![New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere warms up before the game against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/USATSI_15434660-scaled.jpg?w=858&h=483&crop=1)
There is a palpable sense of intrigue surrounding the New York Rangers entering the 2023-24 season as the team enters a new era with Peter Laviolette stepping in as the new head coach. The arrival of new coaching has sparked a series of developments that avid fans are closely keeping an eye on during the preseason.
The first depth chart will provide valuable insight into Laviolette’s plans for the Rangers
The release of the first depth chart during the preseason is a crucial moment for an NHL team. In the case of the Rangers, their recent coaching change adds an extra layer of intrigue to the depth chart’s unveiling.
This initial lineup arrangement will offer valuable insights into Laviolette’s strategic vision and his intended roles for each player. Fans will gain an understanding of where players are positioned within the team’s lineup – be it on the first, second, third, or fourth line – which can set the tone for the upcoming season.
![Apr 1, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Will Cuylle (50) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) battle for position during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NHL-Pittsburgh-Penguins-at-New-York-Rangers-22921397.jpg?w=858&h=483&crop=1)
Could Rangers’ 2nd-year physical forward play a top-six role in 2024-25?
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What to expect from the Rangers’ top center prospect in his 1st full AHL season
![May 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller (79) skates across center ice against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-Florida-Panthers-at-New-York-Rangers-23425663.jpg?w=858&h=483&crop=1)
How the Rangers can fix their disastrous 2nd power play unit this season
![May 9, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas (88) skates with the puck past New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-New-York-Rangers-at-Carolina-Hurricanes-23232853.jpg?w=858&h=483&crop=1)
Could the Rangers trade for Carolina’s elite RFA?
![May 28, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) celebrates after a goal by left wing Alexis Lafreniere (not pictured) against the Florida Panthers during the third period in game four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-New-York-Rangers-at-Florida-Panthers-23408753.jpg?w=858&h=483&crop=1)
The Rangers have the biggest bargain contract in the NHL
![May 24, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Barclay Goodrow (21) celebrates his game-winning overtime goal with teammates in game two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-Florida-Panthers-at-New-York-Rangers-23379156.jpg?w=858&h=483&crop=1)
Rangers: 5 exciting must-watch games to mark on your calendar for 2024-25
![May 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Will Cuylle (50) controls the puck against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-Florida-Panthers-at-New-York-Rangers-23425665.jpg?w=858&h=483&crop=1)
Rangers’ bruising 2nd-year forward developing into core bottom-six grinder
![Mar 21, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) takes a water break during a commercial break in the first period of a game against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NHL-New-York-Rangers-at-Boston-Bruins-22830441.jpg?w=858&h=483&crop=1)
How often should the Rangers utilize their elite backup goalie this season?
![New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NHL-New-York-Rangers-at-Vegas-Golden-Knights-22323880.jpg?w=858&h=483&crop=1)
Rangers ‘nearly certain’ to wait until next offseason to trade captain defenseman
![New York Rangers left wing Brennan Othmann (78) looks out during warmups before a game against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/USATSI_19137600-scaled.jpg?w=858&h=483&crop=1)
Which Rangers prospect will see the most NHL playing time in 2024?
How will Laviolette utilize Alexis Lafrenière?
Alexis Lafrenière’s performance in his first couple of seasons with the New York Rangers may not have met the high expectations set for a first-overall pick. The transition from junior hockey to the NHL can be challenging, and sometimes players need time to adjust and find their footing at the professional level.
The coaching change could indeed have a positive impact on Lafrenière’s development. Different coaches have varying approaches and strategies when it comes to player deployment and offensive creativity. Lafreniere should have more freedom to try new things under Laviolette this season; something he was not getting under Gallant’s system.
Laviolette’s coaching style might provide Lafrenière with more opportunities to showcase his skills and experiment with different aspects of his game. Under new coaching guidance, Lafrenière could find his stride and start living up to the potential that made him a top pick. Time will tell how his career continues to unfold with the Rangers, but in the preseason it could be a great test regarding how he will do in Laviolette’s system.
Which side of Jonathan Quick will the Rangers get?
Jonathan Quick is likely to start the majority of the games as the Rangers don’t want to risk Igor Shesterkin getting injured. However, it will be intriguing to see which version of Quick the New York Rangers will be getting.
Quick had a strange season last year, as he performed poorly as a member of the Los Angeles Kings, but when he was traded to Vegas, his performances were more decent with the team. During the preseason, Quick will be under the spotlight.