New York today trimmed their camp roster to 49 with the reassignment of five players to the AHL and minors. Forwards Adam Chapie, Robin Kovacs and defenseman Brenden Kotyk will all reassigned to Hartford of the AHL where camp begins this Friday. Ty Ronning and TImothy Gettinger were sent back to their junior teams after both having competed in the Traverse City Prospects Tournament.
For the 26 year old Chapie, it probably marks the beginning of the end for his tenure at the Rangers. Signed to a two year contract as an undrafted free agent out of UMass-Lowell, he has failed to make an impression in consecutive camps, and could well end up back in the ECHL with the Swamp Rabiits. Drafted in the third round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Kovacs has not panned out in his first two seasons, and has this year and next to try and show that he has what it takes to play in North America. The Swedish winger registered 2 goals and 10 assists in 72 games last year, and did not impress in his second Traverse City Tournament.
Gettinger’s future looks brighter, though he’ll get another year to improve his game in the OHL, while Ronning will need a strong year if he hopes to earn a contract for the Rangers before the June 1st deadline.
The next cuts are expected to come Saturday following the Islanders game on Friday night.