On Thursday, NHL training camps opened up. The Rangers were back getting work in at their practice facility in Greenburgh.

With the first preseason game on Sunday against the Bruins, it won’t take long to get a feel for what to expect from new coach Peter Laviolette. A very honest man, when it comes to assessing the important details of his system, the veteran coach gave some good answers to the press about what’s made his past teams successful.

Laviolette brings a fresh perspective to a team that concluded 2022-23 in disappointing fashion. More of an x and o’s guy, he understands what winning hockey should look like. There’s a reason he guided three different NHL teams to the Stanley Cup Finals. The biggest highlight came when he took the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup 17 years ago. He also got the Flyers and Predators to that stage. No small feat.

“There’s a lot of talent and there’s a lot of skill on this team, and I understand that,” he told Arthur Staple of The Athletic. “I also can talk about teams that I’ve coached that had some success. There’s a certain identity to the way they play. I could also talk about teams that make it deep into the playoffs — to the final four, the final two, the Stanley Cup champions. There’s a certain attitude that they play with, as well. There’s a work ethic that goes behind that.

“I’ve never wanted to be only a skilled team, and I’ve never wanted to be just a hardworking team. When you can combine the two and you can get them on the same page, which is the purpose of training camp, it’s to establish your identity. It’s to work on it. It’s to make the mistakes, to fix the mistakes, to gain confidence with what you’re doing on the ice. I feel like when that happens, then the team starts to get confidence in the way that they’re playing. I don’t know if it’s just the skill that you’re looking for or just the work ethic. For me, it’s a good combination of both.”

Laviolette also had a nice sit down with captain Jacob Trouba at dinner, where they talked about the team. He was impressed with the hard-nosed defenseman who plays the game the way it’s supposed to be.

“My conversations with him have been excellent,” Laviolette said. “He’s a really good leader. I believe that he has a good voice in the locker room. I believe that his daily habits are excellent. The conversations that I’ve had with him — he cares deeply about his teammates, about this team, about striving for success for this team — and those are the qualities that you want in a captain. Somebody who cares about their teammates, somebody who leads by example, somebody who is willing to face adverse situations and be the guy that says something or does something or can right the ship. He certainly has those qualities.”

There’s a lot to like just from listening to the tone of Laviolette during press conferences. He had a sarcastic joke for veteran New York Post writer Larry Brooks about his first lines during today’s practice. Then, he explained more about the system that will be installed by the weekend.

From the sound of it, it looks like the Rangers will have a different approach to this camp. As far as the initial lines that include Alexis Lafreniere on the right wing with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. Blake Wheeler is getting a look with Filip Chytil and Artemi Panarin. Kaapo Kakko was with Vincent Trocheck and Barclay Goodrow. Jimmy Vesey and Tyler Pitlick were with Nick Bonino, which could very well be how they line up on Opening Night.

Laviolette’s made it clear that he will move players around in search of different combos. Chris Drury said Laviolete would have free reign to try different things. That includes K’Andre Miller with Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren with Trouba.

There’s nothing wrong with finding out what works. I’m on record as being open to seeing Miller and Fox together. If they are, that could be a good tandem that can create offense off puck possession. Lindgren with Trouba could be the physical shutdown pair if they prove they can work together. At the moment, veteran Erik Gustafsson has a leg up on Zac Jones for the sixth defenseman. He was paired with Braden Schneider. Jones was with Ben Harpur.

Whatever happens, it’ll be interesting. There’s a lot to look forward to.

Rookie Focus: Before the start of training camp and preseason, the rookies were on display during Rookie Camp.

Last weekend, the Rangers defeated the Flyers twice in a rookie prospect tournament. Bobby Trivigno scored twice last Sunday. A diminutive forward who is generously listed at 5-8, the former University of Massachusetts product had 26 points (7-19-26) in his first full season for Hartford last year. The undrafted 24-year-old is a long shot to crack the Rangers. But he could be one of those classic overachievers.

For the Rangers, Rookie Camp meant seeing some of the younger players who are still looking to make a name for themselves. Although the organization doesn’t do much to promote their youth, they at least had some interviews with a few players whom we could see in the future.

Brennan Othmann tops the list. The former 2021 first round pick enters his first pro season. A long shot to make the big club due to the numbers game that includes veterans Chris Drury added over the summer, the 20-year-old forward is eager to get going. He understands that his best chance could come by playing the right wing instead of his natural left wing position.

Having gained ten pounds of muscle, Othmann came in at 187 pounds. A skilled player who likes to play in front of the net, he discussed why he’s pleased with his current weight and what it means for his game.

“I think that’s a good weight for me just for strength wise and the way I play. I don’t want to be too heavy because then I slow down. I’m a fast player who likes to throw my weight around.”

Expected to get a look on the right wing during camp, Othmann is open to the challenge. A mature player who understands the logjam at the left wing, he seems amenable to showing what he can do on his off wing.

“I can play both. I can play the right side, too. I played a little bit last year at Peterborough. Left and right. I know it says I’m a left winger, but I think that I can play the right wing as well.

It’s kind of the same thing. Picking up the puck on the wall is harder. But you’re really only playing your position on draws.”

That last point is a good one. For all the discussion over whether Lafreniere can slide over to the right side in his fourth season under new coach Peter Laviolette. During extended shifts, players are all over the ice playing different sides. That all leads into Laviolette’s emphasis on having an effective forecheck. If they establish that identity, the Rangers will be harder to play against.

Brett Berard is another young prospect entering his first professional season. A former 2020 fifth round pick, the recently turned 21-year-old spent three years at Providence College. Part of the gold medal winning American team that beat Canada at the 2021 U20 World Junior Championships, Berard is a hard-working player who likes to use his speed on the forecheck. Another player that’s not the biggest in stature, he’ll look to outwork opponents.

“It’s still the same game I’ve played my whole life. So, I’m going with the same mindset. … Just keep that mindset going into it and not try to do too much. Play my game. And everything will fall into place.”

Dylan Garand enters his second pro season. After an up and down regular season in 2022-23, he had a strong showing during the Calder Cup Playoffs with the Wolf Pack.

“It definitely prepared us going into next week… It was just nice to get back into a more competitive environment and more like in season practices like that. Get in a rhythm and kinda get those mental reminders that you face in season. It was good,” Garand said about rookie camp.

And finally. There’s this from Filip Chytil, who showed some good humor after being asked an interesting question.

I don’t know about you. But I could go for a cookie.