Explore every episode of the podcast Rink Rap | A New York Rangers Podcast from Forever Blueshirts

Jim Cerny and Newsday's Colin Stephenson break down the Rangers' four-game winning streak and the buzz back at Madison Square Garden. They cover Chris Drury's offseason, why the fast start looks sustainable, how Mike Sullivan turned Alexis Lafrenière into a complete player, Cole Beaudoin's NHL debut, Braden Schneider's prove-it season, J.T. Miller's leadership and whether the Rangers' new depth can hold up to injuries.

Chapters:

0:00 Rangers Start Hot

4:30 Drury's summer

8:20 Is it sustainable

16:53 Lafrenière's growth

24:15 Beaudoin's debut

29:36 Schneider's prove-it year

31:35 J.T. Miller

37:50 Rangers depth

Dylan Garand cleared waivers Monday and is headed back to the Hartford Wolfpack for a fifth season. Jim Cerny explains why the decision was made the day Chris Drury traded for Joonas Korpisalo on July 1, and why losing Garand would have left Spencer Martin as the next goalie up behind Igor Shesterkin.

Also in this episode:
- The three goalies who did get claimed: Clay Stevenson (Winnipeg), Levi Merilainen (Vancouver) and Poirier (New Jersey)
- How Garand handles going back to Hartford after saying he didn't plan to
- Albert Schmitz makes the team and debuts Tuesday
- Scott Morrow vs. Matthew Robertson for the extra defenseman spot
- Taylor Raddysh clears waivers, and Matt Rempe is in the lineup on opening night

The Rangers open the 2026-27 season Tuesday night in Boston against the Bruins on ESPN.

Read the full season preview and staff predictions at Forever Blueshirts.

Chapters:
00:00 Opening night is here
00:17 Garand and Raddysh clear waivers
(01:41) Why the Korpisalo trade decided it
(02:50) Drury and the veteran backup pattern
(04:01) Sullivan's "difficult decision"
(05:42) The goalies who got claimed
(08:11) Why losing Garand would have hurt
(09:19) Is Korpisalo the right No. 2?
(11:01) Best-case scenario for the Rangers
(12:15) How does Garand respond?
(16:41) Albert Schmitz makes the team
(18:02) Morrow, Robertson and the extra D
(19:39) Rempe in, opening night lineup
(20:17) Wrap and season preview

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The Rangers are two preseason games into a short camp. Opening night against Boston is next Tuesday, and Jim Cerny runs through who's up and who's down.

Adam Sykora will miss 4-5 months with a lower-body injury from Monday's game against the Devils. Jim didn't see a path for Sykora to the opening-night roster, but his energy and leadership will be missed in Hartford. The upside is depth. Eeli Tolvanen joins the bottom six, and Liam Greentree and Cole Beaudoin are pushing from the AHL.

Alberts Smits is the story of camp. The No. 5 overall pick has skated with the NHL group and alongside Braden Schneider every day. After his poised preseason debut against the Islanders, Jim thinks he has the inside track. Jim also covers:

• Where Smits' arrival leaves Matthew Robertson, Drew Fortescue and Scott Morrow
• What Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson change on the second pair
• The last fourth-line spot, between Taylor Raddysh, Matt Rempe and Jaroslav Chmelar
• Whether the Rangers carry three goalies to protect Dylan Garand
• Why Pavel Dorofeyev might be the Rangers' first true sniper since Marian Gaborik, and a J.T. Miller who looks energized

Plus updates on former Rangers Brennan Othmann, Jonny Brodzinski, Carson Soucy and Cam Talbot.

Coming up: Rink Rap is recording at Mustang Harry's near Madison Square Garden to kick off the season. Watch Forever Blueshirts on X for details, and read more at ForeverBlueshirts.com.

Jim Cerny is joined by Russ Cohen of Sportsology and NHL Prospects Radio to break down the Rangers' rookie series against the Philadelphia Flyers.

