Rink Rap | A New York Rangers Podcast from Forever Blueshirts

NY Rangers Mid-Season Review: Is the Future "Not-So-Pretty"?In this episode of Rink Rap, we’re joined by Lou Orlando from Forever Blueshirts to take a deep dive into the state of the New York Rangers at the halfway point of the season. We cover everything from the highs and lows of the first half to the massive decisions looming for the front office.We break down whether the current roster construction can hold up, grade the performance of GM Chris Drury and Head Coach Mike Sullivan, and tackle the biggest question in Rangerstown: What happens with pending free agent Artemi Panarin?In This Episode:First Half Review: A look back at the key storylines and player performances that defined the season so far.Job Grades: We put Chris Drury and Mike Sullivan under the microscope. Are they the right duo to lead this core?The Panarin Situation: Analyzing the best options for the Rangers with Artemi Panarin heading toward free agency.Big Picture Outlook: A candid look at why the Rangers' long-term future might not be as bright as fans hope.Chapters:00:00 Welcome and holiday greetings 02:50 Reviewing Rangers' first half performance 03:40 JT Miller's underperformance and injury 06:50 Core centers and leadership breakdown 14:40 Youth trial runs and prospects 17:15 Reactions to Nashville "stinker" loss 24:30 Playoff outlook and murky middle 31:30 Grading GM Chris Drury 40:00 The Artemi Panarin dilemma 48:00 Potential Panarin trade scenarios 53:00 Grading Coach Mike Sullivan 56:50 Shesterkin's elite play and window 59:30 Final thoughts on youth development 01:05:00 Show wrap up and holidays#NYR #NewYorkRangers #RangersHockey #NHL #ChrisDrury #MikeSullivan #ArtemiPanarin #LGR #RinkRap #ForeverBlueshirts

Jim and Lou run through the highs and lows of the first half as the Rangers steam toward the holiday break. What went right, what went wrong and what's to come? All the Rangers talk you can handle this holiday season!

Jim and Lou grade the GM and coach after the first half. Have they done enough and what can do they do better? Also, the guys talk about the future of Panarin as a Blueshirt.

Dive into the latest New York Rangers action! We break down J.T. Miller's heroics as "Captain Clutch" in overtime, the team's ongoing struggles at Madison Square Garden, and celebrate Gabe Perreault's long-awaited first NHL goal while skating on the third line with Noah Laba. Plus, why rookies Perreault, Brennan Othmann, and Scott Morrow are still earning Coach Mike Sullivan's trust.Next, we debate Sullivan's tough call to scratch Mika Zibanejad for missing a team meeting and take a deep dive into why the Rangers remain stuck in the NHL's "murky middle" — with a legitimate shot at the playoffs despite the inconsistencies.Finally, a preview of the grueling three games in four nights before the holiday break, including why Saturday's crucial home matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers could make or break momentum heading into the Christmas pause. Blueshirt fans, this one's packed with analysis and hot takes!Chapters:00:00 - Intro02:30 - Holiday shopping banter; transition to Rangers focus and recent storylines06:10Week recap: JT Miller’s two OT winners (vs Montreal and St. Louis); low-scoring games; returns of Kreider/Truba to MSG; losses to Anaheim/Vancouver; Mika Zibanejad scratched; Panarin out sick; Adam Fox nearing return07:15Rookies called up: Gabe Perreault’s first NHL goal (deflection); Brennan Othmann also recalled12:30Deep dive on JT Miller as “Captain Clutch”: 3 OT goals this season, direct hand in 5 of 6 Rangers OT wins, historic note (most OT goals by US-born player – 17), heavy shot praised by Mike Sullivan17:00Mika Zibanejad scratched for missing meeting (car accident excuse); host expected bigger response/game from Mika after scratch but felt it was underwhelming; defends Mika’s overall effort/leadership this season vs last year 18:30Continued home struggles at MSG (shut out 6 times in 17 home games); losses to bottom-feeders like Vancouver 28:30 (approx. end of first major segment)29:00 Was Sullivan right to scratch Zibanejad? Bigger picture: Rangers in the “murky middle” of the East – parity, mediocre teams, legitimate playoff chance despite flaws39:00 Continued “murky middle” analysis: no dominant teams chasing wild cards; Rangers mentally tougher this year 50:00Wrap-up of murky middle thoughts; tight standings (40 pts for top wild card down to 34 pts for last place)50:00 Preview of upcoming games: crucial home game vs Flyers on Saturday (head-to-head, 4-point swing potential); need to reverse home woes and beat direct competitors56:00Sunday at Nashville (must beat weaker teams); Tuesday vs Washington (tougher but divisional); finishing 7 games in 11 days strong before holiday break 57:00Closing thoughts: Rangers play up to elite teams but need to beat the mediocre ones; holiday wishes; outro and call to subscribe/visit ForeverBlueShirts.com

JT Miller came up big — again! Plus, we talk about the Rangers struggles at home and much, much more.

Jim talks about the hub-bub around the scratch of Mika Zibanejad on Monday night + the Rangers in the "murky middle."

