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| ► OTG POLL
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Previous Polls
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| ► RUMOR MILL
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Friday - February 24th
So it appears the Rangers and Blackhawks are heading to a trade for Kane. Given the most likely path to freeing up money, we should see Jake Leschyshyn on waivers today, which would allow for a trade on March 3rd.
Multiple reports suggest that the Blackhawks have come down on their asking price, with Kane said to have pushed hard for a move to New York.
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| MORE RUMORS...
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| ► INJURY REPORT |
| Patrick Kane |
4/6 |
| Did not practice Tuesday, and sat out Wednesday against the Lightning, though Gallant said he would have played if this was the playoffs |
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| MORE INJURY NEWS... |
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Question Of The Day
August 19th, 2021
Earlier this year the Rangers won by a margin of nine goals as they beat the Flyers 9-0. How many times has the margin been bigger?
Answer...
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| SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 |
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CAPTION THIS
Read the submissions so far and see if you can come up with the best caption
for
Comments so far...
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| ► RANDOM RANGER |
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JOHN MITCHELL
(2011-2012)
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Born: |
Jan 22 - 1985 |
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Position: |
Center |
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Games Played: |
63 |
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Goals: |
5 |
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Assists: |
11 |
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Points: |
16 |
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Penalty Minutes: |
8 |
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| CAMP ANALYSIS |
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CAMP INFORMATION |
Location
Greenburgh, NY
September 22nd
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| PRESEASON RESULTS |
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0 - 4 |
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3 - 2 |
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1 - 7 |
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4 - 3 |
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6 - 2 |
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5 - 4 |
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| ROSTER |
| Invitees: |
60 |
| Remaining: |
23 |
| Maximum Roster: |
23 |
| CALENDAR |
| September |
| 22 |
Training Camp |
| 26 |
NHL Pre-Season Opener |
| October |
| 9 |
Final Pre-Season Game |
| 12 |
NHL Opener |
| 13 |
Rangers Opener |
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| Projected Forwards
- First Line |
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| Chris Kreider |
Mika Zibanejad |
Alexis Lafreniere |
It seems likely that Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere will be on the top line, but there perhaps remains some question
as to whether Chris Kreider retains his place or which of Kreider of
Lafreniere switches to their off-wing. Kreider probably has
the inside track with the new coach, who may lean against making
wholesale changes to begin with and look to see if he can rejuvenate
Kreider's game.
Lafreniere started to get his legs under him as his rookie season
went on, and seems the most prepared to be on the top line with
Zibanejad, so it would seem like a good chance that this is your 1A
line to start the year. Alternatives might include switching
Kreider down to the third line and bringing up a second young
winger. Kaapo Kakko in that case could slot into the right
wing slot and Lafreniere would be on his natural left.
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| Projected Forwards
- Second Line |
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| Artemi Panarin |
Ryan Strome |
Kaapo Kakko |
The pairing of Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome looks set to continue for a third season, despite all attempts by the
Rangers to replace Strome. The real question is who will be
the third part of the line. Kaapo Kakko saw some duty last
year, and while his defensive game in particular improved a lot last
season, it reamins to be seen whether he can gel offensively with
his older and more experienced linemates. Alternatively
Gallant might go with Vitali Kravtsov on the right, a player who has
limited NHL experience at this stage of his career, but showed some
positive signs, particularly when he was first inserted into the
line-up.
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| Projected Forwards
- Third Line |
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| Barclay Goodrow |
Filip Chytil |
Vitali Kravtsov |
The third line is perhaps the hardest one to
construct at this point of the season, with the Rangers caught in a
transition between the offensive mindset of the previous regime and
the new harder edged version that Crhis Drury is looking to
transition to. Barclay Goodrow was signed to six years and a
significant increase over his previous contract and looks set to be
on the third line, either as a wing or center.
Filip Chytil too is coming off a newly signed contract, and at this
point is the only center signed beyond this season. To say the
style of play between Goodrow and Chytil on paper don't seem to
match would be an understatement.
It might make sense to shift Chris Kreider down to this line and
perhaps even Kaapo Kakko, and have Goodrow in the middle, though at
this stage it seems possible that the Rangers will start with Vitali
Kravtsov on the right.
Another choice might be to move Goodrow down to the fourth line and perhaps insert Morgan Barron onto the third,
though seems a less likely path, and wouldn't look great for Chris
Drury's premier signing for the off-season.
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| Projected Forwards
- Fourth Line |
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| Sammy Blais |
Kevin Rooney |
Ryan Reaves |
This year's fourth line looks set to be your classic banging line with the addition of Sammy Blais and Ryan Reaves. Kevin Rooney looks the
best bet to win the fourth line center role, though that could
easily change if Blais gets another one of his frequent injuries or
it's decided to rest Reaves.
Ryan Reaves looks a certainty given Gallant's penchant to go with
guys he's trusted in the past, and even while he's 34 and is in the
twilight of his career, the coach is likely to stick with him until
it's abundantly clear there's not a regular role for him.
That means Morgan Barron and Dryden Hunt will likely have to
significantly outplay Sammy Blais in camp in order to win a spot on
the roster, with Rooney likely well ahead of both given his ability
to play on the PK too.
