Advertise on podcast: Rink Rap | A New York Rangers Podcast from Forever Blueshirts

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

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!