Jim talks about Rangers big game vs. Flyers as they head into the holiday break.

On a special Friday edition of Rink Rap, Jim is joined by NHL Network's E.J. Hradek. The NHL has never been this wide-open – we dive into historic league-wide parity and map the Rangers’ clearest path back to the postseason in a brutal Metro.Inside the episode:Looming Panarin decision: keep the Breadman or move him before he hits free agency? (Spoiler: the return might sting)Metro madness + early playoff race breakdownPenguins-Oilers goalie swap dissectedWill J.T. Miller make Team USA for the 2026 Olympics under Mike Sullivan? If he’s snubbed, how awkward does it get in the Rangers room?All the angles on the Rangers’ season and the flat-out wild NHL landscape, in under an hour. Let’s go.

From wild 2011 Europe trip tales (Gaborik billboards & Hank hysteria) to breaking down the Rangers' infuriating OT loss in Vegas, how the team aced a tough week, Gustafsson trade buzz, Perreault vs. Sheary debate, Trouba's controversial check, and a quick lookahead to the next two games.

Jim talks about the TERRIBLE call against Rangers vs. Vegas and the latest Gustafsson trade rumors.

Jim asks the questions and ponders the answer on Perreault and Sheary!

Former New York Rangers forward and two-time Ranger Dominic Moore joins Jim Cerny on the Rink Rap podcast for an emotional and entertaining deep dive into his career.Dom shares:His favorite Madison Square Garden & Broadway momentsKnocking Mark Messier on his backside in his first training campEric Lindros taking him shopping to upgrade his rookie wardrobeHenrik Lundqvist’s arrival and why he was always “The King”The flight home after losing the 2014 Stanley Cup Final in double OTScoring the 2014 Eastern Conference-clinching goal vs Montreal in Game 6Heartfelt memories of the late Larry BrooksLife as a TV analyst for the Utah Hockey Club with Matty McConnellA must-watch for Rangers fans and anyone who loves great hockey stories!🔔 Subscribe to Forever Blueshirts for more Rangers legends, analysis, and podcasts!https://www.youtube.com/@ForeverBlueshirts

Two-time Rangers player Dominic Moore, who now works TV for the Utah Mammoth, joins Jim Cerny with memories of his days in New York and much more!

Jim continues his conversation with Tim and talks about his TV role with the Utah Mammoth.

Jonathan Quick channels his prime with a 40-save clinic against Detroit—only for the Rangers to blow it, sparking his epic bench brawl. We unpack the Blueshirts' 1-7-1 Garden nightmare, preview a brutal road trip, eye December's home-heavy slate, break down Perreault's minors return, and rave about Scott Morrow's debut.

In segment one, we talk about how it was a crime Rangers didn't get Jonathan Quick a win Sunday night, he was unreal, turned back the clock with a 40-save outing—also, touched on the reasons for him charging of the bench after final buzzer and starting "brawl" with Red Wings.

Jim closes out the show, addressing the horror that is the Rangers at home at Madison Square Garden, and why the first few weeks in December may be pivotal because the Blueshirts play many more home games. We close by breaking down the decision to send Gabe Perreault back to the minors, and how defenseman Scott Morrow looked Sunday in his Rangers debut.

The hockey world lost Hall of Fame writer Larry Brooks on Thursday, and Jim Cerny is joined by former New York Rangers GM Neil Smith, remembering the influential writer. Smith talks about his relationship with Brooks and how hockey writers fit into the hockey culture. Smith also offers commentary on the current New York Rangers and what the team may be missing for the 2025-26 season. A tribute to one of the great writers in NHL history from two insiders who knew him well.

In this episode of the Rink Rap Podcast from Forever Blueshirts, host Jim Cerny dives into the New York Rangers' frustrating 0-5-1 start at Madison Square Garden, breaking down their dominant yet scoreless performance against the Hurricanes and what might be holding them back. We also look ahead to the upcoming schedule, including a pivotal matchup with the Islanders, and discuss potential lineup tweaks like Connor Mackey's debut.Later, Islanders beat writer Stefan Rosner joins to chat about Matthew Schaefer's seamless transition to the NHL at just 18—his poise, perspective, and early impact—plus thoughts on reigniting the Rangers-Islanders rivalry. Is this the game that snaps the Blueshirts out of their home funk?Timestamps:0:00 - Intro & MLB/NFL Offseason Vibes2:56 - Rangers vs. Hurricanes Breakdown14:50 - Lineup Updates & Vincent Trocheck Feature23:00 - Schedule Preview: Red Wings, Lightning & More26:38 - Stefan Rosner Interview: Schaefer's Rise36:20 - Reviving the Battle of Hudson Rivalry45:15 - Rangers' Home Woes & Game PredictionsSubscribe for weekly Rangers insights, analysis, and guest episodes.Keep up with New York Rangers news: https://www.foreverblueshirts.comFollow Forever Blueshirts!Facebook: Forever BlueshirtsTwitter: @4everblueshirtsInstagram: @Forever_Blueshirts

We're back with a new show, and the Rangers STILL haven't won a game on home ice. We talk about that and the recent loss to the Hurricanes.