New faces: No. 1 overall 2020 draft choice and forward Alexis Lafreniere, drop the mic.
What to know: Forward Artemi Panarin is a bonafide scoring superstar and will take some pressure off Lafreniere-who is likely to not need it. And don't forget that Lafreniere takes some pressure off 2019 No. 2 overall draft pick, Kaapo Kakko, who will be better this season.
Outlook: The "Blueshirts" have a shot at divisional playoffs if Igor Shesterkin can fill the large goalie skates of Henrik Lundqvist, who was planning to haunt NYR as a Washington Capital until a heart condition shelved the beloved Swede at least for this NHL season. Alexandar Georgiev will pair with Shesterkin. If they are household hockey names by April, the Rangers will be rolling about a year or two ahead of the Stanley Cup master plan for this Original Six franchise.