matching returns52:36 – Priority on acquiring NHL-ready talent over just draft picks55:43 – Final questions: Panarin's likely return and destinations56:05 – Intel on Panarin trade timing, retention, and potential landing spots#NYRangers #NHLTrades #RangersRetool #ArtemiPanarin #TradeDeadline #HockeyPodcast #ForeverBlueShirts #NHLRumors #RinkRap

Jim Cerny talks all things Blueshirts as the season approaches the Olympic Freeze. Who's on the trade block, who's untouchable and more deep Rangers discussion.