It seems like just about everything is new except the logo.
The Rangers will open the 2017-18 season on Thursday night at the Garden against the Predators with an unfamiliar coach, some unfamiliar alternate captains, a lot of unfamiliar players — and especially, unfamiliar expectations.
This team is not supposed to be a shoo-in for the playoffs, like so many of the past decade. It is supposed to be a team that has a puncher’s chance at making the playoffs, and even that might be undercut by another trade deadline best served by trading away some rentals.