We've already examined the Rangers' depth charts at all three forward positions this week, so now it's time to turn our attention to the back end.

Barring an unexpected late-summer move, New York's core of defensemen and goalies will be largely unchanged heading into the 2024-25 season. It's believed that team president Chris Drury considered the possibility of a shakeup − specifically by exploring ways to work around captain Jacob Trouba's 15-team no-trade list − but for a variety of reasons, a deal never materialized. That leaves the Blueshirts with familiar names at pretty much every defensive spot in their projected lineup.

Depth charts: Analyzing what the Rangers have at all three forward positions

There could be a few subtle modifications regarding how each remaining NHL piece is used and which players are next in line for opportunities, with the following exercise aimed at analyzing the state of the organization on both sides of the defense and in net.

Left-handed defensemen

NHL bound

1. Ryan Lindgren

2. K’Andre Miller

3. Zac Jones

Next in line

4. Ben Harpur

5. Connor Mackey

6. Brandon Scanlin

Analysis: Lindgren’s new one-year, $4.5 million contract locked the final piece on defense in place, with the expectation that he’ll resume his role as the Robin to Adam Fox’s Batman. He’s been a reliable partner for one of the NHL’s best defensemen for five seasons and counting, with his eagerness to do the grunt work perfectly complementing Fox’s elite skill and playmaking ability. But last year could be viewed as a hiccup for the longstanding duo, who posted their worst xGF (46.39%, according to Natural Stat Trick) in any single season and were even worse (41.62%) in the playoffs.

Both were playing hurt at the end of the postseason run – a right-knee injury for Fox and cracked rib for Lindgren – and have a strong enough history together to merit a chance for redemption. But should they falter again, the Rangers could opt to move on from Lindgren next summer. The one-year contract made it clear this is a prove-it season for the rugged 26-year-old.

Miller will need a new deal by this time next year, as well, but his future in New York feels more secure. The 24-year-old has developed into the lefty the Blueshirts lean on most in tough defensive situations, ranking second behind only Fox in average time on ice per game. Belief is there’s even more upside in the tank, with the hope that a contract year will provide that extra push.

The Rangers are poised to let another homegrown defenseman step up as a their third LHD. Jones has patiently waited his turn since turning pro in 2021, and while the team seemed reluctant to use him in a full-time role the previous two seasons, the 23-year-old opened eyes with a late-season cameo. He filled in admirably while Trouba missed most of March with a broken ankle and earned the trust of head coach Peter Laviolette. As a result, Drury let veteran Erik Gustafsson walk in free agency and declined to sign any others, clearing a path for Jones to play regularly.

Some will question whether the 5-foot-10, 176-pounder has the size and strength to consistently defend the world’s biggest-and-strongest forwards, but his puck-moving skills should be a welcome addition for a D corps that’s struggled with breakouts in recent years.

After the top-three, the Rangers have a mix of veterans and youth who will compete to be the next-man up. Harpur and Mackey have the edge in experience and have been trusted in seventh defensemen roles before, while Scanlin made a strong impression last season as what one source described as “(AHL) Hartford’s best D.” Matthew Robertson remains in the organization, as well, but the fact that the 2019 second-round pick has yet to make his NHL debut speaks to his diminishing prospect status.

Right-handed defensemen

NHL bound

1. Adam Fox

2. Braden Schneider

3. Jacob Trouba

Next in line

4. Chad Ruhwedel

5. Casey Fitzgerald

6. Victor Mancini

Analysis: Speculation ran rampant that the Rangers might do something to change the look of the RHD depth chart, but it didn’t amount to much. A Trouba trade never came to fruition, which means the same three defensemen are expected to suit up on the right side in 2024-25.

The only difference may be the order in which they’re deployed. Fox remains the clear-cut No. 1 – and one of the best defensemen in the entire league – but Schneider surpassed a hobbled Trouba at the end of the season and proved to be a better partner for Miller, particularly during the playoffs. Odds are that Laviolette will keep that arrangement heading into camp, but nothing is set in stone. Don’t be shocked if he gives a motivated (and healthy) Trouba an opportunity to reclaim his spot.

Ruhwedel was re-signed as insurance and the likely seventh defenseman. He served in that role throughout most of his eight-year run in Pittsburgh and provides a trusted veteran who can step in if injury strikes the top six.

Fitzgerald has a chance to work his way into that mix, as well, as summer depth signing with 63 games of NHL experience under his belt. The 27-year-old is almost surely ticketed for Hartford, where he and Mancini – a 22-year-old prospect the Rangers like for his toughness and physicality – are in line for regular ice time.

Goalies

NHL bound

1. Igor Shesterkin

2. Jonathan Quick

Next in line

3. Louis Domingue

4. Dylan Garand

Analysis: This group looks exactly the same heading into the new season, with very little up for debate.

Shesterkin reaffirmed his place as one of the NHL’s best netminders with a strong finish, while Quick revived his storied career by making a seamless transition to a backup role. The 38-year-old earned a one-year extension by posting his best save percentage (.911) since 2017-18 across 27 dependable appearances.

Domingue will enter his third season as the organization’s No. 3, providing a veteran fallback in the event of injury to one of the top two. But the player who’s positioned to rise to No. 2 on this depth chart by this time next year is Garand. The 22-year-old prospect has two full AHL seasons under his belt, and while he got off to slow starts in both of them, he finished with flurries. The 2020 fourth-round pick posted a .927 SV% and 2.21 goals against average across 17 career postseason appearances, but a steadier regular season will be needed to convince Rangers’ brass he’s ready for an NHL spot by 2025-26.

The Blueshirts also have prospects Talyn Boyko and Hugo Ollas under contract, which could be the tandem for their new ECHL affiliate in Bloomington, Illinois.

Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rangers' depth charts: Analyzing defenseman and goalies