In a season marked by frustration and disappointment, Calvin de Haan has made it clear that his time with the New York Rangers is nearing its end. The 33-year-old defenseman, who was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche on March 2, 2025, has only suited up for three games since joining the team, spending the last 18 games as a healthy scratch. After the Rangers were officially eliminated from playoff contention, de Haan expressed his discontent with how he has been treated during his brief tenure in New York.
On April 13, 2025, while preparing for a morning skate, de Haan confronted reporters, stating, "How about the way I've been treated here? It's f—ked." His frustrations were palpable, and he expressed a desire to speak more openly about his situation. Initially, he indicated he would be "very transparent" with the media, but later decided to wait until the end of the season to discuss his time with the Rangers in detail.
De Haan's comments come after a disappointing stretch where he was not utilized despite a solid start to his Rangers career. In his three appearances, he recorded one assist and maintained a plus-3 rating, contributing to the team's 2-0-1 record during that span. "Did I help win those games I played, maybe? Maybe not? But we still won and collected some crucial points to climb the standings," he remarked. His performance seemed to warrant more opportunities, yet he found himself sidelined as the Rangers struggled to find consistency.
After the Rangers traded for de Haan, along with Juuso Parssinen and conditional draft picks, in exchange for Ryan Lindgren, Jimmy Vesey, and rights to unsigned draft pick Hank Kempf, expectations were high. However, head coach Peter Laviolette buried him on the depth chart, leading to his lack of ice time. This has been particularly frustrating for de Haan, who noted, "I understand the youth movement in the NHL, and I’m getting older in hockey years, and I may not play every single night. I feel like I can still contribute and help teams win." He emphasized that he is aware he won't play 20 minutes a night but believes he can still add value to the team.
As the Rangers navigate a tumultuous season, they face the reality of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The team, which had set records for wins and points the previous season, began this year with promise, boasting a 12-4-1 record. However, a dismal stretch of 5-14-0 followed, and although they stabilized slightly in 2025, they never regained the momentum needed to secure a playoff berth.
In light of the Rangers' struggles, Laviolette acknowledged that change could be on the horizon, including potential adjustments to the coaching staff. When asked about his job security, he stated, "I think everything gets looked at when a year is not good like this. I’m not blind to anything." He expressed his commitment to the organization, despite the disappointing outcomes this season.
With the Rangers now officially eliminated from playoff contention, de Haan's future remains uncertain. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he faces the prospect of signing with a new team this summer. Given the circumstances, it seems likely that he will seek opportunities elsewhere, especially considering this marks the fifth different team he has played for in four years, following stints with the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Avalanche.
De Haan's situation is emblematic of the broader challenges the Rangers have faced this season. As the team prepares to finish out their schedule with games against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, they will likely give younger players increased ice time. This includes Matthew Robertson, who has been recalled from AHL Hartford and is expected to make his NHL debut against Florida.
As the Rangers look to rebuild and refocus for the next season, de Haan's frustrations highlight the complexities of managing player expectations and team dynamics in a league that often prioritizes youth and potential over experience. The coming weeks will be crucial for both de Haan and the Rangers as they navigate the final games of the season and prepare for an offseason filled with decisions.
In the meantime, Calvin de Haan hopes for a resolution to his frustrations and the chance to compete once again, stating, "As a player, you have to respect the lineup decisions whether you like them or not. It’s just been frustrating not being able to compete and do what I love to do. I hope everyone understands." With two games left in the season, the Rangers and de Haan both face pivotal moments that could shape their futures in the NHL.
