The New York Rangers will be without Adam Fox for a while, and with their power play still struggling, Elliotte Friedman reported on 32 Thoughts that the team is exploring options for a temporary power-play quarterback. One name Friedman mentioned is a familiar one for the Rangers, though nothing is close to happening yet.
Erik Gustafsson emerging as a possible target
On the latest episode of the podcast, Friedman said:
“I’ve heard the Rangers are… Adam Fox being out… they’re looking to see if there’s something they can find for a power-play quarterback. They got a big win over Ottawa on Thursday night. They only had one power play. They were 0-for-1 on it, hardly much of a sample size. But I do think they are looking for somebody out there. And one of the names I’ve kind of heard thrown around was Erik Gustafsson, which would make some sense. He’s in the American Hockey League and they know him… So I don’t think that there’s anything done there by any stretch of the imagination. But I know they’re looking around to see if there’s someone they can find while Fox is out.”
Gustafsson played for the Rangers during the 2023–24 season and was an excellent fit. The veteran defenseman appeared in 76 games, registering six goals and 25 assists for 31 points, while putting up strong underlying numbers: a 51.5 GF%, 54.48 CF%, and 51.47 xGF%. When he was on the ice at 5-on-5, the team produced 2.43 goals per 60 minutes and allowed 2.29.
His 2024–25 season with the Red Wings was rougher on the scoresheet. In 60 games, he logged 853 minutes at 5-on-5 and finished with a 39.52 GF%, despite positive possession and expected-goals numbers (51.24 CF%, 49.01 xGF%). His metrics suggest he was more unlucky than ineffective. Now in the AHL with Grand Rapids, he has nine assists in 12 games.
Would Gustafsson make sense for the Rangers now?
When Fox missed time in November 2023, Gustafsson stepped up in a big way — averaging 19:43 per game and posting 11 points in 12 contests. His puck-moving ability and power-play instincts were a major boost before Fox returned in December.
The Rangers lack a true puck-moving defenseman at the moment, and Gustafsson’s passing vision and experience still stand out. At 33, a return to New York could be something that reenergizes him.
He carries a $2 million cap hit, which means the Rangers would need to clear space to bring him in. One option could be moving Urho Vaakanainen and his $1.55 million cap hit for this season and next, especially given how little trust the coaching staff seems to have in him.
What this means for Scott Morrow
The situation also reflects how the organization views Scott Morrow. Despite strong AHL performances and the perfect chance created by Fox’s injury, Morrow still hasn’t earned a full opportunity at the NHL level. If the Rangers are actively searching for a defenseman to run the power play, it suggests they don’t yet believe Morrow is ready for that role.
Overall, the Rangers’ interest in a temporary power-play quarterback — including the possibility of revisiting Erik Gustafsson — shows the urgency to stabilize the blue line until Fox returns.