Haley makes roster while Chytil, Kravtsov, Lindgren assigned to Hartford

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Derek

In a surprise, the Rangers signed Micheal Haley to a contract. The veteran agitator made the team following a pro tryout during training camp. This will be the 33-year old center’s second go round as a Blueshirt. He spent nine games on Broadway during ’12-13.

Best known for his tenacity and toughness, Haley has bounced around the league splitting time in the AHL. He’s previously played for the Islanders, Sharks twice, Panthers and now will rejoin the Rangers. With the team opting to go with only 22 players due to a light schedule early, he’ll be the extra forward behind Greg McKegg, who made the roster.

By signing Haley, the Rangers placed Boo Nieves on waivers. If he clears, he’ll be reassigned to Hartford. He didn’t have the best camp. However, it’s surprising that he didn’t make the roster while Haley did. Maybe it’s best for Nieves to move on. He’s been a good teammate. The former second round pick in 2012 has played parts of three seasons in New York. In 72 career NHL games, he’s 5-14-19 with 20 penalty minutes. Hopefully, someone will claim him.

Of course, the bigger news is who didn’t make the Opening Night roster. We knew Filip Chytil wasn’t due to a disappointing camp. Ryan Lindgren going to Hartford isn’t a shocker either due to their infatuation with Libor Hajek. He will need more game play to stay sharp.

However, Vitali Kravtsov not making it is a bit disappointing. Sure. The 19-year old 2018 first round pick taken number nine, has plenty of time to be called up. If he plays well with the Wolf Pack, my guess you’ll see him sooner rather than later.

I thought he deserved to be on the roster. However, the organization decided to start the season with only 22 players. Not 23. So, he goes down to Hartford with Chytil where he’ll get top line minutes and power play time. It’s not the end of the world.

From a development standpoint, it makes sense. I always knew this was a possibility. Especially with the top six set. Ryan Strome will center the second line for now due to nobody proving they’re ready for that big responsibility. David Quinn wanted to give it to Chytil, who played in 75 games last season and never went down. But he showed his age. He is 20 and not physically ready. He should learn the center position in the AHL.

I was willing to see what Kravtsov could do if he played on the third line. Instead, your likely third line is Lias Andersson, Brendan Lemieux and Vladislav Namestnikov. Unless Quinn opts for Jesper Fast and shifts the ornery Lemieux to the fourth line. But they want Lemieux in the top nine. He has chemistry with Andersson and Namestnikov can play either side.

The likely fourth line should look like McKegg, Brett Howden and Fast. A checking unit of two vets and a second-year player who was okay in preseason. All three can kill penalties.

The defense will be Brady Skjei-Jacob Trouba, Marc Staal-Tony DeAngelo, Libor Hajek-Adam Fox. A strong showing allowed Brendan Smith to make it as a versatile extra D who can double as a wing on the fourth line. Full credit to the veteran for proving he still can have a role.

As expected, Igor Shesterkin was sent to Hartford. The KHL import was good in limited action showing why the organization is so high on him. There’s no rush with Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev here.

I’ll have a team preview later. Plus an NHL one by tomorrow.

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A telling Quinn quote could bode well for Kravtsov

Posted on September 29, 2019 by Derek

Vitali Kravtsov should be given an opportunity to start with the Rangers on the third line. AP Photo via Getty Images

Following last night’s 4-2 loss to the Islanders in Bridgeport, coach David Quinn discussed both the final preseason game and the tough decisions he will make regarding the roster.

In less than 24 hours, the Rangers will make the final eight cuts to get down to what their 23-man roster should look like. While some are obvious such as Vinni Lettieri, Micheal Haley, Joe Morrow, along with both Igor Shesterkin and Yegor Rykov Hartford bound, the last few choices are always the hardest.

Quinn talked about taking the best 23 players. If that’s true, then there should be a place for Vitali Kravtsov. Only 19, the 2018 first round pick the club took with the number nine pick, has done enough to warrant keeping him at the start of the season.

