There should be almost two months till the Rangers take the ice for coaching camp, however the membership’s offseason enterprise is actually full contemplating there isn’t a lot cap area remaining to work with. Whereas a majority of the lineup is locked in, there are just a few spots that may see pleasant competitors between prospects and new signings through the weeklong camp in late September.
Gamers reminiscent of Vitali Kravtsov, Zac Jones and Nils Lundkvist are barely thought-about prospects anymore. Every of the three has 25 or fewer NHL video games to his identify and might be tasked with impressing Rangers administration throughout coaching camp to keep up standing with the group. For the sake of this text, nonetheless, we’ll think about them prospects.
Whether or not they make the opening-night roster outright or are recalled to fill in resulting from harm, listed below are the highest 5 prospects almost certainly to be in a Rangers jersey this upcoming season:
1. Vitali Kravtsov
After going dwelling to Russia to play within the Kontinental Hockey League as a substitute of accepting his American Hockey League project from the Rangers final season, Kravtsov signed a one-year, $875,000 contract for the 2022-23 season in what's presumably his final shot in New York. There's a spot on the Rangers’ roster that's Kravtsov’s for the taking; all of the 22-year-old must do is show he deserves it. The Rangers can be in an excellent spot if Kravtsov can convincingly earn a spot within the opening-night lineup — not simply to reap the advantages of his offensive upside, however to maintain their cap state of affairs beneath wrap.
Potential lineup spot: Proper wing within the center six
2. Zac Jones
Because the Rangers traded Patrik Nemeth to the Coyotes and misplaced Justin Braun in free company, they've a gap on the left aspect of the third defensive pairing, presumably subsequent to Braden Schneider. Other than Lundkvist, Jones has probably the most NHL expertise among the many remainder of the Rangers’ defensive prospects. In 12 video games final season whereas filling in amid accidents, Jones recorded two assists and was a minus-7 with eight pictures on objective.
Whereas head coach Gerard Gallant might desire a veteran presence again there, or perhaps a much bigger participant than the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Jones, he would make for an incredible choice to quarterback the second energy play — his specialty at Massachusetts.
Potential lineup spot: Left aspect of third defensive pair
3. Will Cuylle
There is no such thing as a query Cuylle is bodily able to make the soar to the NHL. He performs with a bodily edge that the Rangers may use of their backside six ought to an harm come up or issues go awry with gamers reminiscent of Ryan Reaves, Sammy Blais or Dryden Hunt.
Cuylle went by way of an adjustment interval in his first season with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, in 2020-21, when he completed with two objectives and three assists in 18 video games. The Rangers might want him to show he can dominate on the AHL stage earlier than he joins the varsity membership.
Potential lineup spot: Wing of the underside six
4. Brennan Othmann
The tough state of affairs with Othmann is that he can't be assigned to the AHL. As a result of he received’t flip 20 till Jan. 5, Othmann can solely be assigned again to the OHL or to the NHL roster. He’s coming off a breakout season, racking up 50 objectives and 97 factors in 66 video games with the OHL’s Flint Firebirds. Othmann additionally recorded 9 objectives and 15 assists in 19 playoff video games.
Potential lineup spot: Wing of the center six
5. Matthew Robertson
If there may be apprehension over Jones’ dimension, Robertson is definitely the opposite possibility, with an NHL-ready construct. The Rangers have already gotten a take a look at Jones and Lundkvist, however Robertson has but to make his NHL debut, and the group might need to see what they've within the 6-foot-4, 201-pounder.
Potential lineup spot: Left aspect of third defensive pair
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