Editing New York Rangers (section)

====Rebuilding (2016–2020)====
On July 18, 2016, the Rangers traded Derick Brassard and a 2018 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for [[Mika Zibanejad]] and a 2018 second-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rangers Acquire Forward Mika Zibanejad|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-forward-mika-zibanejad/c-889693|website=National Hockey League|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 18, 2016|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075248/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-forward-mika-zibanejad/c-889693|url-status=live}}</ref> The team also signed [[Michael Grabner]] to a two-year deal<ref>{{cite web|last1=Leonard|first1=Pat|title=Rangers hit the discount rack and sign free agents Michael Grabner and Nathan Gerbe|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/rangers-hit-discount-rack-sign-michael-grabner-nathan-gerbe-article-1.2696268|website=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081255/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/rangers-hit-discount-rack-sign-michael-grabner-nathan-gerbe-article-1.2696268|url-status=live}}</ref> and the much-anticipated college sensation [[Jimmy Vesey]] to a two-year entry-level contract.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kreda|first1=Allan|title=Rangers Sign Jimmy Vesey, Coveted by Much of the N.H.L.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/20/sports/hockey/ny-rangers-sign-jimmy-vesey.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=August 19, 2016|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824004100/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/20/sports/hockey/ny-rangers-sign-jimmy-vesey.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Rangers finished [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17]] in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division with 102 points. In the first round of the [[2017 Stanley Cup playoffs]], they won their series with the Montreal Canadiens in six games. In the second game of their second-round series with the Ottawa Senators, the Rangers held a two-goal lead on three different occasions, but lost in double overtime, putting themselves in a 2–0 series deficit. The team responded with consecutive 4–1 home wins in games 3 and 4 to tie the series, but lost the next two games and were eliminated.

