NHL Agents Rank Rangers as 2nd Worst Run Team

Lingering issues with player relations continue to dog the Rangers organization.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:53pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game or match broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in muted blues, greys, and whites, conceptually representing the fractured state of the Rangers organization.The Rangers' reputation for poor player relations is reflected in a fractured, cubist-inspired illustration of the sport they struggle to manage effectively.NYC Today

In a recent poll of NHL agents, the New York Rangers were ranked as the second-worst run team in the league. The poll highlighted the organization's history of poor communication and strained relationships with players, including high-profile departures of Barclay Goodrow, Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba, and Artemi Panarin.

Why it matters

The low ranking from agents, who represent the players' interests, reflects ongoing challenges the Rangers face in building trust and maintaining positive connections within the hockey community. This could impact the team's ability to attract and retain top talent in the future.

The details

The poll, conducted by The Athletic and The New York Times, surveyed anonymous NHL agents who cited the Rangers' aggressive negotiating tactics and lack of empathy in player dealings as key factors behind the poor ranking. One agent commented: 'Deep down, they forget everybody's a human being. They're too forceful, and I think everything can be worked out one way or the other.'

  • The poll results were published on April 15, 2026.

The players

Chris Drury

The general manager of the New York Rangers, who has faced criticism for his personnel management and relationship-building skills dating back to his time as GM of the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Barclay Goodrow

A former Rangers player who had an 'ugly divorce' from the organization.

Chris Kreider

A former Rangers player who had an 'ugly divorce' from the organization.

Jacob Trouba

A former Rangers player who had an 'ugly divorce' from the organization.

Artemi Panarin

A former Rangers player whose lack of communication with the organization is still lingering.

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The takeaway

The Rangers' poor reputation among NHL agents, stemming from their history of strained player relations, is a challenge the organization must address to rebuild trust and improve its ability to attract and retain top talent in the future.