They cover Alberts Smits' two-game showing as the Rangers' No. 5 overall pick, Drew Fortescue playing his off side on defense, Dylan Roobroeck's physical bounce-back performance, and the development of Liam Greentree and Cole Beaudoin. They also dig into the goaltending, with both Danai Shaiikov and Callum Tung standing out, plus the chemistry between Adam Sykora and Tomas Chrenko. The guys wrap with a look ahead to what to watch at Rangers training camp.

Chapters:
 0:00 Intro and Rangers-Flyers rookie series recap
 0:55 Russ Cohen joins the show
 5:39 Big-picture overview of the rookie series
 7:21 Alberts Smits breakdown
 13:52 Drew Fortescue playing his off side
 17:14 Dylan Roobroeck's bounce-back game
 19:44 Cole Beaudoin update and injury note
 24:00 Rangers' need for top-six skill
 26:49 Liam Greentree's two-way game
 29:51 Adam Sykora and Tomas Chrenko chemistry
 33:56 2026 draft class overview
 39:36 Goaltending: Danai Shaiikov and Callum Tung
 43:34 Looking ahead to Rangers training camp

Follow more Rangers coverage at foreverblueshirts.com and follow Russ Cohen's work at Sportsology and NHL Prospects Radio.

This is the Rink Rap podcast, part of the Forever Blueshirts network.

Hockey is back, and Jim Cerny is rolling into rookie camp week on Rink Rap from Forever Blueshirts.

The Rangers rookies play the Flyers on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. at PPL Center in Allentown. Cerny previews the first look at No. 5 pick Alberts Smits, Tomas Chrenko’s next step, Liam Greentree’s first Rangers sweater, and whether Cole Beaudoin can pull a Noah Laba and crash opening night.

Then it’s the roster questions that will follow this team into training camp: Eeli Tolvanen’s one-year fit next to Laba and Will Cuylle, why some fans want Cuylle in the top six with J.T. Miller and Pavel Dorofeyev, where Oliver Bjorkstrand lands, and why a Mika Zibanejad slump would be New York’s worst-case scenario after Vincent Trocheck’s departure.

Read the latest at ForeverBlueshirts.com

Jim on X: @JimCerny

Forever Blueshirts on X: @ForeverBluShirt

Chapters
0:00 Welcome to Rink Rap
0:47 More on Eeli Tolvanen
1:33 Rookie camp and Allentown schedule
2:29 First look at Alberts Smits
4:01 Ivy League polo and ESPN+
6:04 Johnny Lazarus and the Ranger tie
6:56 Why the Rangers delayed the rookie roster
9:15 Tomas Chrenko watch
11:58 Liam Greentree and Cole Beaudoin
12:40 Can Beaudoin pull a Noah Laba?
16:18 Nathan Aspinall and the next wave
17:32 Tolvanen deep dive with Rob Simpson
23:20 Cuylle, Laba and Tolvanen on the third line
23:41 Should Will Cuylle play in the top six?
25:52 Cuylle with J.T. Miller and Pavel Dorofeyev
27:00 Keeping Zibanejad, Lafrenière and Perreault together
28:08 Oliver Bjorkstrand’s role
32:54 Mika Zibanejad worst-case scenario
38:37 Weekend games, training camp and the Boston opener

September hockey is finally here. On this edition of the Rink Rap Podcast, Jim Cerny digs into the Rangers' latest offseason move: the one-year, $1.5 million signing of winger Eeli Tolvanen. Jim explains why Chris Drury waiting out a market that never developed for Tolvanen worked in the Rangers' favor, and why a rough underlying-numbers season in Seattle shouldn't scare fans off a player who's scored 23 goals and 41 points in a single season before.

Jim breaks down how Tolvanen slots into a projected third line with Will Cujo and Noah Laba, how the signing pushes Ty Cartier down to a much-improved fourth line, and why these short, affordable one-year deals (Tolvanen, Bjorkstrand, Veleno) are smart, low-risk business for a Rangers team still searching for top-end firepower. He also responds to fan criticism from both sides — those who think he's "drinking the Kool-Aid" and those who call him a "hater" — and lays out where he really stands on the Rangers' chances this season.

