The Rangers get their 2026-27 Preseason schedule under way tonight in New Jersey – 7:00pm EST. It’ll mark the first of four games in the abbreviated schedule that will be the norm going forward. There’s also a number of new restrictions on the number of players who can play more than two games as detailed here.
It has also been typical to see relatively inexperienced line-ups start off on the road, and that tradition along with those new constraints is a big reason why we’ll see a pretty inexperienced side hit the ice tonight in Newark.
PROJECTED LINE-UP
Tonight’s line-up will feature just one forward, four defensemen and one goaltender that finished the season with the Rangers last year. You can add in Matt Rempe as well if you want to, though he was injured.
The lone forward is Adam Sykora, who got a call-up late in the season and made the most of his opportunity. He’s very unlikely to start the year with New York though, with three new forwards added to the roster and his waiver exemption status working against him. As you’d expect, Sykora has been noticeable throughout the rookie camp and training camp, bringing his usual energy.
Other forwards with NHL experience include Juuso Parssinen, Justin Dowling, Anton Blidh and Glenn Gawdin. Of the four, Gawdin is the only new addition, with each of the others seeing cameos last season.
DEFENSE LOOKS A LITTLE BETTER
Five of the six blueliners in the line-up played for New York last season, with the sixth – Dennis Cholowski – ranking second in number of NHL games played. Only Urho Vaakanainen has played more than his 173 appearances. Only Robertson seems to be in line for a roster spot though, with Scott Morrow, Drew Fortescue and Vincent Iorio likely heading to Hartford.
Assuming no one claims Morrow or Iorio that is.
Vaakanainen would in theory be the seventh defenseman but might find his position under pressure to start the season after getting pushed further down the line-up in last year’s lost season. Notably he practiced with Group B in camp, as the Rangers look at the possibility of Alberts Smits making the line-up.
GARAND GETS FIRST SHOT
Dylan Garand will have his work cut out for him tonight with the team in front of him, and will need to be on top of his game to continue the battle for the backup spot. Whether Callum Tung gets any time remains to be seen, but it appears he might get to split some time with Garand.
Will add the New Jersey Devils line-up when it’s shared.
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