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| Projected Forwards:
Reserves |
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| Dryden Hunt |
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Greg McKegg |
How many reserve forwards the Rangers keep up remains to be seen, but given their current Cap situation, they have the
room to go with a full 23 man roster. Dryden Hunt looks to be a good shot to be held in reserve here as a depth winger, as does
Greg McKegg, who rejoins the team after a one year stint with Boston. In the case of Hunt, there's an outside chance he
beats out Blais for the final fourth line spot, whereas McKegg would likely need an injury to push his case for the starting line-up.
OTHER NOTBALE FORWARDS
Morgan Barron - Originally thought to be a lock, now looks like
he'll start the year in Hartford
Will Cuylle - Worth keeping an eye on, could be a call-up during the
year with a good season
Julien Gauthier - Hard to see where Gauthier fits now, and he could
be lost on waivers or via trade
Karl Henriksson - If he does indeed make it to camp, will return to
Sweden this year
Brennan Othmann (1st camp) - 1st round pick, could get a little longer look in
camp
Lauri Pajuniemi (1st camp) - Another prospect forward that will be worth
getting a look at
Justin Richards - Had his NHL debut last seasson, but is projected
to be in Hartford
Veterans expected to play in Hartford:
Jonny Brodzinski
Tim Gettinger
Anthony Greco
First Camp:
Jayden Grubbe - 2021 Draft Pick
Patrick Khodorenko - UFA signing
Ryder Korczak - 2021 Draft Pick
Matthew Rempe - 2020 Draft Pick
Austin Rueschhoff - UFA signing
Evan Vierling - 2020 Draft Pick
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| Projected Defense -
1st Pair |
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| Ryan Lindgren |
Adam Fox |
Not much uncertainty about the top pair this
time round, with Norris trophy winner Adam Fox back with Ryan
Lindgren for their third season. It's hard to see there being any change here.
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| Projected Defense - 2nd Pair |
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| K'Andre Miller |
Jacob Trouba |
Like the first pair, the second pair of defensemen seems to be pretty well determined after a strong rookie season by K'Andre
Miller who impressed out of development camp and then forced his way into the starting line-up. Voted to the league's rookie all-star team, Miller looks set for a long future on the blueline.
The only real question here is whether the Rangers will make Jacob
Trouba their official captain.
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| Projected Defense - 3rd Pair |
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| Patrik Nemeth |
Nils Lundkvist |
Off-season signing Patrik Nemeth becomes the
projected third pair left defensemen, at least in the short term.
With Zac Jones and Matthew Robertson potentially pushing claims for
a starting role, he'll need to play well enough to keep them out of
the line-up. There is some question as to who he'll pair with
though, with most thinking that the promising Nils Lundkvist will be
the one to take that step. Signing his first NHL contract back
in May, there's plenty to look forward to with the young Swede,
particularly on the offensive side of the ice.
If Lundkvist looks like he needs some time to adjust, then Zac Jones
would seemingly be first in line to take the spot. The natural
left sided defender is comfortable on either side, and played well
enough last year to suggest he'll be able to play in the NHL on a
regular basis. Another name to consider is 2020 first round
pick, Braden Schneider. Since the Rangers moved up a
couple of spots to draft him, he's continued his progression as the
type of defender most organizations are constantly in search of.
Lundkvist having an extra year on Schneider might give him a little
more leeway, but either way the future looks good on the Rangers
blueline.
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| Projected Defense -
Reserves |
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| Jared Tinordi |
Veteran defender Jarred Tinordi looks the odds-on favorite to take the reserve defenseman's spot,
a position he's well accustomed to at this stage of his career.
If the Rangers elect to keep two defenders, then Libor Hajek might
get a look in as well, but it seems most likely that they'll either
trade Hajek or have him start in Hartford.
OTHER NOTBALE DEFENSEMEN
Mason Geertsen - Free agent signing last year, may end up being moved to forward
Libor Hajek - Played a good part of last season thanks to injuries, but looks set to be back in Hartford
Zac Jones - Finished the year as a regular, but projects to start in Hartford unless he can beat out Lundkvist
Tarmo Reunanen - Had his NHL debut last season, but will be pushed
further down the depth chart
Matthew Robertson - A solid prospect for the Rangers, could be a
future left side defender who can play both ends
Braden Schneider - If Lundkvist wasn't in camp, he might be battling
Jones for that last defensive spot
Hunter Skinner - Joined the Wolf Pack last season and could be a
potential depth defender on a shallower team
Veterans expected to play in Hartford:
Anthony Bitetto
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| Projected Goaltending |
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| Igor Shesterkin |
Alexandar Georgiev |
A record-setting contract for Igor Shesterkin has made him the
undisputed starter of this team, although he'd pretty much sewn that up
after Alexandar Georgiev struggled last year. As it stands now
Shesterkin will likely get 70-80% of the starts, with Georgiev relegated
to the role of backup. There's a chance that a poor camp (or a
trade) could push Keith Kinkaid into contention, but at least going in,
it's Georgiev's position to lose.
OTHER NOTBALE GOALIES
Dylan Garand - Probably the best prospective netminder in the
Rangers system, got a taste of the AHL last year
Adam Huska - Had a pretty good season in Hartford last season, but
is fourth on the depth chart right now
Tyler Wall - Struggled in his first pro year, will be looking for
improvement in 2021-22 and may end up being in Jacksonville
Veterans expected to play in Hartford:
Keith Kinkaid
First Camp:
Talyn Boyko - 2021 Draft Pick
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