P.J. Stock

First Cuts At Camp

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

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