Sullivan plans to start Mika Zibanejad on J.T. Miller’s right wing, leveraging summer relationship-building to unlock top-line chemistry. The move tests center depth but aims to jump‑start the roster with a cohesive, veteran-led group as camp opens and the Rangers chase a strong start after last season’s misstep.

Beyond Miller and Zibanejad, New York leans on Vincent Trocheck at center, Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov on the back end, and Igor Shesterkin between the pipes. The Oct. 7 opener vs the Penguins will light the first real test of these early roster decisions.

Rangers may retool on the fly rather than rebuild, driven by ownership's win-now stance and Thanksgiving benchmarks. Early-season results, Panarin’s extension status, and off-ice noise shape lineup moves, with a focus on keeping core stars while trimming risk through strategic trades.

Fantasy implications hinge on Panarin’s future, Zibanejad and Lafreniere line dynamics, and Shesterkin’s load amid potential roster churn. Kaprizov’s market example adds a cautionary note on star salary and flexibility for a roaster built around elite talent and a strong defensive base.

Seth Jones, 30, is the lone Olympic-hopeful defender who brings a rare two-threaded path: he attended the 2013 USA orientation camp and earned a spot on the 2022 Olympic team before the NHL withdrew. Now chasing Milan 2026, Jones sits in a shifting USA defense core alongside Fox, Slavin, Werenski, Hughes and McAvoy, eyeing a chance to cap a career arc that includes a Stanley Cup triumph and a father-driven skating and skill lineage.

As USA Hockey reshapes its blue line, Jones’s background and Cup pedigree underscore the blend of veteran poise and youthful opportunity the 2026 squad will demand. Watching the 4 Nations from home highlighted the depth at defense, with Jones positioned as a potentially pivotal piece in Milan.