Heading into the 2025–26 NHL season, Adam Fox’s reputation has diminished considerably. Once hailed as one of the league’s top defensemen, Fox now ranks 16th on NHL Network’s Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list — a sharp fall from second place in 2023 and eighth the previous year. This decline follows an injury-plagued 2023–24 campaign, combined with both his personal downturn and the Rangers’ overall struggles last season. The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament seemed to accentuate the issue, with Scott Wheeler noting,
The 4 Nations Face-Off turned Adam Fox into the most underrated player in the NHL.
Even with this drop, Fox managed to record 10 goals, 51 assists, and 61 points over 74 games, averaging 23 minutes and 15 seconds of ice time each night. But at 27 years old, an age when many players enter their peak, questions are mounting about the reasons behind his stalling progression.
Rangers’ Mixed Views on Adam Fox’s Role and Future
The critical question for New York now is whether Fox’s recent slide makes him more of a tradable asset rather than the franchise cornerstone he once was viewed as. His significant ice time, power-play responsibilities, and skill in moving the puck remain key to the team’s strategy. However, doubts regarding his leadership qualities and inconsistent performances suggest that his status within the organization may be less secure than previously assumed.
Hockey News veteran Stan Fischler shared insights from a scout on August 6, revealing,
Leadership? Forget about it. He’s obviously is not considered character-strong enough a personality, otherwise management would have named him captain by now.
In an effort to reduce pressure on Fox, the Rangers signed defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a lengthy seven-year contract worth $49 million during the offseason. Despite this move, the expectation remains for Fox to reclaim his Norris Trophy-winning form. Should he fail to do so, and if the Rangers’ struggles persist, trade discussions around him are likely to gain traction — even if such ideas currently seem improbable.
Contract Considerations and the Potential Trade Outlook for Fox
Fox currently holds a full no-move clause, but it will transition to a modified no-trade clause after two seasons, which could facilitate a trade down the line. Moving his $9.5 million salary cap hit would provide the Rangers with much-needed flexibility to pursue additional roster changes.
As Fischler points out, Fox remains an intriguing figure: a local talent who reportedly forced his way to New York by declining opportunities from the Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes, established himself as a Norris Trophy winner in 2021, and was once seen as an essential long-term piece for the team. Nevertheless, with his value slipping, fans and analysts alike are left to wonder whether Adam Fox remains the future centerpiece of the Rangers or is becoming one of their top trade assets.