Battle Of Hudson covers the Rangers and Devils, who's intense rivalry heated up in the 90's. With fresh faces added, they battle for supremacy in NYC and NJ..
When Ryan Reaves got tangled up with P.K. Subban during the first period, the meaningless exhibition between Hudson rivals became something more. With the Rangers ahead on an early Mika Zibanejad goal, Subban collided with Reaves during a scrum in the corner of the Devils end. It was Reaves who got the worst of it by falling awkwardly on his left leg. In obvious pain, he couldn’t put any weight on the leg as he was helped off the ice.
It looked ugly for the veteran enforcer, who went down in discomfort. For Subban, who came across Reaves’ right foot with his left skate tripping up the defenseless Ranger from behind, the question is was it intentional. Replays showed that the play could be classified a slew foot. A no no in hockey. Especially in a tune-up. Accusations flew Subban’s way from aggravated Rangers including Chris Kreider leading the charge. The veteran forward had words with Subban during a stoppage. He wasn’t done. Not by a longshot.
I’ve seen enough replays. I don’t feel there was any intent. However, it was bad with Subban’s left foot coming across the back of Reaves’ right foot. Looks can be deceiving. Subban isn’t that kind of player. He called immediately for the whistle after it happened. He also denied that he would deliberately injure a player.
After several Blueshirts made sure to finish their checks on Subban with even Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome double teaming him, then came the opening face-off to start the second period. Coach Gerard Gallant had his projected top line out for the draw. Once the puck was dropped, an irate Kreider made a beeline for Subban, who ducked his challenge for a fight. As usual, the refs gave Kreider a misconduct to go with roughing. Coincidentally, Subban wound up with an unsportsmanlike conduct even though he kept his gloves on. Kreider continued to yell at Subban as they went to the penalty box.
One thing Gallant made clear is he plans to name a captain before the start of the season next week in Washington. Judging from Kreider’s strong reaction which finally included a scrap with Subban in the third period, it looks like he wants that honor of being captain. The lone holdover from the ’13-14 team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals, Kreider has sometimes been criticized for not always standing up for teammates. However, that’s never been his main job. He’s an important player who can finish around the net and screen goalies. Even though he’s never been a consistent player, Kreider is usually good for between 25 and 30 goals. His combination of strength and speed make him a valuable commodity. That’s why the Rangers decided to keep him.
As for the hockey portion, the Blueshirts won that 6-2 against a mix of Devils, who are still figuring out their roster with more exhibitions left. The score wasn’t a surprise. However, the rag tag bunch that included former forward/defenseman Mason Geertsen, outplayed the Rangers in the first period. They had the better of the shots and dominated a good chunk at even strength following the Subban controversy. But Igor Shesterkin was sharp keeping the Devils at bay. He went the entire way making 34 of 36 saves. It was a good tune-up for the Rangers starter.
After Fox setup Zibanejad for the only goal in the first, Kaapo Kakko gave the fans a reason for excitement. He took away a loose puck and broke away from Subban and made a power move to beat Devils goalie Jonathan Bernier for a beautiful unassisted goal. The new and improved Kakko has looked good in the preseason. Leaner and faster, he looks like he could be poised for a breakout year. He’s playing with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome on the new second line.
After another Fox hookup with Zibanejad for a five-on-three power play goal made it 3-0, the Devils got one back courtesy of Andreas Johnsson from Jesper Bratt and Pavel Zacha. But before they could grab any momentum, Sammy Blais absolutely undressed the Devils defense by stealing a puck and scoring on a gorgeous move to make it 4-1. Barclay Goodrow followed up with his first of the preseason just 20 seconds later.
The third was all about Kreider avenging Reaves. This time, Subban took the challenge and the two squared off eight seconds in. The fun wasn’t done with Subban and Goodrow earning the rest of the night off with less than 10 minutes left. That’s who the Rangers now are. They will not duck anyone in the upcoming season. Even if that means no Reaves for the foreseeable future, they’ll be ready to go back at opponents. When even Panarin gets physically involved with Fox also putting a good clean hit on Subban, that tells you the mindset.
Rangers appear to be expressing their displeasure toward Subban for his role in the Reaves injury. It didn't look like anything malicious to me, but clearly Reaves has made a mark for his willingness to stand up for his teammates. I'm sure they want to have his back. #NYR
After the game, Gallant told reporters when asked if the Reaves injury was serious, he didn’t believe so. Right now, it’s being termed “day-to-day.” If that’s indeed the case, that’s encouraging news because it looked very bad. Especially the way Reaves landed. One thing I doubt we’ll see is Reaves lining up against Tom Wilson next week.
Gallant also said he didn't think there was anything malicious or intentional from P.K. Subban on the play that led to Reaves' injury.
Here's Gallant after he was pressed on Reaves' injury looking really like a longer term thing: "No I don't think so. Not from what indications I've heard so far. But again, you'll know more tomorrow or the next day.''
What could happen instead is if Vitali Kravtsov is ready after taking the morning skate, he could play on the third line with Filip Chytil and Goodrow. The fourth line could be Kevin Rooney with Blais and Julien Gauthier. Gallant might decide to mix and match due to how good Blais has looked. As I predicted, fans are taking notice of what the former Blues two-way forward can do.
The third period goals were from Marian Studenic of the Devils and Panarin for the Rangers. That’s how it wound up 6-2. They played an NHL roster with Jarred Tinordi dressing for Patrik Nemeth. Zac Jones and Libor Hajek sat out. So did Dryden Hunt and Morgan Barron. Everyone who played could make the final roster. That’ll depend on what the organization thinks is best. No doubt you’ll see Jones and Hajek along with Barron and Hunt in the final tune-up in Bridgeport versus the Islanders on Saturday.
Regulars for the Devils included Bratt, Ryan Graves, Mike McLeod, Subban, Johnsson, Zacha and Bernier in net. Both Nolan Foote and Christian Jaros could make the roster. So could Kevin Bahl. Jonas Siegenthaler is also in competition for a spot on the defense. Vets Mark Jankowski and Frederik Gauthier also played. Jack Hughes missed the game due to an injury suffered in the last exhibition. He left that one after the first period. Also missing were Nico Hischier, Miles Wood, Tomas Tatar, Yegor Sharangovich, Dougie Hamilton, Ty Smith, Damon Severson and Janne Kuokkanen. First round picks Alex Holtz and Dawson Mercer didn’t play. Neither did Mackenzie Blackwood.
The Devils defeated the Capitals 4-1 in a preseason game Monday night. Once again, former 2020 first round picks Alex Holtz and Dawson Mercer had good showings. Holtz scored another goal while Mercer had a primary assist.
The Holtz goal came on the power play in the first period. Mercer assisted on it. With both teenage prospects performing well during training camp and exhibition, the big question is will coach Lindy Ruff decide to keep them on the final roster. There’s still time for him and GM Tom Fitzgerald to assess things.
Given what they’ve shown, how do the Devils Red Army feel about keeping both Holtz and Mercer on the roster to make their NHL debuts for Opening Night? Is it something you want to see, or would it be better for each to further develop before they play a game?
The answer largely depends on how many available spots there are. If Devils brass thinks they’re ready, perhaps they can see what both Holtz and Mercer have in a few games. In a full 82-game schedule, NHL teams have up to nine games to decide if they should burn a year off their rookie entry level contracts. Most rebuilding clubs proceed with caution. But if one of the promising young guns proves ready, it’s possible they could stay with the big club.
New Jersey made the big signing of top defenseman Dougie Hamilton to improve the roster. A great skating and puck possession player who can run the power play, Hamilton should make everyone else better including Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Fitzgerald also made the wise acquisition of Ryan Graves to further bolster a back end that includes Ty Smith, P.K. Subban and Damon Severson. A big physical presence who can deliver checks while being capable of contributing goals. Forward Tomas Tatar is a savvy veteran who is a proven scorer. He should be in the top six while also a fixture on the power play.
The Devils will look for more improvement from last season’s leading scorer Pavel Zacha, who’s continued to shoot the puck with success in the preseason. He scored another goal last night. If he and Jesper Bratt can continue to become more consistent along with Miles Wood, then perhaps the Devils won’t be as easy to play against. Especially if Hughes takes a big step up in Year Three. Hischier will need to stay healthy and lead by example.
