On September 19, the New York Rangers held their first on-ice practice at training camp. While players were getting “back into the groove” of skating everyday, a lot of news headlines seemed to find the Rangers at camp. Not because someone made a really nice play, but because captain, Jacob Trouba, made an interesting remark during his post-practice media availability. Here is the full quote:

While Trouba did use the line “I don’t think that’s a secret by any means,” it seem to come as a shock for winger Artemi Panarin, who said the following:

So how can two leaders on the team, say two totally different things? Better yet, is Trouba right to assume that this is the “last crack” at a Stanley Cup for this current New York team?

To paint the full picture, one has to look at the average age of the Rangers, which is 29.2 years old. That’s not a bad number, especially considering how old some other teams in the NHL are at the moment. However, Trouba isn’t talking about this year being the “team’s” last shot at the Stanley Cup, but the “core’s” last shot. Some notable players in New York’s “core” are definitely getting up their age; at least compared to the rest of the team.

Here are some of the Rangers top players and their ages:

• Artemi Panarin (32)

• Jacob Trouba (30)

• Chris Kreider (33)

• Mika Zibanejad (31)

• Vincent Trocheck (31)

• Igor Shesterkin (28)

There are plenty of names still in the Rangers core, who were left off because they are still fairly young such as Adam Fox (26), Alexis Lafreniere (22), Ryan Lindgren (26), and K’Andre Miller (24).

While age is a big factor in what Trouba is talking about, contracts also have to be factored in. Shesterkin, Lafreniere, Lingren, and Miller are due for new contracts next offseason. Trouba, and Panarin, are due for new ones before the 2026 NHL season; the following year. Obviously, New York’s General Manager, Chris Drury, is not going to have enough money to keep every single player listed. But do the Rangers really want to keep every player listed?

After all, it was confirmed this offseason that the Rangers were legitimately trying to trade Trouba to a different team after his abysmal peformance in the Rangers ECF playoff run. That was before the captain used his NTC (No Trade Clause) and was able to stay in New York. If certain players, such as Trouba, don’t start performing this season, more importantly the playoffs, there is a good chance that they will be moved for that reason alone; not because they have “expiring contracts”.

While Trouba is pretty much correct in his assumption that this might be the last season where all of these players skate together, Panarin made it seem like there was a different view among other players. To be fair, the Rangers did win the President’s Trophy last season, which is awarded to the best regular season team in the NHL. Most of their top players also had career best years, such as Panarin, Trocheck, and Lafreniere. It’s a little ridiculous to assume that this is the core’s “last crack” at a Stanley Cup when other players are still pulling their weight and contributing.

Certain players on the Rangers’ current team will be moved after this season, or at the deadline; that’s almost a guarantee. With premeire players still leading the charge on offense, defense, and between the pipes it’s not safe to say that this is New York’s last go at the biggest trophy that the NHL has to offer.

Of course, the Rangers can silence all of these claims if they actually go out there and win the Stanley Cup this year. Is this the core’s last crack at a cup? Or is it Trouba’s last crack at one? The NHL world will just have to find out.