Adam Fox open to staying with Rangers during retool

Star defenseman acknowledges 'unique situation' as New York looks to rebuild roster

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:57am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey player in motion, with their body and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in muted tones of blue, green, and grey, conceptually representing the uncertainty and change facing the New York Rangers organization.As the Rangers retool their roster, star defenseman Adam Fox remains open to staying with the team through the transition.NYC Today

New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox spoke about his future with the team as they prepare for an impending retool. Fox, a former Norris Trophy winner, has been noncommittal about his future with the Rangers to this point, but acknowledged some positive aspects of the organization that intrigue him as they navigate a crucial offseason.

Why it matters

The Rangers are in the midst of a retooling process, having already made some major trades like dealing Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba. As they look to rebuild their roster, keeping star players like Fox will be crucial to their long-term success.

The details

Fox said he was never really concerned about 'belief in the guys' but more about the 'direction and where it's going.' He noted there have been 'some promising signs of the possibilities of the kind of team we can be.' The Rangers are expected to trade more veteran players like Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad this summer as part of the retool.

  • The Rangers finished the 2025-26 season as the worst team in the Eastern Conference with just 77 points.
  • Artemi Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings this past season.
  • Jacob Trouba was sent to the Anaheim Ducks in the 2024-25 season.

The players

Adam Fox

A star defenseman for the New York Rangers and former Norris Trophy winner who is open to remaining with the team during their impending retool.

Artemi Panarin

A former Rangers forward who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings this past season as part of New York's retooling efforts.

Jacob Trouba

A former Rangers defenseman who was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in the 2024-25 season as part of New York's retooling efforts.

Vincent Trocheck

A Rangers forward who is expected to be on the trade block this summer as the team continues its retool.

Mika Zibanejad

A Rangers forward who is expected to be on the trade block this summer as the team continues its retool.

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What they’re saying

“'For me, it was just, we're still in a unique situation. Not many people have been through a retool letter and kind of what that means, so I think that's kind of where the figuring out stuff was from.'”

— Adam Fox, New York Rangers Defenseman

“'It was never really about belief in the guys. It was just kind of direction and where it's going. I think that's where I was at. But obviously there's been some promising signs of the possibilities of the kind of team we can be.'”

— Adam Fox, New York Rangers Defenseman

What’s next

The Rangers will look to trade more veteran players like Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad this summer as they continue their retooling efforts.

The takeaway

Keeping star players like Adam Fox will be crucial for the Rangers as they navigate a difficult retooling process. Fox's openness to remaining with the team despite the uncertainty shows his commitment to the organization and belief in the long-term direction.