Yegor Sharangovich proved he belonged in his first year. Janne Kuokkanen and Andreas Johnsson will have supporting roles along with Bratt, Mike McLeod and either Nolan Foote or one of Graeme Clarke, Tyce Thompson or Jesper Boqvist. What about Jimmy Vesey, who’s on a pro tryout? He hasn’t quite fulfilled expectations, but has experience. Is there a place for him in Newark?
Do Holtz and Mercer fit the roster? The talent is there. It’ll be up to the organization to decide if they will make their NHL debuts later next week.
On Saturday night, the Rangers played their fourth exhibition game of six in Boston. Despite at times being dominated by the Perfection Line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, they were able to hang around and defeat the Bruins in overtime 4-3.
Alexis Lafreniere won it when he anticipated a Linus Ullmark pass, stole the puck and in one motion sent a backhand into the empty net to end the game portion. It was a heady play by the second-year left wing, who could be poised for a good season. He is expected to start ’21-22 on the first line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. The best part about the winning play is it came at the end of a long shift where he and Kaapo Kakko got stuck in their end during three-on-three. He still had enough energy to takeaway the puck and capitalize on Ullmark’s mistake.
After the game ended, the two Original Six rivals took part in a practice shootout. Something the Rangers haven’t been doing at MSG. I’m glad. However, most teams are doing it for fun. In the skill competition, Kevin Rooney and Sammy Blais each scored to take the shootout backed by Tyler Wall, who came in for Alex Georgiev and played well. It’s the second time he’s looked good. Especially against the Boston big shooters.
Playing with another mixed squad that included Lafreniere, Kakko, goal scorer Ryan Strome, Rooney, Ryan Reaves, Blais, Julien Gauthier, Morgan Barron, Ryan Lindgren, Patrik Nemeth, Nils Lundkvist and Braden Schneider, they did alright. Boston took an early lead, but Strome responded by putting home a loose puck past Ullmark. Lundkvist assisted on it. He had a good offensive game with two helpers. It definitely inched him closer to making the roster.
A former first round pick, Lundkvist is a smooth skating offensive defenseman with a good shot. He used it well on the second power play unit. The shot wound up deflecting off the gritty Blais, who had a strong game finishing checks and taking away pucks in the neutral zone. He’s a hard-nosed player. Ditto for free agent addition Reaves, who helped turn the tide with an active shift where he banged bodies. One thing about Reaves. You notice him. That energy can rub off on teammates. It’s why adding high character guys like him, Blais and Barclay Goodrow should provide a healthy balance to the roster.
One interesting pairing from Saturday was Lindgren with Schneider. Normally, Lindgren plays with Adam Fox, who didn’t dress yesterday. However, Gerard Gallant tried out the 20-year old Schneider alongside Lindgren. They were solid together. Especially the former 2020 first round pick. Schneider is rarely caught out of position and is very active defensively. Compared to the other young defensemen the organization have, he looks to be the strongest. He isn’t afraid to deliver hits and plays smart positionally. He obviously isn’t ready yet. But a full season in Hartford should do him well.
One player who struggled in the game was Matthew Robertson. Another D prospect who’s part of a very deep farm system, the 20-year old former ’19 second round pick received 17:21 of ice time including one 40-second power play shift and a 28-second shift while shorthanded. Behind Lundkvist, Zac Jones and Schneider on the depth chart, the Edmonton native had to wait to get into preseason due to an injury. Perhaps it explains why he was caught by surprise from the always dangerous Marchand while shorthanded.
In what can best be described as a Welcome To NHL Hockey moment, the Rat as he’s known, blew by Robertson, who fell down and could only watch Marchand roof a backhand top shelf on Georgiev for a shorthanded goal. This isn’t the Western Hockey League (WHL). Obviously, Robertson will join Schneider in the AHL. Will Jones be joining them? That remains to be seen with two exhibitions left.
Libor Hajek, who’s competing for a roster spot, picked up an assist in 20:18. He is the holdover from the Ryan McDonagh/J.T. Miller trade. A deal that also includes Lundkvist, who they are banking on to turn around a lopsided one in favor of the two-time rating Stanley Cup champion Lightning Bolts. While Lundkvist is the new shiny toy the Blueshirts want to show off on the second power play and at even strength in the offensive zone, Hajek has been totally forgotten. He actually found himself last season on the third pair as a trusted regular under former coach David Quinn.
A good enough skater who isn’t poor defensively despite the analytics crowd who should look at who he played with, I feel bad for him. He took a one-year, two-way contract where they could send him down. He would have to clear waivers. You’re telling me a weaker team like Buffalo couldn’t use Hajek? Let’s be real here. They screwed him over like they did Dylan McIlrath. It happens. Hopefully, the 23-year old Czech catches on elsewhere.
With the club cutting the roster down to 27, Hajek is among nine defensemen left with Lundkvist, Jones and Jarred Tinordi. If you went off preseason, Jones and Lundkvist have been more impressive than incumbent K’Andre Miller. But he’s locked in on the second pair with Jacob Trouba. Tinordi was overkill due to Tom Wilson. He is not better than any of the younger players. My guess is you’re looking at a starting defense of Lindgren-Fox, Miller-Trouba and Nemeth-Lundkvist. They’ll probably decide to keep Tinordi over Hajek and Jones with the latter having the option to further develop at Hartford.
As expected, both Schneider and Robertson were assigned to the Wolf Pack along with Lauri Pajuniemi, Tyler Wall and Adam Huska. The sixth player was feisty 19-year old right wing Will Cuylle, who impressed with his edgy play. He finished a good check at the conclusion of the second period that irked some Bruins. Reaves was on the ice to prevent anything further. The hit came before the buzzer. Cuylle also looked good two weeks ago in the Flyers Rookie games scoring a pair on the power play in front. Keep an eye on him. Ditto for ’21 first round pick Brennan Othmann, who took a lot away from his first NHL camp.
The remaining forwards still being considered are Barron, Gauthier, Dryden Hunt and veteran Greg McKegg. Updating reporters on Vitali Kravtsov, Gallant termed him “day-to-day.” Hopefully, they get good news. The remaining two exhibitions are Wednesday against the Devils and Saturday versus the Islanders. If Kravtsov is ready for Opening Night at MSG against the Capitals, I can see Gallant opting for a bigger lineup due to Wilson and Garnet Hathaway. Maybe we see Gauthier dress on the third line with Filip Chytil and Goodrow while Rooney plays on the checking line with Blais and Reaves. I believe Gauthier deserves to be on the roster. It’s just a question of who they choose as a 14th forward. Hunt or Barron, who can win draws and kill penalties. McKegg likely will be cut and either clear or go elsewhere.
With Keith Kinkaid clearing waivers, Gallant has decided to go with Igor Shesterkin and Georgiev. Kinkaid isn’t a bad guy to keep around as a third netminder. But what does that mean for Huska and Wall in the ‘A?’ We’ll see.
There really isn’t much else to add regarding the Rangers. The preseason is too long. You hope your team escapes serious injuries. Personally, I would cut down from six to four games tops. There’s no point in having so many players in camp if you already know where most are ticketed. Gallant has intentionally held Artemi Panarin out of the lineup since the first Boston game where he was sharp putting up three points. He could play in the final two tuneups.
I want to comment on a very hot 🔥 topic. It has everything to do with the serious accusations Robin Lehner made which Daniel Carcillo fully supported. It’s in reference to how teams push prescription drugs like Ambien and benzodiazepines. Nicknamed benzos, they are psychoactive drugs that can be very addicting. Exactly the kind of dangerous drugs that have cost former NHL players their lives. Steve Montador remains one of the tragic tales. The former defenseman who spent time with the Blackhawks, was basically blackballed according to former friend and teammate Carcillo. He tweeted some very interesting stuff about how poorly the Blackhawks treated Montador.