Plus: a preview of rookie camp and the Rangers-Flyers rookie games kicking off next week, the first-year prospects to watch (Liam Greentree, Nathan Aspinall, Cole Beaudoin, Malcolm Spence), and why only four preseason games this year means fewer chances to evaluate the kids. Jim wraps with a Labor Day sign-off and a look ahead to training camp.

Subscribe and follow along all season at ForeverBlueShirts.com, and follow Jim Cerny on X and Facebook @ForeverBlueShirts.

Timecodes

0:00 – Intro: hockey is back in September
 1:59 – Housekeeping: shorter show, thanks for the support
 4:57 – Rangers sign Eeli Tolvanen (1 year, $1.5M)
 7:07 – Why Tolvanen's market never developed
 9:23 – Tarasenko comparison and why he's not the right fit
 9:52 – Projected third line: Cooley, Laba, Tolvanen
 11:31 – Tolvanen's rough 2025-26 analytics explained
 15:36 – Why one-year "bounce-back" deals make sense 
 19:16 – Addressing fan pushback: "Kool-Aid" vs. "hater" criticism
 25:11 – Where the Rangers stack up in the Metro/Atlantic
 28:22 – Rookie camp and prospects to watch next week
 34:11 – Preseason format change: only 4 games this year
 39:04 – Labor Day sign-off and what's coming next week

Jim Cerny is back from a week off and welcomes Dan D'Uva, the radio voice of the Vegas Golden Knights, for an in-depth look at the Pavel Dorofeyev trade. D'Uva breaks down why Vegas moved on from their leading goal scorer, what he brings to a Rangers lineup starved for scoring, how he compares to guys like Nikita Kucherov in adjusting to a new language and market, and whether he can produce without setups from Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. Along the way, Jim and Dan swap stories about broadcast booths and arenas around the league (catwalks, gondolas, and the infamous Johnstown press box), and Dan reflects on growing up a Devils fan in Jersey, chasing Doc Emrick and Mike Miller with a tape recorder, and how the 1994 Rangers-Devils series shaped his hockey fandom.

Chapters:

00:00 – Cold open / intro
 00:15 – Jim welcomes listeners back from vacation, brings on Dan Duva
 00:48 – Dan Duva introduced, voice of the Vegas Golden Knights
 01:02 – Jim's Canadian Rockies trip and the new Calgary arena
 01:45 – Catwalk vs. no-catwalk broadcast booths
 02:35 – Ranking arenas by broadcast position (Islanders, old vs. new buildings)
 04:16 – Edmonton's gondola/press bridge that never got built
 04:56 – T-Mobile Arena vs. Little Caesars Arena, hopes for new Calgary arena
 04:57 (5:00ish) – Saddledome and the gondola view of warmups
 05:31 – Johnstown, PA and the Slap Shot broadcast booth story
 06:59 – Wrapping up the arena talk, back to hockey
 07:12 – Dan's Jersey/Devils roots growing up in Nutley
 08:22 – The 1994 Rangers-Devils series and Stefan Matteau/Seinfeld reference
 09:11 – The '95 lockout and Devils' Stanley Cup win
 09:39 – Broadcasting practice tapes as a teenager, Ridgewood high school hockey
 10:22 – Pestering Devils broadcasters (Mike Miller, Randy Velischek, Chico Resch)
 14:52 – Transition into the Pavel Dorofeyev trade discussion
 15:36 – Did Duva see the trade coming / draft-day reaction
 17:01 – Salary cap situation and why Vegas moved on from Dorofeyev
 19:22 – Dorofeyev's power play production and Viktor Olofsson's arrival
 21:16 – Playoff scoring surge and comparison to Brett Howden
 23:33 – White House visit story and Dorofeyevs drive to be a champion
 26:00 – Comparing Dorofeyev to Nikita Kucherov's English/language journey
 30:00 – Ivan Barbashev's influence and personality contrast
 33:00 – Igor Shesterkin comparison and "I don't speak English" bit
 34:33 – What Dorofeyev brings on the power play and even strength
 36:35 – Can Dorofeyev be trusted in all situations (Mike Sullivan's demands)
 42:39 – John Tortorella's role in Dorofeev's late-season push
 47:54 – Whether Dorofeyev needs elite setup men (Eichel/Marner) to produce
 52:17 – Reily Smith's "buy stock in Dorofeyev" story
 56:17 – Handling the pressure of a big Rangers contract and market
 1:00:20 – Comparing Dorofeyev's stage experience to Jack Eichel's Vegas arrival
 1:03:23 – Ryan Craig named new Golden Knights head coach, background
 1:05:10 – John Tortorella's arrival in Vegas, building early rapport
 1:07:00 – The Cape Cod/Maine connection that broke the ice with Tortorella
 1:11:16 – What Tortorella hates: the "non-question question"
 1:16:33 – How Tortorella made Duva a better interviewer, contrast with Bruce Cassidy
 1:20:33 – Tortorella's return to MSG and the "family" story with Jim's son
 1:23:24 – Carter Hart's relationship with Tortorella from Philadelphia
 1:25:57 – Closing thanks and sign-off