A good skater with smart offensive instincts and size, the Russian forward showed enough in training camp to be given a spot in the starting lineup this Thursday against Winnipeg at MSG. One thing Quinn also noted prior to yesterday was that Kravtsov looks like he cares about making the right decisions with the puck in the defensive zone and neutral zone. A positive outlook that felt like a ringing endorsement.

While I believe he should be a top six forward, Kravtsov won’t be right away. With Quinn shifting versatile forward Ryan Strome to center the second line, that means at best Kravtsov can be in the top nine. As much as a third line of Lias Andersson, Vladislav Namestnikov and Jesper Fast makes sense, the Blueshirts would be better suited with Fast playing the right side on a checking line with Brendan Lemieux and Brett Howden, who should get the nod at fourth line center over veteran Greg McKegg.

You can stick Kravtsov with Andersson and Namestnikov, giving the third line more skill. Not a bad thing for two tenacious hard workers. There’s no reason not to try it out. If he’s ready, maybe Kravtsov will stick. If he stays, he should also see power play time on the second unit.

It really all depends on what the organization thinks is best. They could just decide to send down Kravtsov with Filip Chytil, who looks like he needs more time to develop at Hartford. Especially after a disappointing camp in which he struggled to distinguish himself. Chytil can play his natural position of center and learn while receiving top line and power play duties.

Three players the Rangers must decide on are Boo Nieves, Ryan Lindgren and vet Brendan Smith. Both Lindgren and Smith played well. But who would be better suited as a seventh defenseman? Assuming Libor Hajek is on the third pair with Adam Fox, it probably makes sense to send Lindgren to Hartford. That way he gets game action and stays sharp. He did enough to make the team, but being a scratch won’t help his development.

As for Nieves, he is a solid extra forward, who can come in and play fourth line while killing penalties. However, McKegg is more proven and had a better showing. He set up a couple of goals including Tony DeAngelo’s yesterday when the Islanders were “head hunting.” A Quinn reference to both Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin going after Brendan Lemieux while DeAngelo scored, which was appropriate.

If Quinn is serious about taking the best 23 players, then Kravtsov should be on the roster. Let’s see what he can do.

Here’s what my roster would look like:

Panarin-Zibanejad-Buchnevich

Kreider-Strome-Kakko

Namestnikov-Andersson-Kravtsov

Lemieux-Howden-Fast

Skjei-Trouba

Staal-DeAngelo

Hajek-Fox

Lundqvist

Georgiev

Extras:

F McKegg

F Nieves

D Smith

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Barzal scores with 2:20 left as Isles take preseason finale 4-2 over young Blueshirts

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Derek

It was a wild third period. For a game that didn’t mean a whole lot for either side, the action was fast and furious. There were a lot of hits dished out. Some dirty ones including a cheap shot from Cal Clutterbuck on Brendan Lemieux, who also took a cross check from Matt Martin post whistle.

In the final tuneup before they pare down their roster to 23, the younger Blueshirts gave a very good account of themselves in a competitive 4-2 loss to the Isles at Bridgeport.

The difference was a goal from Islanders number one center Mat Barzal, who took perfect Ryan Pulock feed and buried a one-timer past Alexandar Georgiev with 2:20 remaining. Jordan Eberle got the play started as the top line caught the Rangers fourth line out during a extended shift.

Prior to Barzal’s game-winner, Tony DeAngelo tied the game at two thanks to a quick backhand pass from former Hurricane Greg McKegg. His quick wrist shot beat Thomas Greiss. Prior to the goal, both Clutterbuck and Martin were running around like chickens by making a bee line for primary target Lemieux. He was at his agitating best throughout, drawing a penalty in the game. Lemieux let a flying Martin bounce off him. Play continued with DeAngelo sniping to tie it up.

Afterwards, you had the intensity of a NHL game between bitter rivals. Given that they went without their top two lines and top three defensemen, the Rangers have to be happy with how the kids played. A few vets also made their presence known including McKegg and Brendan Smith. Both of who had strong showings. McKegg looks like a lock for the final roster. As for Smith, the jury remains out. He sure played hard on the fourth line. He’ll likely get shuttled back and forth.

