Brief
Rangers Shift Focus From Slogans to Team Unity Ahead of Season Opener
Head coach Mike Sullivan says the Rangers will rely on attitude and effort rather than marketing mantras as the team heads into its first game of the 2026‑27 season.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On the eve of the Rangers’ season opener against the Boston Bruins, head coach Mike Sullivan told the New York Post that the club has abandoned its previous use of slogans such as “No BS” and “It Takes Everyone” in favour of a more practical, day‑to‑day approach. Sullivan said the team will focus on attitude and effort as the two controllable factors that can help the Rangers reach their potential.
Captain J. T. Miller echoed the sentiment, telling the Post that the Rangers are “trying to build a belief in a process that we’re applying every day, where our players and coaches and everyone buys into it.” Miller added that he will not dwell on last season’s performance and will focus on the first period of the opening game.
The Rangers have also made roster moves that reinforce the team’s depth strategy. Rookie goaltender Dylan Garand and veteran forward Taylor Raddysh were cleared waivers and sent to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack to start the season, while Latvian defenseman Alberts Smits was added to the opening‑night lineup. Smits, who is 18, said he is focused on executing the coaches’ instructions rather than his age.
Earlier this week, the Rangers trimmed their training‑camp roster and shortened the preseason schedule to 12 days, with only four exhibition games. The club’s 48‑player roster was cut to 22, a move aimed at addressing depth issues and ensuring player health for the regular season. The team will face the Bruins in Boston on Tuesday, September 28, 2026.
Key facts
- Head coach Mike Sullivan said the Rangers will rely on attitude and effort rather than slogans (nypost.com)
- Captain J. T. Miller will not dwell on last season and will focus on the first period of the opening game (nypost.com)
- Rookie goaltender Dylan Garand and veteran forward Taylor Raddysh were cleared waivers and sent to the AHL (nypost.com)
- Latvian defenseman Alberts Smits was added to the opening‑night lineup (nypost.com)
- Rangers trimmed training‑camp roster to 22 players and shortened preseason to 12 days with four exhibition games (nypost.com)
Background
The Rangers have previously used slogans such as “No BS” and “It Takes Everyone” in an attempt to build a collective mentality. The club’s recent training‑camp schedule was tightened to focus on depth and health, as reported in a Felo News article on September 17.
Why it matters
The Rangers’ shift away from marketing slogans reflects a broader strategy to build cohesion and consistency on the ice as they prepare for a competitive season.
What happens next
The team will play its first regular‑season game against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, September 28, 2026.
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “The Rangers are done with cutesy slogans — but the message is clear before opening night”