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 episode

3:00 — Banff trip teaser and a throwback Calgary story from Cerny's Islanders broadcasting days

13:45 — Training camp overview: four preseason games, September 29 opener

14:20 — Why it's OK if Greentree, Bodwin, or Schmidt don't make the opening roster

15:00 — The Noah Laba blueprint: how he earned his spot last year

19:00 — Fewer preseason games means tougher, faster decisions this year

22:00 — Oliver Bjorkstrand signing as a "placeholder" veteran option

27:30 — The Matt Rempe question: fourth-line spot, waiver status, and his under-the-radar offseason

38:30 — Battle for the final bottom-six/13th forward spot: Sykora, Tychonick, Rempe

41:00 — Albert Schmidt and the case for patience with 18-year-old prospects

46:15 — 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 – Intro
0:48 – Hart Levine joins
1:39 – Origin story of PuckPedia (2018)
3:16 – How the site exploded after the competition folded
5:38 – “Welcome to the league” moments & recognition from teams/agents
11:22 – Wild offseason & free-agency trends with the rising cap
16:41 – Offer sheets: Carlsson, Hayton, threats vs. actual deals
21:00 – Rangers’ big decisions: Perreault, Cuylle, Schneider
32:04 – Pavel Dorofeyev’s 7-year, $11M deal analyzed
36:00 – Avoiding the mushy middle & Rangers’ path forward

Subscribe 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 #RinkRap

Chapters:

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 #HockeyPodcast

Chapters:

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.com

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro: Rangers & Draft Week Context
0:57 - Chris Peters Joins: FloHockey Draft Expert
1:20 - Rangers' History of Blown Top Picks (Lafreniere, Kaco, Sanderson)
3:48 - Why Pick No. 5 Is Actually a Good Spot This Year
5:54 - Development Decisions Matter as Much as the Draft Pick
8:04 - Carson Carlson: Should He Turn Pro or Go to North Dakota?
10:00 - College Path vs. AHL: The New Development Landscape
11:33 - Who's Likely Gone Before No. 5? (Stenberg, Reed, McKenna)
13:08 - Malhotra, Carlson, Smiths & Who Falls to the Rangers
15:11 - Ronan Smiths: Most NHL-Ready Prospect in the Class?
16:34 - Smiths' Personality & Pro Maturity
17:53 - Carlson vs. Reed: Breaking Down the Two Top D-Men
20:44 - 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 Spotlight
33:58 - Goodbye to Chris Peters; Teaser for Segment 2
35:54 - Segment 2: Jim Solo — Dylan Granlund Re-Signed
38:34 - Should Rangers Sign a Veteran Backup Goalie in Free Agency?
42:00 - Brady Kachuk Trade: How It Affects New York
45:18 - The Case for Patrick Laine on a Prove-It Deal
51:13 - Why Anthony Mantha Is a Hard Pass for the Rangers
52:53 - Florida Panthers With Both Kachuks & Barkov: A Scary Team
1:01:44 - Kevin Stanlec: A Sleeper Free Agent Target for the Rangers
1:06:00 - Lava–Carter–Cooley Third Line Vision
1:07:00 - NHL Notes: Babcock Cleared, Darren Raddysh to Toronto
1:08:14 - 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 #CarolinaHurricanes