On June 14, 2017, the Rangers announced a buyout of Dan Girardi's contract.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kreda|first1=Allan|title=Rangers Are Buying Out Dan Girardi's Contract|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/sports/hockey/rangers-dan-girardi.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=May 10, 2018|date=June 14, 2017|archive-date=February 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225035413/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/sports/hockey/rangers-dan-girardi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Just over a week later, the Rangers traded Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to the [[Arizona Coyotes]] in exchange for a first-round draft pick (seventh overall) and former first-round pick [[Tony DeAngelo]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kreda|first1=Allan|title=Rangers Trade Derek Stepan to Coyotes Ahead of N.H.L. Draft|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/sports/hockey/rangers-trade-derek-stepan-to-coyotes-ahead-of-nhl-draft.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=May 10, 2018|date=June 23, 2017}}</ref> Rangers' management also signed top free agent defenseman [[Kevin Shattenkirk]] to a four-year deal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rangers sign top free agent Kevin Shattenkirk|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19783806/new-york-rangers-sign-defenseman-kevin-shattenkirk|publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 10, 2018|date=July 1, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926102734/http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19783806/new-york-rangers-sign-defenseman-kevin-shattenkirk|url-status=live}}</ref> However, injuries sidelined Shattenkirk, Kreider, and Zibanejad, and the Rangers struggled to compete. By February 8, 2018, the team had a 25–24–5 record, leading the front office to issue a letter to fans announcing the Rangers would be committing to a rebuild and may "lose some familiar faces" in the process. [[Rick Nash]] was traded the day before the 2018 [[NHL trade deadline]] to the Bruins for a 2018 first-round pick, a 2019 seventh-round pick, [[Matt Beleskey]], [[Ryan Spooner]] and [[Ryan Lindgren]]. The following day, the Rangers traded captain [[Ryan McDonagh]] and [[J. T. Miller]] to the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] for picks and prospects.  With the team missing the playoffs for the first time since [[2009–10 NHL season|2010]], finishing under .500 for the first time since [[2003–04 NHL season|2004]], and placing last in the Metropolitan Division, head coach Vigneault was fired at the conclusion of the season.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bailey|first1=Jason M.|title=Rangers Fire Alain Vigneault After Rare Playoff-Less Season|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/08/sports/hockey/alain-vigneault-fired-rangers.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 9, 2018|date=April 8, 2018|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408075739/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/08/sports/hockey/alain-vigneault-fired-rangers.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 23, [[David Quinn (ice hockey)|David Quinn]] was hired as the team's new head coach.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rangers hire Boston University's David Quinn as coach|url=https://apnews.com/143251cc7cb642abbb59a777287a5e92/Rangers-hire-Boston-University%27s-David-Quinn-as-coach|website=AP News|access-date=May 23, 2018|date=May 23, 2018|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819040826/https://apnews.com/143251cc7cb642abbb59a777287a5e92/Rangers-hire-Boston-University%27s-David-Quinn-as-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> During the off-season, Hayes, Vesey, [[Brady Skjei]] and Spooner all filed for salary arbitration and all were re-signed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rangers Agree to Terms With Brady Skjei |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-brady-skjei/c-299613196 |website=NHL.com |access-date=November 9, 2018 |date=July 28, 2018 |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730170617/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-brady-skjei/c-299613196 |url-status=live}}</ref> Gorton and his team remained committed to a rebuild in the [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19 season]], and with their playoff chances slim, the Rangers once again traded away veteran players at the deadline, including [[Kevin Hayes]] and fan-favorite [[Mats Zuccarello]], who was sent to the Dallas Stars in exchange for two draft picks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rangers Acquire 2019 Conditional 2nd Rd & 2020 Conditional 3rd Rd Picks |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-2019-conditional-2nd-rd--2020-conditional-3rd-rd-picks/c-305148148 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=February 23, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rangers Acquire 2019 1st Rd Pick, Brendan Lemieux & 2022 Conditional Pick |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-2019-1st-rd-pick-brendan-lemieux--2022-conditional-pick/c-305196900 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=February 25, 2019 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128182128/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-2019-1st-rd-pick-brendan-lemieux--2022-conditional-pick/c-305196900 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Rangers received the second overall pick in the [[2019 NHL entry draft]],<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 NHL Draft Lottery results |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2019-nhl-draft-lottery-results/c-306626236 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=April 9, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621221636/https://www.nhl.com/news/2019-nhl-draft-lottery-results/c-306626236 |url-status=live}}</ref> and subsequently used it to select forward [[Kaapo Kakko]]. On May 17, 2019, former Ranger goaltender and broadcaster [[John Davidson (ice hockey)|John Davidson]] resigned from his position as president of the Columbus Blue Jackets and returned to New York to become the organization's new president.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Davidson Named Rangers President |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/john-davidson-named-rangers-president/c-307447556 |website=NHL.com |access-date=October 3, 2020 |date=May 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108004741/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/john-davidson-named-rangers-president/c-307447556 |url-status=live}}</ref> Davidson and Gorton addressed the team's defensive woes by acquiring top prospect [[Adam Fox]] from Carolina for a pair of picks,<ref>{{cite web |title=Rangers Acquire Defenseman Adam Fox |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-defenseman-adam-fox/c-307122854 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=April 30, 2019 |archive-date=April 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430234157/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-defenseman-adam-fox/c-307122854 |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as veteran defenseman [[Jacob Trouba]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Rangers Acquire Jacob Trouba |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-jacob-trouba/c-307887700 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=June 17, 2019}}</ref> The team also signed free agent [[Artemi Panarin]] to a seven-year deal on July 1.<ref>{{cite web |title=New York Rangers Sign Artemi Panarin to Seven-Year Deal Worth $81.5 Million |url=https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2019/7/1/20677371/new-york-rangers-to-sign-artemi-panarin-to-seven-year-deal-worth-81-5-million |website=blueshirtbanter.com |access-date=July 1, 2019 |date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701205037/https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2019/7/1/20677371/new-york-rangers-to-sign-artemi-panarin-to-seven-year-deal-worth-81-5-million |url-status=live}}</ref> To help with salary cap restrictions, the Rangers then traded Jimmy Vesey and bought out the last two years of Shattenkirk's contract.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Battaglino |first1=Mike |title=Shattenkirk has contract bought out by Rangers |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kevin-shattenkirk-contract-bought-out-by-new-york/c-308414136 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 9, 2020 |date=August 1, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:ArtemiPanarin.jpg|thumb|[[Artemi Panarin]] signed with the Rangers in July 2019]]
The [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20 season]] was a step forward for the rebuilding Rangers; Panarin lived up expectations and earned a [[Hart Trophy]] nomination,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://drive4five.blog/2020/07/21/hart-trophy-leon-draisaitl-nathan-mackinnon-artemi-panarin-aidan-resnick-kush-malhotra/ | title=Hart Trophy Finalists Revealed: Who Will and Should Win? | date=July 21, 2020 | access-date=August 11, 2020 | archive-date=August 11, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811070540/https://drive4five.blog/2020/07/21/hart-trophy-leon-draisaitl-nathan-mackinnon-artemi-panarin-aidan-resnick-kush-malhotra/ | url-status=live}}</ref> rookie goaltender [[Igor Shesterkin]] proved to be a worthy successor to aging superstar Henrik Lundqvist, Chris Kreider signed a seven-year contract extension,<ref>{{cite web |title=Rangers re-sign Chris Kreider to seven-year contract |url=https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/02/24/new-york-rangers-chris-kreider-contract-extension/ |website=NBC Sports |access-date=October 3, 2020 |date=February 24, 2020 |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020230612/https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/02/24/new-york-rangers-chris-kreider-contract-extension/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and Mika Zibanejad emerged as an elite forward, recording a 5-goal-game against Washington on March 5 and ending up with 41 goals in 57 games played. By early March 2020, the Rangers were within striking distance of the second wild-card position when the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)|coronavirus pandemic]] halted the regular season. In May 2020, the league announced a [[2020 Stanley Cup playoffs|24-team playoff tournament]] to complete the season, where the Rangers were seeded 11th and faced the Carolina Hurricanes; the Hurricanes swept the Rangers. After being eliminated from the playoffs the Rangers were entered into the second phase of the NHL draft lottery where the team won the lottery and were awarded the first pick in the [[2020 NHL entry draft]], which Gorton used to select [[Alexis Lafrenière|Alexis Lafreniere]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kaplan |first1=Emily |title=New York Rangers win NHL draft lottery, right to pick Alexis Lafreniere |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29635413/new-york-rangers-win-nhl-draft-lottery-right-pick-alexis-lafreniere |website=ESPN.com |access-date=May 3, 2024 |date=August 10, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624035248/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29635413/new-york-rangers-win-nhl-draft-lottery-right-pick-alexis-lafreniere |url-status=live}}</ref> Later in the off-season, the team traded veteran defenseman [[Marc Staal]] to the Red Wings.

In September 2020, the Rangers bought out the final year of [[Henrik Lundqvist]]'s contract, ending his tenure in New York after 15 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rangers Buy Out Contract of Henrik Lundqvist |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-buy-out-contract-of-henrik-lundqvist/c-319243646 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 29, 2022 |date=September 30, 2020 |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129071835/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-buy-out-contract-of-henrik-lundqvist/c-319243646 |url-status=live}}</ref>