7) This is where you see the true colors of management running the @NHLBlackhawks organization
Within hours of signing his fit to play, the Hawks sent Steve down to the AHL club
He wasn’t a black ace or allowed with or around our team during the 2013 @StanleyCup run…
9) Steve was the type of person and teammate that sacrificed himself for the good of the team and who went out of his way to make you feel special and wanted
It’s sad. We remember Derek Boogaard for the same reason. It’s been a decade since he died of an accidental drug overdose. It still hurts. The NHL wants to speak with Lehner on what he said. He’s one of the few players with the balls to speak up about a very serious league issue. They probably want to silence him. Everyone knows how much damage control the NHL has done regarding this topic. We could name more casualties who couldn’t survive off the ice without those highly addictive drugs. Rick Rypien. Wade Belak. All suffered from depression. They relied on painkillers that were prescribed by team doctors.
Is it common for work places to give out benzodiazepines to employees when they travel and ambien ? Should that not be done by doctors or psychiatrist? Asking for a friend 👀 this doesn’t happen in Vegas to be clear. But I know many other teams. I also been in on teams that do?
And they say ambien is sleeping pill it’s funny that rehab told me that’s why didn’t have rem sleep. 8 years no rem sleep. Great. But yeah just sleeping pills
I’ve made crazy amount of mistakes. But lying about what I’ve seen for 12 years not one of them. I don’t care what they say I don’t lie about these things. 💯 true. I’ll keep going. Have stored stories for a year. Watch now when nhl will try cancel me. God luck whatever lie you
This stuff has gone on for a long time. It needs to be addressed by both the NHL and NHLPA. They can’t keep pretending it doesn’t exist. Having concussion protocol in place helps make sure players who sustain head injuries are medically cleared to return. But when you have a former tough guy like Carcillo citing that Montador had up to 19 concussions, that is mind numbing. There needs to be accountability. I’m curious to see if anything happens. Good for Lehner, who overcame his off ice issues to become a good NHL goalie.
Let’s hope they don’t ignore the problem anymore. COVID isn’t the only issue. Maybe it’s time for the biased media to pay closer attention to what Carcillo and Lehner have said instead of treating the few unvaccinated players as if they’re criminals. The real criminals are employed by the NHL. They have gotten a free ride long enough.
As a fan you only want two things out of the preseason – good health, and younger players giving you a reason to get excited. Through the first two games of the exhibition season the Devils have accomplished both, scoring twelve goals in their first two games – many of them by younger players. Especially in Wednesday’s preseason opener against the Caps where every goalscorer was 23 and younger after Yegor Sharangovich, Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Dawson Mercer and Alex Holtz all scored in a 5-4 win against the Caps. While the first three guys are already established top six options that the Devils are looking for even more production from this year, the latter two were both 2020 first round picks looking to either join Sharangovich, Hischier and Hughes on the team, or at least pull themselves up the organizational depth chart.
Both Mercer and Holtz are still just nineteen years old, and both have different – but equally necessary – skill sets this team needs. Could Mercer wind up filling the Devils’ hole at third-line center even sooner than expected? He at least seems like he’s got a nose for the net with goals in his first two games so far, and a handful of other great chances that he couldn’t cash in on. Although there’s always the concern about rushing guys, mistakes the Devils acknowledge they’ve made in recent years with guys like Pavel Zacha, Blake Speers and Stefan Matteau – sometimes guys just prove they’re ready, and Mercer’s scouting report says he plays a 200-foot game, which translates to maybe earning a spot in the NHL sooner rather than later. It would be fitting if Mercer plays in the NHL in his age 20 (he turns 20 in late October) season a la another first-round pick with high IQ that played center for the Devils who retired this offseason. Mercer has been compared to Travis Zajac in some Devils fan circles – even that kind of career would be a win for a first-round pick, never mind if Mercer actually wound up being more consistent offensively.
Holtz of course has an NHL ready shot which of course this team needs badly, but is the rest of his game there yet? He’s certainly making a case for a longer look from the staff with points in his first two games. Like Mercer, he’s still 19 and doesn’t even turn 20 until January. I’m sure the Devils will probably be a little more cautious with him given his lack of production last year in the Swedish league and the AHL in his first post-draft season while Mercer was quite productive in the Q during his first post-draft year. Sometimes guys do take big jumps in one offseason though, ask Sharangovich who went from a pre-pandemic afterthought to integral top six forward in one shortened season.
It’s harder for me to get into the ‘veteran guy on a PTO trying to earn a spot’ camp story considering the youth movement and where this franchise is at the moment, but clearly a guy like Jimmy Vesey needs to play well just to earn a job and stay in the NHL. After scoring a brace in a scrimmage, he added another goal in last night’s 7-1 rout of the Rangers against one of his former teams. In fact he had three seasons with the Rangers where he scored 50 goals but still his career never quite panned out as much as some thought it might when he joined New York as an UDFA out of Harvard, and he’s bounced around the league as bottom six depth since. Even young teams can use guys like Vesey though, especially since you have a healthy scratch or two every night and don’t want younger forwards serving that role. Plus if he does draw into the lineup more than expected, he could help on the PK which was an unmitigated disaster last year.
Those are guys who the preseason matters to, not so much Dougie Hamilton although you wouldn’t be able to tell by his icetime last night. Guess you can’t really be in shape to play 25 minutes a night unless you practice that way though. Even more important than how much he plays, or the goal he scored last night is the fact that early in his Devil tenure he’s assuming a mentorship role with at least one of the most important future Devils in Mercer.
#NJDevils Dougie Hamilton on being impressed with Dawson Mercer:
“He really cares. I love guys that really care about hockey and want to get better, I gravitate toward them. He’ll be my teammate for a long time to come.”
Hamilton himself seems like a guy who’s just totally at ease with himself and who he is. I didn’t see his first intermission interview but I heard he was doing it shirtless – perhaps the first instance of Dougie being Dougie as a Devil.
I didn’t watch much of the Caps game, I did watch a good chunk last night – because I went for my first trip to the Rock in nineteen months. Although preseason games bore me at this point (and even last night I only stayed for just over half of it), that was a case where I had to go just for the sake of going. My prediction of it being a bigger crowd was wrong a few days ago though – there was plenty of social distancing last night for me since nobody else was in my row, the row in front of me, the seats directly behind me or the row across from me and I’m not exactly sitting in the upper corners. It was an announced attendance of just over 10,000 which was fine by me.
Part of the reason I wanted to go is just to get used to the trip again and see what’s changed in the building. I missed my normal exit to go toward Newark but that was just laziness, I was able to get there in a roundabout way and got home just fine, my regular parking lot was not only still open but the same guy who collects the money and gives out the tickets was still there too – at least one slice of normalcy I suppose. I can’t say the same for the PA guy, who is changing for the first time since the move to the Rock due to some off-ice issues with long-time PA guy Kevin Clark. Apparently tonight was an audition for one of the three finalists, with the other preseason games being done by the other two. Whatever, that’s gonna take some getting used to just like going from Bob Arsena to Clark at the Meadowlands did.
I’ve already gone through my displeasure over the lack of a vaccine mandate but certainly it wasn’t an issue last night with the sparse crowd. Neither was getting in, one of the Devils’ e-mails warned it could take up to 45 minutes to get in. Maybe that’ll be true for the home opener in two weeks but last night it was more like 45 seconds. What’s more annoying for me in theory than in actuality (since I rarely will get concessions at the arena) is the new cashless policy. I mean really guys, you should want people to have more ways to pay, not fewer. I guess it saves them time and money not dealing with cash and they can pass it off as some health service eyewash. It’ll probably be a nightmare the first few games for people that do want to get stuff at the arena since not everyone will know about the new no-cash policy. Hopefully they don’t have a machine issue at any point…
It was certainly nice to be back in any case, my only hope last night was to hear the goal horn at least once, which the Devils took care of with three quick tallies in the first and another in the second. Certainly it was worth watching and always good to win – though at 4-1 part of my motivation for leaving late in the second was just that nothing else was going to happen that was particularly meaningful on the positive end in a preseason game, plus I thought the new-look Rangers (who now have a public mandate to get tough) might start to turn the game into Slapshot and drag it on. I got home in time to see the last two goals on TV anyway. My first full game can be in two weeks when it counts.
