GM Chris Drury said the Rangers "failed to meet" expectations by missing playoffs after finishing with the league's best record in 2023-24.

New York entered the season with Stanley Cup aspirations following a run to the 2024 Eastern Conference final and Presidents’ Trophy win.

Todd Nelson has won five different minor league championships as head coach in the last two decades. That includes back-to-back titles for the Washington Capitals' AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, the past two seasons. He also aided the Dallas Stars to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 as an assistant who heavily guided team tactics.