Finally! The Rangers are back in camp
and back on the ice. This week we take a look at Training Camp and
try to look at what the Rangers may look like when the puck finally drops
October 5th.
Last weekend saw the completion of the
annual rookie tournament up in Kitchener, Ontario. The Rangers
Rookies did not impress in their outings, managing only one win (shoot-out
against the Hurricanes) and two lop-sided losses. In all the Rookies
were outscored 16-8 in the three games with Dan Blackburn and Scott Meyer
in goal.
Another disappointment from the rookie camp
was perhaps the cutting of 1998 5th Round Draft Pick (122 over all),
Patrick Leahy. Rangers fans had hoped the 6'3" 200lb forward
would bring some size to the team, but with little improvement over the
last couple of seasons with Miami of Ohio his days were numbered.
The tragedy in the past week may have
delayed the start to the Rangers pre-season, but the coaching staff and
management went ahead with trimming their rosters for the opening game on
Monday. There weren't many surprises, but a few names will draw some
attention.
Barrett Heisten and Mikael Samuelsson were
acquired this off-season and many fans have high hopes for this duo.
Glen Sather has openly spoken his appreciation for Samuelsson, while
Heisten provides a style of game that is always appreciated in the
NHL. Both passed the first test and made it to the pre-season squad,
but it looks like there may only be room for one in the big club with the
season opens against Carolina.
Newly acquired Steve McKenna made the cut
as did fellow tough-guy Richard Scott who spent a year with the Checkers
before breaking into the Wolfpack line-up last season. Both Left
Wingers rely on their physical game, but the 6'8" 250lb McKenna
towers over his younger team mate. Scott looks like a long-shot to
make the club and will probably have to beat McKenna out for a spot on the
roster.
Journeyman Ed Ward, who has played with
five different NHL teams, played four games with the Eastern Conference
Champions New Jersey Devils last season. The 31 year old Right
Winger could make the team as a fourth line right winger, but will most
likely end up with Hartford if he does end up sticking with the Rangers at
all.
Of the names that were left off, perhaps
those of Layne Ulmer and Garth Murray are the most disappointing. It
seemed like a long shot that either of these players would make it to the
Rangers squad and it appears as if it'll be at least another year before
we get another look at Murray.
On defense there were no surprises, though
the addition of Martin Richter is encouraging after last year's bout with
home-sickness. The two Russian draftees Zhvachin and Tjutin look set
to join the Guelph Storm in the OHL this year.
It appears too that Labarbera and Yeremeyev
failed to impress, but they've left the door open for 2001 1st Round Draft
Pick Dan Blackburn to make a run at the backup position. Blackburn
is having his praises sang high and low around the league and is starting
to run the risk of being over-hyped. I for one hope the mature
youngster goes back to the WHL for another year of play before he's given
his shot at the NHL.
Skudra and Holmqvist will most likely
battle it out for the backup job this season. Don't be too surprised
if you see the former Penguins goal-tender dressing come opening night.
Those who made it...
Forwards:
Zdeno Ciger, Radek Dvorak, Theoren Fleury, Michal Grosek, Barrett Heisten,
Andreas Johansson, Eric Lindros, Jamie Lundmark, Manny Malhotra, Sandy
McCarthy, Steve McKenna, Mark Messier, Mikael Samuelsson, Richard Scott,
Jeff Toms, Ed Ward, Mike York
Defense:
Dave Karpa, Brian Leetch, Vladimir
Malakhov, Mike Mottau, Filip Novak, Dale Purinton, Martin Richter, Peter
Smrek, Igor Ulanov, Darren Van Impe
Goalies:
Dan Blackburn, Johan Holmqvist,
Mike Richter, Petr Skudra
Those who didn't...
Forwards:
Jason Dawe, Brandon Dietrich, Dave
Duerden, Benoit Dusablon, Ken Gernander, Sean Haggerty, Todd Hall, Jeff
Hamilton, Ryan Hollweg, Boyd Kane, Marquis Mathieu, Brad Mehalko, Mirko
Murovic, Garth Murray, Petr Preucil, Ryan Reinheller, Brad Smyth, Juris
Stals, PJ Stock, Troy Stonier, Layne Ulmer
Defense:
Dean Arsene, Sean Gagnon, Christian
Gosselin, Wes Jarvis, Matt Kinch, Anders Myrvold, Rory Rawlyk, Dean
Serdachny, Chris St. Croix, Fedor Tjutin, Terry Virtue, Leonid Zhvachin
Goalies:
Jason LaBarbera, Scott Meyer, Bryce
Wandler, Vitali Yeremeyev
The Fish Bowl