In what can best be described as an eyesore of a game from a Rangers perspective, the play on the ice isn’t too much of a concern. The Devils easily handled an AHL roster with a few exceptions to win handily 7-1 in Newark.
While the young stars shined brightly on future Devils Dawson Mercer and Tyce Thompson, it was a forgettable night for Vitali Kravtsov. The rookie forward who’s expected to make the roster and play on the third line, left the game in the first period. Only playing 5:44, he didn’t return due to a lower-body injury. The dreaded term we’ve come to accept in hockey due to teams being less than forthcoming on the actual injuries.
What that means for Kravtsov who knows. If it’s serious, then he won’t be penciled into the lineup for Opening Night. With three tuneups left before they have to submit a final roster, hopefully the injury to Kravtsov isn’t bad. That would be a tough break for the former ’18 first round draft pick. In 20 games last season, he posted two goals and two assists. There is an opportunity for the 21-year old Russian. With the kind of skating and instincts he possesses, the right wing has a bright future. If he isn’t able to go by season’s start, the organization should make sure he’s back to 100 percent.
In a disjointed performance that saw the Devils do whatever they wanted including burning the tandem of K’Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba for four goals at even strength, Julien Gauthier was a bright spot. Playing with Filip Chytil and Barclay Goodrow, Gauthier had some moments. On a two-on-one rush, he showed a burst of speed and all but setup Chytil for a goal. But he missed. The 23-year old former Carolina first round pick was kept over Colin Blackwell, who the Seattle Kraken selected from the Rangers in the Expansion Draft. If he’s to have a role under new coach Gerard Gallant, now is the time.
There aren’t many lineup openings. With Dryden Hunt looking good so far, that could signal even fewer spots to make the roster. Morgan Barron and Gauthier are competing to make it. At this point, I’d say Gauthier has more upside than Barron. Especially if Kravtsov can’t start the season. Gauthier also can play right wing unlike Barron, who’s a depth center that can win draws and kill penalties. The problem is he’s behind Kevin Rooney, who filled that void on the fourth line and penalty kill in ’21.
In terms of key defensemen, neither Nils Lundkvist or Zac Jones did anything to hurt their chances. However, Lundkvist assisted on a Mika Zibanejad power play goal. Taking a Goodrow feed, he passed across for a Zibanejad one-timer that beat Devils goalie Jonathan Bernier for the Rangers’ only goal in the first period. Lundkvist played with Jarred Tinordi while Jones again teamed with Braden Schneider. Neither pair were as bad as the established one between Miller and Trouba, who had a rough night. He also took a penalty that the Devils converted a power play goal on with Pavel Zacha sniping one home on a pass from big addition Dougie Hamilton (2 assists).
In truth, there wasn’t much to go on. Zibanejad played with Chris Kreider on the right side. A new experiment Gallant wants to give a try due to Alexis Lafreniere being more comfortable on the left side. Kravtsov was supposed to play the right wing on that top line, but his mystery injury finished that. So, they played the rest of the game with 11 forwards. Igor Shesterkin got the first half allowing four goals on 20 shots. Adam Huska came in and gave up three more on 14 shots.
Among regulars included Sammy Blais, Chytil, Goodrow, Kreider, Miller, Trouba and Zibanejad. As already mentioned, Gauthier and Barron are in direct competition while Lundkvist and Jones are. Tinordi had a better game than his first one. Hunt is also in the mix for a spot. We’ll have to wait and see about Kravtsov.
The Devils had Bernier go the whole way. He did well making 24 saves on 25 shots. Aside from Hamilton having a good debut, Tomas Tatar had a goal and helper. Both Zacha and veteran P.K. Subban recorded a goal and assist. Alexander Holtz assisted on a Janne Kuokkanen power play goal. He’s been good so far. Holtz used his quick wrist shot to score in their first preseason game. Both he and Mercer (goal) have looked good. If either makes the club, that’ll give the Jersey side of the Hudson Rivalry a boost.
If you put too much stock in a meaningless exhibition, I feel sorry for you. There are still many players who won’t be playing when it all starts up in two weeks. Take it with a grain of salt. Teams want to avoid injuries. Hopefully, the Rangers get good news on Kravtsov.
All six players cleared waivers to be reassigned to Hartford training camp. That includes Keith Kinkaid, who could be in a numbers game due to Huska and Tyler Wall. Kinkaid is good insurance for Shesterkin and Alex Georgiev. It’s never a bad thing to have goalie depth. Especially over a full schedule. You never know what could happen.
Recent first round pick Brennan Othmann was appreciative of being able to experience his first camp. He took away a lot of positives from team practices and the one game he got into. It definitely will serve as motivation for the 18-year old forward to excel at the OHL level after being assigned to his junior team. He made a nice first impression. So much so that he thinks if he can become one of the best players in the Ontario Hockey League, maybe he can come in next year and make the roster. He acknowledged that he will need to get stronger. A wise observation from a teenager.
Only Will Cuylle is left over who can be assigned to his junior club. They might take another look at him this weekend before sending him back. That’ll do it for this post. I’ll have more either Saturday or Sunday.
After going four periods without a goal in the preseason, the Rangers scored three in a better second to edge the Providence Bruins 3-2 at MSG. Boston hardly played anyone except their fourth line, Mike Reilly and expected new starter Linus Ullmark for the first half. That is part of why it’s exhibition.
In their second tune-up of six, the Rangers got their first glimpse of Artemi Panarin and Kaapo Kakko together with Ryan Strome. It went smoothly. Kakko scored a goal and picked up an assist while Panarin did what he can do by ripping up the young B’s for a goal (breakaway) and a pair of assists. It was nice to see Kakko look stronger. He worked hard in the weight room during the off-season. Gerard Gallant even tried him on the penalty kill. Something we could see more of.
While the main takeaway was the cohesiveness for the new second line (1 line B), Gallant was pleased with what he saw from potential future pair Zac Jones and Braden Schneider. They were good together. Each are only 20. You wouldn’t know it by how they played. Jones was a shining star with his smooth skating and transition. He tallied an assist on Kakko’s rebound goal in the second.
Schneider was strong defensively in his end. The former first round pick used his size and strength to finish with seven hits. It was impressive. The best aspect is the organization doesn’t have to rush the development of Schneider or even Jones, who would crack the top six if they didn’t sign Patrik Nemeth. If he isn’t on the Opening Night roster, it’ll be due to a numbers game with Nils Lundkvist the favorite to play third pair. Both Jones and Lundkvist have similar styles due to their skating, offensive instincts and ability to play power play. It’ll be interesting to see what happens.
Other young prospects that made an impression were Lauri Pajuniemi and recent first round pick Brennan Othmann. Both were good in the two Rookie Prospect games with the Flyers. Othmann due to his aggressive mindset on the forecheck and the older 22-year old Pajuniemi due to his lethal wrist shot. He demonstrated why he might be a steal by clanging iron and getting denied by Boston backup Kyle Keyser on the power play. He finished with three shots in less than 10 minutes. Othmann got a taste of playing at The Garden. I would expect him to be assigned to his Junior team.
Gallant also used Sammy Blais on the penalty kill. Acquired from the Blues for the more gifted Pavel Buchnevich and a second round pick, Blais threw his weight around with eight hits while working effectively with Kevin Rooney. Rooney is likely to center Blais and Ryan Reaves, who made his Broadway debut. He had some interesting things to say during the second period intermission, pointing out that they want to outwork teams. That’s a mantra Gallant wants to see. Of course, it helps that Reaves knows him from their days in Vegas. Look for Reaves to be a key locker room presence.
One other player who pleasantly surprised was backup Tyler Wall. After relieving starter Igor Shesterkin (11 saves on 12 shots), Wall performed well by turning aside 15 of 16 Boston shots. He definitely didn’t hurt himself. Wall was very good in college, but struggled with Hartford. Adjusting to pro level can take some time. At least last night, Wall looked unflappable. He will be with the Wolf Pack.
The first goal was from unlikely source Anthony Bitetto. On a Panarin rush, he missed connection with Kakko on a potential scoring chance. While I was venting at him for waiting too long, Kakko kept the play alive and got the puck back to Panarin. Like a magician, he found a cutting Bitetto for an easy goal past Ullmark. A few minutes later, Kakko was able to bury a rebound from Panarin and Jones for a 2-0 lead.
