Hockey season is nearly upon us, and the New York Rangers are back on the ice. After surprising everyone (except Rangers fans) with an incredible trip to the Eastern Conference Final, will they be able to surprise people again? Fans can only hope so. The Rangers have had some additions and subtractions to the roster, but it remains the same. Will the young players continue to show progress? Hopefully. Will the Rangers be better than last season? Maybe.
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Rookie Camp
The rookies reported yesterday to camp, and they will be there through September 20. There will be two games against the Flyers Friday and Saturday. The Rangers are hosting 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goalies this year. With so much talent on the ice, will anyone stand out? The Rangers certainly hope so. They will see where the players are in terms of their development and if any of them will end up playing in the AHL for the Hartford Wolfpack. Here are a few players to keep an eye on.
Brennan Othmann
The 19-year-old had 97 points in 66 games last season with the Flint Firebirds. He might make the roster for a few games. However, keep in mind he is not eligible yet to go to the AHL. He would have to go back to the OHL, even if he could make the team and play a few games for the Rangers.
Adam Sykora
While no one expects the 2022 draft pick to make the team, it will be great to see how he performs in camp. Sykora has skated for Slovakia in several tournaments and was selected first overall in July by the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL in the CHL’s Import Draft. The Rangers signed him in July to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Will Cuylle
Cuylle is eligible to play for the Wolfpack, but he made such an impression on the Rangers at last year’s camp he might grab a spot in the bottom six. While he is considered not as skilled as Othmann, he has a powerful left-handed shot and an advantage with his size and strength.
Matthew Robertson
Robertson played last season for Hartford and ended up with 11 points in 65 games. He might be the most NHL-ready, but he will have to compete for a spot to be on the third pairing. He will have Zachary Jones and Libor Hajek as competition. Jones played 12 games for the Rangers, and Hajek played 17.
Dylan Garand
While this upcoming season won’t find Garand as the backup for Igor Shesterkin, he will be if he continues to develop. As for now, the Rangers will go with a veteran as the backup. He was recently awarded the 2021-22 Del Wilson Memorial Trophy, given to the WHL’s top goalie. If the Rangers think he is ready, he is eligible to play for Hartford this season.
Rangers Training Camp
The day after rookie camp ends, training camp begins. First, the boys will go through off-ice physicals and then practices and scrimmages. Then, though the lineup is pretty much set, the preseason games, starting on September 26, will give the coaches and fans a glimpse at the rookies and prospects. It will also be a time for the Rangers to find out how their top six will be arranged with the addition of Vincent Trocheck to the team. Most think he will be centering a line with Artemi Panarin. In addition, it will be interesting to see the third defensemen pairings and how they look and work out in the preseason games.
The Rangers have a lot going on for training camp. While many may not look at them as a team in a rebuild, there is still much tweaking to the lines that will be done.
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