The Rangers season was marred by several internal and external controversies that significantly impacted team dynamics and performance. A notable incident involved captain
Jacob Trouba, who was reportedly pressured by management to waive his no-trade clause or face being placed on waivers. This situation caused unrest among players, as many felt the handling of the trade saga was mishandled and detrimental to team morale. Additionally, the team's decision to waive
Barclay Goodrow during the 2024 off-season, circumventing his no-trade clause, further strained relationships within the locker room. The situation escalated with the leak of a trade memo in November 2024 from general manager
Chris Drury, listing key players as available for trade such as Trouba and
Chris Kreider, which occurred after losses to the
Calgary Flames and
Edmonton Oilers, while the Rangers held a 12–4–1 record. In April 2025, forward
Artemi Panarin faced a sexual assault allegation from a former team employee, leading to a settlement in August 2024 and raising questions about his future with the team. These controversies collectively contributed to a season characterized by internal discord and underperformance. == Standings ==