The Bruins responded with two goals to tie the score. After Jake Studnicka tallied, he won an offensive draw back to Urho Vaakanainen (don’t try pronouncing it) for a quick snapshot past Wall. Face-offs matter. Unless you are a chart person, who stares into the abyss. Hopefully, we won’t see a recurring theme of lost defensive draws leading to goals against. This is a New Era. Gallant has emphasized improving on face-offs as has GM Chris Drury. Let’s hope they move up from dead last with a more respectable win percentage.
The game-winner came with a minute to go in the second period. Who else but Panarin snuck behind the Bruins to take a K’Andre Miller pass and break in and beat Keyser with a wrist shot just past his glove short side. It happened that fast. That’s what makes Panarin so dangerous. He found a dead spot and then scored the breakaway goal that decided this one. Miller looked stronger. He paired with Jacob Trouba, who didn’t have a good night. Let’s leave it at that.
Most touching was the video tribute MSG Network did for Rangers legend and Hall Of Famer Rod Gilbert. The Rangers Ambassador who recently passed away at 80 loved being a New York Ranger. He was always front and center at games interacting with fans while having a smile on his face. Number 7 will be worn on their helmets during the season in remembrance of the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. Sam Rosen definitely sounded emotional when discussing him with Joe Micheletti. Sitting at home, I was on the verge of tears. It’s gonna be a hard season. So many fans met Gilbert including our Dad, who definitely will miss him. It won’t be easy. I hope they can do him proud by returning to the playoffs.
This went a bit longer than I thought. That’s because I wanted to include the details. Particularly Gilbert, who’ll be remembered on Opening Night against the Capitals. He will be honored by the team all season. A moment of silence for a class act. 💜🏒
In some relevant news that Hasan hinted at without mentioning the name of the Devils’ player, Mackenzie Blackwood has confirmed that he’s not yet vaccinated.
Mackenzie Blackwood on the vaccine: “I have a couple health concerns, health reasons why I’m working through it a little slower. I have a couple boxes I want to check off and not just rush to do it.”
When asked by Devils reporters why he hasn’t been vaxxed, Blackwood said, “I have a couple of health concerns, health reasons why I’m working through it a little slower. I have a couple of boxes I want to check off and not rush to do it.”
In February when the Devils had an outbreak of positives for COVID-19, Blackwood was among the list of players who missed time. Following a win at the Rangers on Jan. 19, he didn’t start again until nearly a month later at the Rangers on Feb. 16. Also a win.
The 24-year old is expected to be the starting goalie for the Devils like the shortened ’21 season. In his third year, Blackwood appeared in 35 games (all starts) going 14-17-4 with a 3.04 goals against average (GAA) and .902 save percentage. Thus far over his three-year NHL career, the former Devils ’15 second round pick has won 46 games while posting a 2.83 GAA, .911 save percentage and six shutouts.
Signed for two more years for an average cap hit of $2.8 million through 2023, Blackwood still has time to get vaccinated. However, as Hasan noted, the state of New Jersey hasn’t mandated the vaccine. How that relates to the Devils I don’t know. I would imagine they want all of their players fully vaxxed.
We’ve already seen a few players and coaches who didn’t get the shot, unable to participate in training camp for other teams and the upcoming ’21-22 NHL season. So, it’s an issue. We’ll see what the Devils decide to do. At least Blackwood wasn’t banished like Islanders prospect Bode Wilde was by Lou Lamoriello, who assigned him to a second tier Swedish League.
The New York Islanders announced on Tuesday that they are loaning defenceman Bode Wilde to Vasterviks IK of the second-tier Swedish hockey league.https://t.co/jQ2UVQd5OT
In regards to what Blackwood said, I don’t have a problem with his reasons for being hesitant to get the vaccine. If a person cites health considerations, that’s a valid concern. We don’t know if he has a preexisting medical condition that has been discussed with his doctor or the team doctor. However, I’d imagine those answers are coming.
Should Blackwood get it? Probably. He’s going to be around a lot of people. If you play a sport, you’re at a higher risk of testing positive. Something we saw during last season. We know that even if players and coaches are fully vaxxed, they can still get Covid. However, the cases aren’t as bad. I can’t think of one in a professional sport that wasn’t asymptomatic.
There’s a reason each league have Health and Safety Protocols. To make sure each player quarantines, doesn’t come into contact with anyone and tests negative before being medically cleared. That is smart. Especially with how things now are.
Hopefully, things will go smoother in ’21-22. Don’t forget it’s a full 82-game schedule. I hope there won’t be any postponements that have to be rescheduled. Especially in a potential Olympic year. What they decide won’t be known until next year. There are so many factors that must be considered around the world.
Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald was smart by signing veteran Jonathan Bernier in the off-season to upgrade the backup goalie. He’s being paid $4.125 million AAV over two seasons. So, at least they have a capable netminder to fill in when Blackwood can’t play.
The Devils have been holding player scrimmages at training camp. They will play their first preseason game tomorrow night. They’ll take on the Capitals in Washington DC before returning to Newark to host the Rangers on Friday. In total, they have six exhibition games with the final one concluding against the Islanders at home on October 7. The season opener isn’t until Oct. 15 against the Blackhawks at The Prudential Center.
I’d imagine Hasan will have more on this story. Plus the team.
Some cool items I saved from past years including the Henrik Lundqvist bobble head, Mats Zuccarello and a miniature Stanley Cup commemorating the 1994 Rangers. Photos by Derek Felix
When it comes to autumn, it’s usually hockey time. Even though it begins a bit later due to last season’s July finish, here we are with training camps finally underway. Some opened Wednesday while others such as the Rangers officially opened this past Thursday in Greenburgh at the team’s practice facility.
The ’21 Rangers Yearbook that included top pick Alexis Lafreniere. Photo by Derek Felix
As we follow training camp and preseason with believe it or not, the Rangers’ first game against who else but the Islanders Sunday night (4-0 loss what else is new), this is a good time to look at some storylines. Before we take a glimpse into that, let’s first unveil the training camp roster. I’ve updated the roster with an asterisk indicating the players who have been cut. If they have a * next to their name, they’ve either been assigned to their Junior team or reassigned to Hartford.
The full breakdown went from 60 players to 47 within 72 hours. Undoubtedly, there will be more roster cuts coming. They can keep up to 23 players on the roster when it gets going on October 13 against the Capitals. The breakdown for now is 2826 forwards, 14 defensemen and 5 goalies. Make that 45 with both Matt Rempe and Karl Henrikkson assigned to their respective clubs. For Henrikkson, it’s back to Frolunda for one more year. As we know, it’ll likely become 13 forwards, 7 D and 2 goalies unless Gallant opts to keep 3 netminders. That’ll largely depend on what shakes out between Alex Georgiev and Keith Kinkaid during camp.
FORWARDS
10 Artemi Panarin
13 Alexis Lafreniere
14 Greg McKegg
15 Julien Gauthier
16 Ryan Strome
17 Kevin Rooney
20 Chris Kreider
21 Barclay Goodrow
24 Kaapo Kakko
26 Tim Gettinger
28 Anthony Greco
29 Dryden Hunt
*38 Evan Vierling
47 Morgan Barron
49 Lauri Pajuniemi
50 William Cuylle
*58 James Sanchez
59 Ty Ronning
*62 Alex Whelan
*63 Jake Elmer
*70 Karl Henrikkson
72 Filip Chytil
*73 Matt Rempe
74 Vitali Kravtsov
76 Jonny Brodzinski
78 Brennan Othmann
*82 Patrick Khodorenko
*83 Ryder Korczak
85 Austin Rueschhoff
86 Tanner Fritz
90 Justin Richards
91 Sammy Blais
*92 Michael O’Leary
93 Mika Zibanejad
*96 Jayden Grubbe
DEFENSEMEN
5 Jarred Tinordi
6 Zac Jones
8 Jacob Trouba
12 Patrik Nemeth
22 Anthony Bitetto
23 Adam Fox
25 Libor Hajek
44 Matthew Robertson
45 Braden Schneider
*48 Zach Berzolla
*53 Hunter Skinner
51 Tarmo Reunanen
54 Mason Geertsen
55 Ryan Lindgren
64 Nils Lundkvist
79 K’Andre Miller
*87 Zach Giuttari
GOALTENDERS
31 Igor Shesterkin
32 Adam Huska
40 Alex Georgiev
*56 Talyn Boyko
71 Keith Kinkaid
80 Tyler Wall
*98 Dylan Garand
One of the things I like so far is how candid new Rangers coach Gerard Gallant was with the New York media at his first true press conference. He didn’t say anything he didn’t mean. There was no hesitation. On the subject of naming a captain, Gallant was very forthcoming by indicating that they will have one. Under former coach David Quinn, the team didn’t have one after the trade of Ryan McDonagh to the Lightning. So, they’ve gone two seasons without a captain. Even if the recent ’21 season was abbreviated due to the schedule which was regional due to the pandemic.
