Rangers’ new defense pair of Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi offers hope for next season

Chad Ruhwedel didn’t want to hang up the phone without getting one thing straight about former teammate Marcus Pettersson.

“Let the record show that I was a better card player than him,” the retired defenseman chuckled on a recent call with The Athletic.

Other than that playful tidbit, Ruhwedel’s assessment of one of the New York Rangers’ newest additions was glowing.

“There’s nobody who has a problem with Marcus Pettersson,” he stated plainly. “I can fully attest to that.”

The sentiments are similar regarding another recent Blueshirts’ acquisition, Sean Durzi, who may very well end up as Pettersson’s defensive partner. Both were introduced on Zoom calls Thursday, with Durzi opening with a friendly gesture to reporters in the queue.

“I just wanted to say ‘Hi’ to everyone,” the 27-year-old defenseman said before answering the first question. “I can’t wait to meet you all and put names to faces.”

Rangers president Chris Drury seems to have brought in a couple high-character individuals, an important bonus for a team that’s still trying to repair a fractured culture. But above all, Durzi, Pettersson and other newcomers are being counted on to boost an on-ice product that’s stunk for the better part of two years.

“The beauty of the NHL is it’s a fresh start every year,” Durzi said. “It’s a prove-yourself league, and you get to do it every single day. … That opportunity is pretty exciting.”

Pettersson looks to return to form under familiar staff

Both players are coming to New York with no shortage of motivation.

Pettersson established himself as a reliable, minutes-eating defenseman during his six-and-a-half seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, all of which were played under current Rangers coach Mike Sullivan. But he was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks at the 2025 trade deadline, where he’d endure an extended period of losing.

The Canucks finished dead last in the NHL this past season, with the team’s struggles bleeding into Pettersson’s game. His 43.76 percent expected goals-for rate was the worst of his nine-year career, as was his 38.22 percent actual goals-for rate, according to Evolving Hockey. His 18 points (three goals and 15 assists) were also a full-season career low, but the 30-year-old Swede didn’t look back with regret or distaste.

“You never want to lose games like we did — but to be honest, my time there was nothing short of great,” he said. “Having gone from an older team where I was kind of the young guy for a long time, to a younger team kind of exceeding in a role of leadership and learning how to do that really helped me.”

That veteran presence will be helpful for a New York roster that’s leaning younger these days, but Pettersson understands that better results will be required to justify Drury surrendering a 2030 first-round pick (top-10 protected) for him.

“I want to bounce back from kind of a negative feeling,” said Pettersson, who’s under contract for five more seasons at a $5.5 million average annual value.

Reuniting with Sullivan inspires hope that he will. Pettersson never finished with an xGF under 52.26 percent in Pittsburgh, with an average of at least 20:35 time on ice in each of his final three seasons there.

“Sully knows who he’s getting with Petey,” Ruhwedel said. “He had him up and down the lineup, different D pairings, and Petey always played well. He’s always consistent.”

Ruhwedel raved about the 6-foot-5, 174-pound lefty’s ability to use his length, which made him one of the most effective defensemen for both the Penguins and Canucks at preventing zone entries and poking pucks away. And while Pettersson is slight of frame, he endeared himself to teammates with his willingness to block shots and mix it up around the net. Ruhwedel also believes his puck skills are underrated.

“Maybe he’s not getting two points a night or something like that, but he’ll make a play in the offensive zone to give another guy a tap-in, or just a really good look,” he said. “You kind of double-take. You’re like, ‘Wow, that was a really nice play.’ It’s not like he does it constantly throughout the season, but he has those really high IQ plays in his bag. It’s fun to see when he pulls them out.”

Getting back into a system where he thrived was a major selling point for Pettersson. Not only is he familiar with Sullivan, but he also played under current Rangers assistants David Quinn and Ty Hennes. It’s a big reason he agreed to waive his no-movement clause on such short notice when the trade went down July 1.

“First off, as a person, I feel like me and Sully had a great relationship,” he said. “He’s a straightforward kind of guy. You’re never really wondering what you should do or where you’re at or stuff like that. … I love that about him. And system-wise, I feel like it tends to play into my playing style. I want to play a fast-paced style, like he wants to play, and pressure on (the) puck. I feel like his system is so good, where you don’t have to overthink things out there. You’re playing off your instincts, and your instincts are what brought you to where you are.”

Durzi brings puck skills and potential

While Pettersson is looking to prove he can get back to his previous steadiness, Durzi is itching to show he has another level to reach.

