Four more players were cut today, bringing the Rangers training camp roster down to 34, with a minimum of 10 cuts still to be made – assuming Jesper Fast goes on LTIR. The team will likely see more cuts tomorrow after tonight’s game against the Flyers – MSG 7:30pm, ahead of their final preseason game on Tuesday.
Forwards Cole Schneider, Scott Kosmachuk and Daniel Catenacci have all been reassigned to Hartford, as has defenseman Brandon Crawley. Of the four, the 20 year old Crawley made the biggest impression, scoring the Rangers’ olnly goal on Sunday, and playing a strong game given this is his first camp. Drafted in June, there was little expectation that the New Jersey native would make it to the NHL roster on opening night, but he has certainly caught some attention and the future looks bright for him.
Veterans Schneider and Catenacci will serve as youngish veteran leaders on a relatively remade Hartford roster this year, possibly getting call-ups during the year if the team has injuries at the forward position.
Kosmachuk, who was signed to an AHL contract, willl also add some experience, entering his fourth season as a pro, joining the Wolf Pack after stints with the St John’s IceCaps and Manitoba Moose to go along with 8 games with the Winnipeg Jets two seasons ago.