That brings me to the top storyline. The time is now for this team. It’s no longer a rebuild. Patience will not be preached. There’s enough experience in that room for players to provide leadership. The question for Gallant to answer is who will the next Rangers captain be. The candidates are Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox. While a good portion of the fan base wants Fox to be named, the truth is he’s only been in the league two years. Neither were normal. But then again, is anything ever going to be again? Not with teams disallowing unvaccinated players and coaches to participate. You don’t see that in the NBA. So, they’re telling me that no one will test positive if every NHL personnel is vaccinated? We know better. It is what it is. Be prepared for more players on the virus list. Hopefully, it won’t be as bad as the past season. You had games postponed and rescheduled. I’m certain they’ll take no chances.
What about having a short-term captain until either Fox or Alexis Lafreniere grows into the role? The dilemma for the organization is it’s hard to tell a player they’re no longer captain. That’s assuming Kreider, Zibanejad or Trouba aren’t moved. Only one is playing for a contract. That would be Zibanejad, who has had discussions with the team on an extension. If I’m them, I wait. There’s no reason to give him one now. Let Zibanejad earn it. It can always happen next year around February or March if he wants to stay. It will largely depend on how the team is doing along with his performance. They want to make the playoffs. Zibanejad said it on Thursday during a press conference.
If the playoffs are the goal, that has to be the second storyline. Playing in a tough Metropolitan Division which includes the Islanders, Hurricanes, Capitals, Penguins and Flyers, the Rangers know they must earn it. Nothing will be given to them. That means their top players performing at a more consistent level against the division’s upper echelon teams. Something that was a problem for last season’s team. Even Artemi Panarin didn’t produce the way he can against the Islanders in those three critical games. It is about the team honoring their commitment to winning. That’s what it’s all about.
One point Gallant made was that ice time will be earned. That’s a refreshing approach to what we saw. There are going to be opportunities for players. Whether it be someone secondary like Julien Gauthier or Morgan Barron, who both are vying for roster spots, there will be chances for guys to get in the lineup and have an impact. The same can be echoed for rookie defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who must earn a job before anyone anoints him. In NYC, we have this arrogance of penciling young players into a lineup before they’ve done anything. If Lundkvist is ready, then he’ll slot in on the third pair and get power play time.
Don’t forget the Blueshirts signed veterans Patrik Nemeth and Jarred Tinordi. If the top four is set with Fox, Ryan Lindgren, Trouba and K’Andre Miller, that leaves two openings for the top six. Don’t forget Zac Jones, who does have NHL experience and looked good in his brief stint. He was the best player at Rookie Camp. Both Matthew Robertson and Braden Schneider will be given a chance to see what they can do during preseason. So too will the forgotten Libor Hajek and Tarmo Reunanen. In other words, Gallant has plenty of options to choose from. He got a first look at a few with Lundkvist not making any glaring mistakes like Tinordi or Bitetto in a sleep inducing 4-0 shutout to the Islanders. It was more of the same with the Isles’ fourth line dominating. Don’t read too much into it. Ryan Reaves, Kevin Rooney and Sammy Blais didn’t play.
With Gallant, who is nicknamed Turk, he is a different and more experienced coach than David Quinn. He’s had success in the league with both Florida and Vegas. The latter where he did an amazing job taking the expansion Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. They made the playoffs under him before Vegas pulled the rug out from underneath him. Peter DeBoer replaced Turk and has had similar success, but they were upset by the Canadiens last season. So, no return to the Cup Final since Gallant in Year One. He’s a guy who’s had success as a player doing it mostly as a Detroit Red Wing. He knows the game and has a dry wit which I think the New York media will like. Take his response to a question about how reigning Norris winner Fox. He definitely was impressed and gave a funny reaction and grinned to laughter. His honesty will be refreshing. Early indications is he’s not a yeller like Quinn during practice. That’ll probably help team chemistry.
#NYR Artemi Panarin: "We definitely even could’ve reached the playoffs last year. We have a good team. Well-organized. And now the team is even stronger with a winning coach. So I think going forward there's just a positive outlook on everything."
I don’t want to make a big deal out of Artemi Panarin’s comments to the media about how they now have a winning coach. I don’t look at it as a shot at Quinn. He’s not that kind of player. He was likely being honest and probably is excited about the challenge under Turk. Artemi is 30 and in his prime. He wants to return to the playoffs like Zibanejad and Kreider, who both must be dying to play meaningful hockey again. I’m not referring to a lopsided Play In Series either. There’s also no point in discussing further Panarin’s past issues off the ice last winter. He’s not interested in politics thankfully. I wish it was that way for everyone.
In terms of other storylines, I’m curious to see how much of an impact Barclay Goodrow can have on his new teammates. He’s a two-time Stanley Cup winner with necessary championship experience who brings the grit and intangibles this team lacked. I know Sunday night wasn’t the start he had in mind. But I thought the boarding major and game misconduct was overkill. It was worth a double minor. Refs are also still getting acclimated. Let’s leave it at that. Don’t forget Goodrow’s outlet to Kreider for a shorthanded breakaway Ilya Sorokin stopped him on. He also missed on a pass from Kravtsov in front. Gallant seems to like Goodrow with Chytil and Kravtsov. Keep an eye on that line.
Obviously, adding the tough and physical Reaves should help in the heavyweight department. One thing about him. He has character and understands what he’s been brought in for. No. It’s not just to go after Tom Wilson in the first game. It’s to make other tough players accountable. That means the Identity Line that scored three of the Isles’ four goals even minus Matt Martin. When Ross Johnston is scoring on you, that’s bad. But it’s preseason. Relax. Like Heath Ledger’s Joker said in a classic scene, “Let’s not blow things out of proportion.” Reaves was successful under Gallant and will provide that energy along with Blais and likely Kevin Rooney unless Barron can crack the lineup. He won six of eleven face-offs last night. An area that must improve.
What about the crowd at the World’s Most Vaccinated Arena? I mean it is what it is. With New York in a totalitarian state due to the controversial Vaccine Passports, there’ll be even less fans at these games than before. Not everyone wants to show papers to see games or concerts. I’m fully vaxxed, but think they’ve gone overboard. As someone who suffers from anxiety, the past 18 months haven’t helped me personally. I can’t ever see myself returning to MSG. I don’t view things the same. I dislike the city for personal reasons and don’t feel comfortable in big crowds. For those who go, I would advise you not to hang around too many people. I have avoided hangouts and such. I guess I’m just cautious. Hasan basically noted it in his Devils column. The Garden had already lost its atmosphere due to the renovation. What do you think it’ll sound like now?
I don’t want to harp on Covid after what I mentioned in the previous paragraph. We can’t ever feel right about this. I can enjoy games watching from home whether it be downstairs or from my phone streaming. I feel lucky to have been to so many Rangers games. The last 25 years have been amazing. Even the Dark Ages were special due to all the friends we made in our old Section 411. There’s too many memories to list. I’ll always remember Gretzky and Messier playing for the final time along with all the jersey retirements, and Game Six when they shutout Montreal 1-0 to wrap up the Conference Finals and win the Wales Trophy. I never thought that would happen along with experiencing a Stanley Cup game. The energy in ’14 was incredible. The way they rallied around Martin St. Louis. The Mother’s Day game. The 3-1 comebacks against the Pens and Caps in consecutive years during the second round. And right now, the Mika Zibanejad Five Goal Game remains as the last memory. The best regular season game we ever attended. I hope they can produce more memories for the fans who do go.