His momentum was disrupted by right-shoulder surgery, which cost him 52 games during the 2024-25 season, with another upper-body ailment putting him on the shelf at the beginning of 2025-26. But the Mississauga, Ontario native returned by late November and ended up logging 60 games, plus another six when the Utah Mammoth made the playoffs.

“I felt the best I’ve ever felt in a hockey game last season, so that’s the beauty of it,” Durzi said. “You’re confident with experience. The ups and downs of a hockey season are what makes this game so special.”

Durzi looked like he was ready to take off after posting a career-high 41 points (nine goals and 32 assists) in 76 games with the then-Arizona Coyotes in 2023-24, which earned him a four-year, $24 million ($6 million AAV) contract extension. Now the Rangers are hoping he can get back on that trajectory.

They targeted the 6-foot-1, 196-pound righty because he brings what Sullivan identified as one of their top offseason needs: puck-moving ability from the back end. It made him a must-have piece after months of shopping center Vincent Trocheck, who was sent to the Mammoth on July 1 for a package that also included center prospect Cole Beaudoin and a 2027 third-round pick.

This past season, Durzi led all Utah defensemen with 10.54 zone entries per 60 minutes at five-on-five, according to All Three Zones. For context, the highest rate among New York’s regular D was Adam Fox at 8.29.

“You see the forward group that (the Rangers) have is pretty special,” Durzi said. “Now, for them to use that ability, I think we’ve got to be able to move pucks — move pucks flat, and on the tape. Timing is so important, and then let them do their thing from there. That’s kind of what my game is. … It allows the team to play so much faster.”

Speed is also part of Durzi’s game, with a 22.67 mph max skating speed that ranked in the 86th percentile leaguewide, according to NHL Edge. But the data suggests he’s more of a passer than a puck-carrier. His zone carry-in rate wasn’t particularly high at 23.7 percent, which would have ranked fifth among New York defensemen. But his 2.496 passed zone exits per 60 would have been second behind only Fox.

“If I can give a great pass, that’s one less thing (the forwards) have got to worry about,” he said. “At top speed, they can kind of just take the pass in stride.”

Durzi should add secondary offense for a defenseman group that had no one other than Fox eclipse 35 points last season — and while he’s not considered a shutdown defender, an Eastern Conference scout said the Rangers can at least expect an honest effort in their own end.

“He’s not a big guy, but he’s feisty and he’ll compete hard,” said the scout, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. “I don’t think he’s quite hit that peak of what he could possibly be as a player.”

It would behoove all parties if that happens in New York — a place Durzi didn’t expect to land but seems to be quickly embracing.

“Honestly, it was a surprise,” he said of the trade. “I’m a passionate player. I put my heart and soul into every single game, every single moment that I’m a part of. Maybe sometimes that makes you forget that it is a business, but at the end of the day, this isn’t my first trade. I know how to react. I know how to deal with it. Initial shock, and then it’s get to work. I’m a big believer in kind of proving those who believe in you right, and I think having the opportunity to prove this staff with the Rangers right is exciting for me. That’s a little bit of a kick of motivation in the middle of a long, grinding summer, and I can’t wait.”

‘Healthy competition’

Durzi expects to lean on former Los Angeles Kings teammate Jonathan Quick, who spent the previous three seasons as the Rangers’ backup goalie and recently accepted a post-retirement position as the organization’s director of goaltending development. He’s stayed with Quick on previous trips to New York and will look for guidance on where to live now that he’s making the area his home.

“I can’t say enough good things about him,” Durzi said. “You knew as soon as he was done playing, a team would hop on the idea of hiring him. Him and his family have always welcomed us with open arms.”

Meanwhile, Pettersson said he’s had “great conversations” with fellow Swede and current Rangers center Mika Zibanejad about the transition. He’s also heard from J.T. Miller, who played with many of Pettersson’s former teammates during the New York captain’s six-and-a-half seasons in Vancouver.

“They reached out and said, ‘You’re gonna love him and his family and stuff like that, and the competitiveness that (he) brings,” Pettersson said.

Durzi and Pettersson should become fast friends, as well. They’re expected to join forces on a revamped second pair, although both cautioned against jumping to conclusions.

However they line up, an improved D corps, which will also be working in No. 5 draft pick Alberts Šmits, is the biggest reason to believe a Rangers turnaround is possible.

“I know he’s a great skater,” Pettersson said of Durzi. “He can move the puck, offensive guy, but he’s got an edge to him, as well. I played with John Marino, who he played with in Utah, and he only talked good things about him and his game. And if we are a pair, great. But it’s a great group of defensemen that we have, and I think we have some healthy competition there, too.”