“The core is fractured,” 6x Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier breaks down NY Rangers’ struggles in 2024-25 season

Mark Messier believes that the core of the New York Rangers is fractured at the moment, resulting in their massive slump this season.

“The core is fractured,” 6x Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier breaks down NY Rangers’ struggles in 2024-25 season

Mark Messier (Image via Newsday)

The 2024-25 season is turning out to be one to forget for the New York Rangers. After winning the President’s Trophy last season and starting the season well, the New York side have stumbled hard. Former Rangers captain and 6-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier has now claimed that the core of the team is fractured.

After starting with a record of 12-4-1, the Rangers have seen a massive decline in form. Following a heavy 7-4 defeat against the Washington Capitals on Saturday, the team are now 17-20-1 and seventh in the Metropolitan Division.

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During the game, Messier discussed about the team’s slump. He reflected on how he left the Rangers after the team did not want him.

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He claimed that he could not play under the circumstances where he felt there was no loyalty and trust among the team ownership and management. “The Messiah” expressed that there is a lack of trust and loyalty among the current Rangers’ team management and coach.

I think right now the core of the Rangers is fractured. And I don’t think they’re fractured internally, but I think there’s a disconnect between management and the coaching staff, there’s a lack of trust and loyalty right now.

Mark Messier on ESPN

Messier further claimed that the team can turn this slump around. However, he warned the team that it will not be easy for them.

During this slump, the Rangers have traded away Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko. Despite this roster moves, there has been no change in fortunes of the team. Since November 21, they are 5-16-0 and have lost five of their last six games.

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Are the New York Rangers done for the 2024-25 season?

After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the New York Rangers seemed set to be making another strong run in the 2024-25 campaign. However, a major slump has now seen them fall from the top, leading to many wondering whether their season is done.

Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers
A snippet from the Capitals-Rangers game (Image via NY Post)

While they are currently seventh in the standings, the team have lost goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers, who recently extended his contract, have placed him on the injured reserve list with an upper-body issue. As per analyst Martin Biron, the Rangers are done for the year.

They are done. I was always thinking the last couple of weeks, they’re gonna make a push. They’re gonna make a push and they did have Igor Shesterkin, no Shesterkin, no playoffs.

Martin Biron said on TSN’ Hockey Show
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Apart from the loss of their Russian goaltender, there have rumors that the Rangers are looking to make further roster moves. The name of Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider have popped up. Only time will tell what the Rangers do to salvage their season after this massive slump.