Despite allowing three goals on 25 shots, Georgiev was superb. He made several big saves and looks like the same steady backup, who can supplant Henrik Lundqvist to keep him fresh. His positioning was very good.

The only concern is Vitali Kravtsov, who looked to sustain a right arm injury on a freakish collision with Casey Cizikas. There were only 23 seconds left following Adam Pelech’s empty netter. Both were in pain on the bench.

However, Kravtsov looked okay at the end staying on the bench while Cizikas was bent over on the Isles bench. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious for Kravtsov, who made a case to stay. Ultimately, it’s up to the organization.

Quick Update on Kravtsov:

Sounds like he should be okay. That’s very good news.

Filip Chytil had a better third period following more struggles. He absorbed some tough checks to make good plays in the offensive zone. Is it too late? We’ll know soon enough.

That’s gonna do it. I’ll hop on Periscope for a bit later to discuss more on the game, the Isles’ cheap tactics, and the potential 23-man Rangers roster.

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Lias Andersson is your third center

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Derek

All training camp, Lias Andersson has been on a mission. Out to prove he can a better two-way center option due to a good workout regimen that saw him lose some weigh, the 2017 number seven pick taken by the Rangers in the first round has proven he belongs on the ’19-20 roster.

Improved skating along with his usual fiery grit have been on display throughout preseason. He entered tonight’s final exhibition match versus the Islanders with two goals. That tied him for the team lead with Artemi Panarin.

Andersson continues to make a good impression. He’s around the puck, wins defensive battles, and has been noticeably better offensively. His hustle was rewarded earlier this week in a home win. Tonight, he set up the lone goal for the Blueshirts by staying with the puck and finding Vladislav Namestnikov open for a quick one-timer that beat Islanders backup Thomas Greiss.

Given how well the third line has played in this game, it’s likely that you’ll see Andersson centering Namestnikov and Jesper Fast on Thursday night against Winnipeg.

It’s funny the way things work out. When the Rangers sent Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to the Coyotes in exchange for that number seven pick and Tony DeAngelo, it didn’t look so good initially. But that’s the thing about trades. Things can change quickly.

DeAngelo looks like a top four defenseman who’s reliable at both ends, and Andersson is starting to look like the guy the Rangers selected. People forgot how young he was, even writing him off.

Well, he fits. Filip Chytil continues to struggle. He’s likely headed to Hartford. As for Vitali Kravtsov, he has a case. But the numbers don’t favor him. So, expect him to be sent down.

I’ll have a little more later.

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Key young Blueshirts on bubble in tonight’s preseason finale in Bridgeport

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Derek

It all comes down to this. For young forwards Filip Chytil, Brett Howden and Vitali Kravtsov, they’re on the bubble to make the Rangers 23-man roster as camp breaks. So much so that both 19-year old Kravtsov and 20-year old Chytil are slated to play with Howden on the first line in the final tuneup against the Islanders at Bridgeport.

The game is an hour away. With coach David Quinn pretty much set on his top six, top four D and of course Henrik Lundqvist, who’ll start Opening Night versus Winnipeg next week, he’s tinkered with the lines. Hence the following lineup for the sixth and final exhibition game tonight.

More excellent reporting from Vince Mercogliano, who’s quickly becoming the go to guy for Rangers news. He’s on The Athletic, but his tweets are top notch due to the information they contain. He’s also easy to discuss the team with. A big time plus.

While the trio of Chytil, Howden and Kravtsov will work together in a last attempt to catch the team’s attention, Quinn has Lias Andersson between Vladislav Namestnikov and Jesper Fast. That very well could be a checking line we see during the season. Although I like the chemistry between Andersson and pest Brendan Lemieux. I have to believe they’ll be together with either Fast or Namestnikov.