How much improvement will we see from Kaapo Kakko in Year Three? There’s no doubt the former ’19 second overall pick improved his overall game and skating last year. If he’s to take the next step, Kakko must score more goals. Consistency will be the key. He’s being given the keys to Pavel Buchnevich’s old spot. It seems that Kakko will start with Panarin and Ryan Strome on the other first line while Lafreniere gets to play with Zibanejad and Kreider. There is pressure for Kakko to perform both at even strength and on the power play. I feel like he needs to match his number 24 in goals and pop six or seven on the man-advantage.
Kravtsov has less games than Kakko. But I like what I saw from the talented Russian in a month’s time. While he only wound up with two goals and two assists, it looked like he belonged. The ability to skate into open space and make plays is apparent. He has a nice touch. This is a unique young player to watch. I think if he can prove himself, maybe Kravtsov could play his way into the Calder race. But he’s likely on the third line and might not get a lot of power play time. He’ll have to earn it.
One thing GM Chris Drury did was bring in former retired NHL linesman Pierre Racicot to help the team’s centers work on face-offs. A sore spot in recent seasons with the Rangers ranking dead last in ’21, they must improve in that area. There were too many instances where a key defensive draw was lost resulting in a goal allowed. Being able to win more face-offs is critical to having puck possession and limiting the opponent’s time. Gallant wants to see them get better. If Sunday was any early indication, it helped as Zibanejad won more than he lost as did Barron. Chytil lost seven of eleven taken. It’s a place the young third center must make strides in.
Gallant said they brought in retired NHL linesman Pierre Racicot to help the team work on face-offs.
"You look at the numbers and you’ve got to get better… We've got good people there, but we want to win more face-offs and we want to have more control with the puck."#NYR
There really isn’t much else to cover from the past few days. The first preseason game was blah. Anytime you lose 4-0 to the Islanders, there’s not much to say. They were sharp while our guys weren’t. The reason Goodrow got ejected for the boarding major is it drew blood. That’s the new rule. It wasn’t the worst hit from behind. It is what it is. He looked to have early chemistry with Kravtsov and Chytil. Regarding boarding, I believe all penalties should be either four or five minutes because it’s dangerous. Two minutes is too light. They’re supposed to be cracking down on crosschecks. We’ll see.
One big update that fans already have huge interest in. Henrik Lundqvist will have his jersey retired against the Minnesota Wild on January 28, 2022. His number 30 will go up to the rafters joining Ed Giacomin and Mike Richter as the only Ranger goalies to have their number retired. It’s hard to believe they never honored Dave Kerr or Chuck Rayner. They don’t do a good job recognizing their past. As has been discussed, Frank Boucher, Bill and Bun Cook haven’t been honored either. The Bread Line that helped the franchise win two Cups. You also could make strong cases for Brad Park and Ron Greschner. Whatever the case maybe, it would be nice to see an Original Six franchise honor their past. Something that’s covered in great detail by Sean McCaffrey in his Rangers book, The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.
My mom just told me tickets for the Henrik Lundqvist jersey retirement game just jumped from $200 to $1,000 in the matter of four minutes #NYR
As you can see, the demand is high for tickets to witness Henrik Lundqvist take his place among a list of great Rangers. There won’t be any problem selling those tickets. Especially with Lundqvist close friend and former teammate Mats Zuccarello in the building along with ex-backup Cam Talbot, who also played an instrumental role during the ’14-15 season. I can see why they chose the Wild as the opponent. The close relationship between Lundqvist and Zuccarello is a factor. If they didn’t select that game, my guess was the Carolina Hurricanes due to former Blueshirts Jesper Fast, Brady Skjei, Brendan Smith, Derek Stepan and Tony DeAngelo. They’ve replaced the Lightning as the new Rangers South.
As someone who knows I won’t be at the arena for that special night, I’ve been very fortunate to witness the jersey retirements of Mike Richter, Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves, Harry Howell, Andy Bathgate, Jean Ratelle and Vic Hadfield. I have no complaints. It’s time for a new generation of fans to experience such a memorable night. That is one that the building will be packed for.
I can only hope by that point of the season, the Rangers will have gelled into a good team competing for a top four spot in the division. They know what’s at stake. It’s playoffs or bust. I’ll have more tomorrow night following the second exhibition against the Bruins. Expect to see Reaves and Blais with Rooney as the new fourth line gets its feet wet. Plus hopefully Zac Jones, Braden Schneider, Matthew Robertson and first round pick Brennan Othmann. Kakko with Strome and Panarin. Until then.
Although camp opened a couple of days ago for the veteran players on the Devils, it sort of feels more like a real beginning of camp this weekend to me with the team scrimmages starting this afternoon. Media day is more just an appetizer for the fans to get excited when everyone reports to camp in the best shape of their lives and in the best mindset to have career years. I still want to watch a few of the YouTubes of media day anyway – including Fitzy’s above, I’m a little behind on my podcast and YT viewing this week after watching PBS’s terrific mini-series on the boxer/activist Muhammad Ali the last few nights, but that’s neither here nor there.
I can’t claim that I’ll be locked into the scrimmages from whistle to whistle either, it’s hard for me to get motivated to watch games of the team playing each other. What do I root for or against? Scrimmages – and to a large extent the preseason – is for coaches a lot more than fans in my opinion. Coaches need to see how younger players progress and veteran acquisitions fit in and the Devils clearly have a lot of both. GM Tom Fitzgerald, coach Lindy Ruff and their staff will obviously have a lot to do in this preseason with still one of the youngest rosters in the league although supplemented by veteran acquisitions such as the biggest fish Dougie Hamilton and others like fellow d-man Ryan Graves and UFA signings Tomas Tatar and Johnathan Bernier. This isn’t going to be a full season preview, I’ll probably do one closer to the actual start of the regular season when we have a handle on what the lines and roster could look like.
I’m not going to lie, part of me still really wants to go back to the Prudential Center, even for the first preseason game against the Rangers in less than a week and I will be there, make no mistake. I’m just a little more wary of going to games at this point in general though, with the lack of a vaccine mandate to enter the Prudential Center. Granted I got mine a while ago, but as we’ve seen there are still breakthrough infections possible obviously. I’ve pretty much managed to avoid crowded indoor areas for extended periods of time apart from a trip to a local bar with friends here and there the last several months, but finally going back to hockey games again will be a different animal entirely from even that. A preseason game shouldn’t be too crowded under normal circumstances, though Friday night against the Rangers might be closer to a sellout than I’d be comfortable with at this point, especially with the limited number of fans allowed at the Rock last year the first preseason game and first regular season game will be coming out parties for many.
With no restrictions this year (to this point), you’re on top of people and they’re on top of you for extended lengths of time. I’m hopeful at some point early in the season maybe there will be a statewide mandate or arena vaccine mandate instituted, especially if ticket sales are down in part because people are still wary of going to big indoor gatherings. When/if there is a vaccine mandate instituted, I wouldn’t care at all about the indoor crowds or very little after that, aside from trying to avoid the normal wintertime sicknesses. Hopefully people will be smarter and stay home if feeling ill either way, but nobody ever likes to waste the money they drop on tickets. In the meantime I’ll likely try to sell far more pairs than normal though, especially since my friends are even more wary of going to games than I am right now. At least I have an excuse if the Devils ticket department gives me crap about selling more seats than usual, I’m sure I won’t be the only one either.
I don’t really want to spend a whole blog talking about the virus, vaccine mandates and regulations but my own thoughts on attending games kind of dovetail into the other immediate Devil concern on the ice right now – which is the revelation that according to Corey Masisak of the Athletic, the Devils have a ‘prominent’ unvaccinated player, one of only about a dozen in the entire league. Ironically, the league as a whole has really compelled more of its workforce to get the vaccine than I thought it would be able to at this point of camp, given all the public issues the NFL had with some of its players during its preseason. Of course, it would turn out one of our guys is probably the biggest-name holdout at this point. It would have been nice for Masisak to have gotten this right at first since he went on the record saying that all of the Devils’ active roster was vaccinated, then it was found out not to be true later on and he never apologized for having to retract later. You would think reporting would be better for the privilege of being on a pay site, but guess that wouldn’t have changed anything regardless.
