The Rangers' Trio That Will Dictate The Team's Success

The New York Rangers’ potential line of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafrenière can make or break how productive their offense is this upcoming season. 

During the 2023-24 season, the trio of Panarin, Trocheck and Lafrenière were one of the most lethal in the NHL, as all three players posted career high in points. 

However, they didn’t spark that same magic through the course of the 2024-25 campaign and were even split up for periods of time. 

We may see this trio back together and their success will be crucial to the Rangers. 

With Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, and Wil Cuylle will likely make up the team’s defensive shutdown role, which means Panarin, Trocheck, and Lafrenière will have to be the driving force of the offense. 

Panarin is just one season removed from recording 120 points, and his superstar level of play helps elevate Trocheck and Lafrenière to an exponentially different level. 

These three also each have a lot to prove. 

First off, Panarin is entering the season without a contract extension, so there’s an element of uncertainty when it comes to his future with the Rangers. 

After earning a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension, Lafrenière struggled and saw his production take a massive dropoff. Lafrenière is out to prove he’s not only worth the money, but he can still meet the expectations that were placed upon him when he was selected with the first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. 

Trocheck can prove this upcoming year that he’s still a surefire top-two center on a playoff caliber team. 

The Rangers playoff and Stanley Cup aspirations may very well be dedicated if these three players can all get on the same page with each other.