The New York Rangers kicked off the 2024-25 season with a roster of seasoned defensemen, but the trade of Jacob Trouba and the difficulties faced by Ryan Lindgren and K’Andre Miller have positioned rookie Victor Mancini as a crucial player. The team’s struggles on defense have provided an opening for the 6-foot-3, 215-pound rookie.
**Mancini’s Performance**
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Mancini played college hockey at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the 2023-24 season, recording four goals and six assists in 40 games. He then moved to the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL, where he contributed three assists in seven regular-season games and three more assists in ten playoff games.
In preseason, Mancini demonstrated strong skating, solid defensive skills, and offensive potential, notably scoring a goal and adding an assist in the Rangers’ 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on September 22. His impressive performance helped him secure a spot on the opening night roster, beating out veteran Chad Ruhwedel and 2019 second-round pick Matthew Robertson while Lindgren was sidelined due to injury. Though primarily a right-handed shooter, he began the season playing on the left side.
Throughout the regular season, Mancini proved he could compete at this level, delivering reliable defensive play and making accurate passes out of the defensive zone. Utilizing his size and skating ability, he rarely found himself out of position. He scored his first NHL goal with a quick wrist shot during a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on October 17, accumulating one goal and three assists in 14 games.
After Lindgren’s return, Mancini returned to the Wolf Pack, where he tallied two goals and three assists in six games. Following the trade of Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks on December 6, Mancini rejoined the NHL and played four games alongside Zac Jones on the third defense pair. Both skaters have performed well together, but the team continues to face defensive challenges.
**Rangers’ Defensive Situation**
Post-Trouba trade, the Rangers have paired Fox with Lindgren and Miller with Braden Schneider on defense. Fox’s performance has been good, though not as strong as last season, while Schneider has made a smooth transition to a top-four role. However, Lindgren and Miller have both encountered defensive difficulties and have not contributed significantly offensively.
Lindgren, known for his grit and reliability since his rookie year, has faced challenges this season with uncharacteristic defensive errors, including poor coverage and being caught in the offensive zone too frequently. On the other hand, Miller, a top-four defenseman since his 2020-21 rookie season, has struggled defensively as well, opting for stick-checking rather than using his powerful 6-foot-5 frame and turning the puck over too often. His offensive output has also dipped, with only two goals and four assists in his first 28 games this season after scoring nine goals and 34 assists in 2022-23 and eight goals and 22 assists last season.
Compounding the Rangers’ defensive issues, Miller exited a recent game against the Buffalo Sabres on December 11 due to an upper-body injury and was placed on injured reserve. This injury may open the door for Mancini to step into the top four. Given Lindgren’s struggles, Mancini might get the chance to take his place on the top pairing alongside Fox.
**Outlook for Mancini and the Rangers**
While Trouba faced criticism for his defensive play, the Rangers’ issues extend beyond just one player. The forwards must improve, and both Miller and Lindgren need to find their form. Their current difficulties and the Trouba trade have created an opportunity for Mancini, who has seized it thus far and secured a spot on the roster. He has the potential to evolve into a top-four defenseman, and he may even play that role this season.