If you do some Internet sleuthing one name keeps popping up more than anyone else, I don’t want to believe it or comment on this specific rumor in case god forbid the Internet is actually wrong, except to say this guy would certainly fit the prominent description and it’s hard for me to believe that anyone who was around the team last year when COVID blew up our season (and had the virus himself, as did pretty much the entire team) could possibly be a holdout on getting the vaccine now. Of course you can’t account for stubbornness, which is the most charitable adjective I’ll use. Our COVID break not only compressed our schedule but contributed to a lot of guys’ spotty play post-virus. I’ll have more to say on this specific player if this indeed turns out to be true and the player remains a holdout long enough for it to affect the team one way or another – either another COVID-related absence or this player just missing games because he can’t travel to or play in certain cities with stricter mandates. Not to mention the media and fan reaction spectacle he’ll put himself through when his reticence becomes public.
As much as I and others may not agree with this player’s decision I am glad the Devils are trying to keep his name out of the public record for as long as possible. It buys them some more time to have a good-faith discussion behind the scenes before it becomes the inevitable public spectacle it will become sooner or later if things remain status quo. Plus quite honestly, it’s a little harder to make a public example out of an important roster player than a minor-league/PTO guy like Zac Rinaldo or the bit player the Islanders more or less outed publicly and barred from camp. I’m not sure how much I agree with that but as with all things, the more expendable you are the more you can be made an example of. Hopefully there’ll be a meeting of the minds soon before this becomes an issue on and off the ice, since the player in question will have to miss every road trip to Canada at the very least. Thankfully that won’t occur till December but obviously a decision on the vaccine would have to be made before than for it to take effect.
Hopefully the player will join his teammates and most of the league in getting vaccinated, the team will come to its senses and institute vaccine mandates to enter the Rock and this’ll be the last time I feel compelled to use this blog to discuss it. Hopefully. People can talk about individual rights all they want, of course anyone has the right to not get the shot but in a team setting and a billion-dollar business there are gonna be consequences for that decision, which will ultimately affect more than just the individual. Which is why it’s next to impossible for me to avoid passing judgment on any player who makes that choice in a team sport where such far-reaching consequences exist. Especially for a franchise that had one season so negatively affected by COVID, arguably more than any team in sports.
As NHL training camp nears, rookie prospect games are being played at hockey rinks. With the return of Fall on deck, summer will give way to autumn. That means the end of baseball for both the Yankees and Mets. Yes. I have given up on the Yankees. It also means we get to be tormented by the Jets and Giants. It’s gonna be a long NFL season.
The good news is hockey is coming back. It’ll be starting a bit later, but camps are upcoming along with the batch of six to seven preseason games. Two too many for my taste. Fantasy Hockey Leagues return with drafts. I’m in a keeper league. I look pretty set on my five players. The draft will come before the new season begins. Online like most these days.
The real excitement around this time for fans is being able to keep track of their team’s top prospects in these Rookie Prospect Tournaments. For example, the Devils competed in a three team one hosted by the Sabres at their practice facility. The Bruins were also in it. So, Devil fans got an early glance at young players including Dawson Mercer, Alexander Holtz, Kevin Bahl and Nolan Foote. I believe they split the pair.
While that took place, the Rangers got to see a few of their younger players in a two-game series hosted by the Flyers over the weekend. After losing the first game 6-3 to a good Philadelphia roster that features Cam York, Tyson Foerster, Morgan Frost, Wade Allison and Samuel Ersson, the Rangers team bounced back on Sunday with a 3-2 win to gain a split. After playing ’19-20 for the Flint Firebirds
Among the notables who played for the Kid Blueshirts were Zac Jones, Morgan Barron, Tarmo Reunanen, Nils Lundkvist, Will Cuylle, Lauri Pajuniemi, Dylan Garand, Matthew Robertson, Braden Schneider and recent first round pick Brennan Othmann. Following a loss in which both Barron and the underrated Pajuniemi scored, it was some of those key players who contributed to the one-goal win yesterday at the Flyers practice facility in Voorhes, New Jersey.
In a good comeback, the Rangers’ rookie prospects used a pair of power play goals from Cuylle to respond. A gritty forward who got into a few games for the Wolf Pack during a COVID shortened AHL season, he tipped in both of his goals off good low shots from Jones. Jones stood out as the team’s best player in the game. He was very noticeable throughout and superb running the point on the power play. He tallied two assists.
Another Blueshirt who had a strong game was goalie Dylan Garand. He came on in the second half of the game. When the Flyers made a push at even strength, Garand was there to make some big saves to prevent them from getting on the scoreboard. He’s kind of the forgotten guy in the team’s system. A fourth round pick selected 103rd in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Rangers, the 19-year old from Victoria, British Columbia spent 18 games in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kamloops Blazers where he posted a 15-3-0 record with a 2.15 GAA, .921 save percentage and three shutouts. Garand also got into two games for Hartford prior. It had to help his development. Obviously, with Igor Shesterkin the top guy in the Big Apple with Alex Georgiev backing up, there’s plenty of time for Garand to continue to develop.
In the third period of a tie hockey game thanks to the two Cuylle power play goals that brought them back following a two-goal Flyers first period, Nils Lundkvist made headlines when he picked a good time to get his first goal. On a Flyers’ defensive breakdown, he took a feed, skated in and ripped a wrist shot from 20 feet past the Philadelphia goalie for the go-ahead tally. It held up as the winner. Obviously, Lundkvist is the favorite to grab the third spot on the right side behind Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba. He’s here to provide the offense Tony DeAngelo once did which can aid Fox. A good skater with skill, Lundkvist produced well back home in Sweden. Now, his job is to make the Rangers out of camp. If he can, he’ll provide another good skating D who can quickly transition from defense to offense. He could also play power play. It was a nice introduction.
Other players who looked good were Reunanen and recent first round pick Othmann. The latter definitely was effective on the power play where he was featured at the right circle as a trigger. Obviously, he’ll go back to juniors and get more experience in what hopefully will be a more normal season up north. After playing ’19-20 with the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), he spent ’21 in the Swiss League where he put up seven goals and nine assists for 16 points with 64 penalty minutes in 34 games for Olten EHC. That was enough for the Rangers to take him. I’ll be curious to see if he stays long enough to take part in a preseason game.
The only reason for preseason is to see the younger prospects who could be part of the future. That’s the excitement. Of course, the more established NHL players need three games to get into game shape. The only thing you worry about are injuries. You want a healthy NHL roster entering a new season. Especially with it expected to be a full 82-game schedule. The fun starts on October 13.
Congratulations to Travis Zajac on an outstanding NHL career. To think the Devils took him right after the Rangers moved up to take Lauri Korpikoski. The thing is Korpikoski was a solid NHL player who became a good checking forward that was effective on the penalty kill. The Rangers weren’t very patient with him. The Devils were rewarded after Zajac spent some time at North Dakota, which also produced former Devil Zach Parise. He left the Wild for the Islanders, who also will have Zdeno Chara back where he started before a misguided Mike Milbury dealt him away along with the first round pick that became Jason Spezza for Alexei Yashin. Bill Muckalt was also in the trade.
Zajac spent almost his whole career in New Jersey. He once centered the ZZ Pop Line that featured Parise, him and Jamie Langenbrunner. It was a productive line. Eventually, Zajac became a two-way center who could go up against top scoring lines and kill penalties. He also was solid in the face-off circle. He got one more crack at the playoffs when Lou Lamoriello acquired him to help the Islanders make a second consecutive appearance in the Final Four. But in the rematch, they lost to the Lightning in seven games. Tampa repeated. Their toughest challenge were those Isles.
In a nice touch, the Devils signed Zajac to a one-day contract so he could retire a New Jersey Devil. Please refer to Hasan’s piece on Zajac for more on a good player who for a long time, didn’t miss many games. He appeared in the 2012 Stanley Cup Final they lost to the Kings. Good luck to him in retirement.
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