Are These Retired Blueshirts the Best Fit for the 2026 NY Rangers Development Department?

Next month, your favorite team plays hockey. Another season soon begins; now you could be expecting another deep run, you could be expecting another rebuilding year, but if you’re a Ranger fan, it’s hard to imagine what can happen. After several moves this offseason, this team looks to bounce back, but what of the Rangers of the future? Fans have known for a while now that development has been lacking. However, a pair of retired former Rangers look to change that this year. In a time with plenty of prospects to keep an eye on, where development must not fail, are Tanner Glass, Derick Brassard, and Jonathan Quick the best fit for this department?

Tanner Glass

In May, the New York Rangers promoted Tanner Glass from assistant director of player development to director of player development. A lot falls on the former Ranger at this time for the Blueshirts, as a pile of young prospects has given fans hope. With their future hanging in the balance with Liam Greentree, Cole Beaudoin, and Albert Šmits, there’s almost no room for error. Playing in MSG for three seasons on the bottom six, the 42-year-old looked to prove you don’t need to be a superstar on the ice to shine off of it. Unfortunately, since his arrival in 2019, Glass now shares part of the blame for the Rangers' last few underwhelming prospects. Now taking the reins, he’s got himself a second chance to make things right with a whole new generation of prospects; perhaps he can learn from his mistakes.

Derick Brassard

Making his way to MSG in the Marian Gaborik deal, Derick Brassard spent four seasons with the Rangers. He’ll be reporting directly to his former teammate, bringing a wealth of experience to the table, with over 1000 regular-season games and 118 playoff games, all while skating for 10 different teams. The 38-year-old comes in two years after his retirement, and his hard work and skills may very well come in handy for these prospects who look to become pros. Having been a part of the good and the bad throughout his career, fans would do well not to underestimate the mind of the Quebec native.

Jonathan Quick

The Hall of Fame goaltender may be finished on the ice, but he’s only just getting started with it. Finishing his career with the Blueshirts, Jonathan Quick remains loyal to the New York Rangers and will join as their director of goaltending development. Though it’s hard to imagine anyone doing the work Benoît Allaire did, a player with Quick's resume should be very welcome to oversee the goalies of the future. From what Rangers fans have seen over the last three seasons from the three-time Stanley Cup Champion, fans can only imagine just what youngsters can learn from a legend like him. On paper, you can’t help but jump for joy with a move like this, though how it pans out on the ice is an entirely different story. His style throughout his career was unique for someone with his athleticism, so let’s see if the 40-year-old can teach these youngsters something new.