Chapters:

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 #StanleyCup

Chapters: 

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.com

Chapters:

0:00 — Rangers faithful, welcome back to the offseason grind

1:53 — Why Keith Kavanaugh of PuckPedia is the perfect guest this week

5:00 — Carolina vs. Vegas: do Rangers fans even have a horse in this race?

5:45 — The perfect storm brewing for John Tortorella in Vegas

9:44 — K'Andre Miller's massive role in the Final—and his Rangers baggage

12:00 — Are you rooting for Miller? For or against Torts?

12:39 — Keith Kavanaugh joins the show

13:24 — A barren free agent class and what it means for Drury

18:46 — Defining the Rangers' real competitive window before chasing Tuch

20:05 — Breaking down why K'Andre Miller exploded in Carolina

24:20 — Is Braden Schneider part of the future or a trade chip?

27:06 — The No. 5 pick and where the retool actually starts

28:31 — Draft prospects and the case for a prospect swap

32:05 — 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 predictions

47:50 — Wrapping with Keith, back for the final segment

49:20 — Rangers at the IIHF World Championship: Finland gold and Blueshirt takeaways

53:13 — 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's

2:08 — Rangers fall to No. 5, Toronto wins the lottery

6:30 — Charlie Coyle re-signs with Columbus

9:30 — Why Drury must nail the Trocheck trade

13:00 — Minnesota, Detroit, and LA as Trocheck fits

15:30 — Report card fallout: Drury's D, Sully's B-minus

22:00 — The Lafrenière burden isn't going away

25:30 — A Pavel Dorofeev offer sheet pipe dream

28:15 — James Nichols joins: misery loves company

31:00 — The cursed Chicago dinner that broke the Devils

35:00 — Markstrom vs. Shesterkin

39:30 — Quinn Hughes saga and the end of Tom Fitzgerald

44:30 — Sizing up new Devils GM Sunny Mehta

52:00 — The Metro is wide open behind Carolina

55:30 — 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 #LetsGoRangers

Chapters: 

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 Stake

32:00 – 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 #NHLOffseason

Chapters:

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 Manhattan

Subscribe, 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 hockey

4:14 — Rangers' late-season surge — four wins in five, the kids finding their footing, and the mindset shift taking hold

10:46 — Gabe Perreault's historic natural hat trick — first by a Rangers rookie in 42 years, and what it reveals about his game

14:23 — Did the Panarin trade unlock a new identity? Jim poses the question he plans to put to his guests

17:17 — Jonny Lazarus of Daily Faceoff joins live at Mustang Harry's, fresh out of the Rangers locker room

19:29 — How much stock do you put in what you see down the stretch? Zero on the vets, everything on the kids

24:21 — 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 retool

29:43 — Brady Tkachuk trade rumors and the growing trend of American players wanting out of Canada

34:11 — 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 year

39:27 — Trocheck trade talk: Lazarus says it happens this summer, and explains why Vinny's probably already mentally moved on

42:06 — Lou Orlando joins — Rangers depth talk picks up with Jaroslav Hamelash and Adam Sýkora's surprising emergence

45:51 — What happens to Matt Rempe? The fourth line picture has shifted significantly

52:14 — Rangers prospect pipeline check

56:41 — Shifting to the Sirens: the historic first PWHL game at MSG is a sellout, and what it means for the league

1:00:27 — The Sirens' market challenge — winning in New York requires winning on the ice, and Saturday is a massive showcase moment

1:03:52 — 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.

CHAPTERS

0:00 — 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