Day: September 24, 2023

The New York Rangers opened their preseason tonight with a 3-0 loss in Boston. Starting 45 minutes later than scheduled due to travel delays, it took probably another 20-30 minutes for the team to properly find its rhythm, and except for some costly mistakes, the visiting Blueshirts probably ended the game with more quality chances.

It was a game without meaning for either team, with the focus really being on combinations and the opportunity for players to impress upon their new coach in hopes of earning a call-up later in the year.

While part of the Rangers camp headed up to Boston for the preseason opener, the remainder of the team scrimmaged off against each other. One player absent for today’s activities was rookie Brennan Othmann, who did not skate today and is being held out with an upper body injury that is listed as day to day.

Perhaps more concerning is the news that Mika Zibanejad left the ice today “hunched over in pain”, clutching his right arm. When Peter Laviolette was asked about it, the new Head Coach had no news, and just said he’s day to day.

With the first part of Training Camp complete, and the team scheduled to make their Preseason debut tonight in Boston (7:00pm EDT), Peter Laviolette and Chris Drury made their first cuts in order to trim the roster.

The first to go was goaltender Olof Lindbom this morning, with the team making him the first reassignment to Hartford. Lindbom has struggled since signing being drafted in the 2nd round – 39th overall back in 2018. At 23, and in the final year of his ELC, it would appear that he is almost certainly not going to be qualified next Summer without a significant turnaround.