Another player who is looking to make one final impression is Boo Nieves. A little older than the kids due to playing four years at Michigan and a couple in Hartford, he is a solid fit for the fourth line due to his checking and penalty killing. However, it all depends on if DQ decides to go with both Andersson and Howden as his third and fourth centers. Nieves is also effective on draws. He also wouldn’t be a bad guy to carry as an extra forward.

Boo gets a look with Lemieux and soon to be ticketed for Hartford in Vinni Lettieri. With that a interesting third line even if it doesn’t blow away optimistic fans of the youth movement, Quinn has also decided to take a look at secret weapon Brendan Smith on the wing with former Hurricane Greg McKegg and Michael Haley. Of the trio, McKegg has been impressive throughout camp and should make the final cut. What they decide to do with Smith is anyone’s guess. He hasn’t hurt himself.

Libor Hajek gets a look with Tony DeAngelo as a top pair. A pairing we could see depending on Adam Fox, who is in the lineup with the forgotten 21-year old Ryan Lindgren. The steady defensive D, who finishes every check and blocks shots. The question is is Lindgren better off in Hartford instead of being an early healthy scratch? Probably.

Former Winnipeg Jet Joe Morrow gets one more shot on his PTO to try to earn a spot as an extra D. He’s paired with Tarmo Reunanen.

Alexandar Georgiev is expected to go all the way to get more action. Igor Shesterkin backs up. As impressive as he’s been, he’ll start with the Wolf Pack. The right move for the KHL import.

If there is one disappointing aspect, it’s that they never got to see what Yegor Rykov could do. An injury prevented him from even getting into a game. So, he’s headed to Hartford. Keep an eye on the former St. Petersburg SKA and Sochi HC defenseman, who was included in the Michael Grabner trade with the Devils. He’s still only 22.

That’s all for now. After the game, I’ll have a brief recap and go on Periscope live to give some final observations about who’ll make the roster.

Cya later.

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2019-20 Devils season preview

Posted on September 28, 2019 by hasan4978

With the Devils’ preseason now concluded and final roster decisions just days away, it’s time to look forward to the upcoming campaign, which for the Devils will start on Friday in Newark against the Winnipeg Jets.  Even though the team’s 5-2 preseason record is now irrelevant, there were still a lot of positive signs from the team’s seven-game preseason, starting with the return to the ice for franchise bellcow Taylor Hall.  Hall had not played a game since last December but in typical Hallsy fashion, made an instant impact with two goals and two assists in those two games.

Hall will have to be the engine that the rest of the team’s forwards can feed off of, starting with young centers Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes – all former #1 overall picks.  Hischier is going into his third NHL season and is looking to improve on an already strong all-around game, stating that working on his faceoffs was a goal of this offseason.  Improvement there would only add to the threat the 20-year old poses, and he was certainly a factor in the preseason with five points in five games.  Hughes obviously has much to prove having not played in a game that counts, but early returns are promising after a preseason where Hughes got the first star in his first two home games while scoring three goals total in four games played, including a game-winner against the Bruins in his first game (see above).  Although vet Travis Zajac’s always available to fill in during a pinch and will still have a pivotal role as the team’s top faceoff man and checking center, it’ll be the two youngsters counted on to center the Devils’ much improved top lines.

Along with a healthy Hall and crack goal scorer Kyle Palmieri, KHL import Nikita Gusev should fill a role in the top six, and early returns on the talented winger were also promising as Gusev scored four points (two goals) in five games, already inspiring GOOOSE! chants at the Rock.  The team’s last top six slot is a bit open-ended but will likely start with either third-year pro Jesper Bratt at 2RW, or FA signing Wayne Simmonds.  They couldn’t be more different as players but the team will need both the talented Bratt and gritty Simmonds’ skillsets throughout the year, and a proportedly healthy Simmonds should give the team needed physicality and play a big role on the team’s power play.  Bratt on the other hand is looking to take the next step forward this year after steady improvement throughout his first two seasons.  Only a fluke jaw injury early last year prevented Bratt from at least a 40-45 point season, as he talled just 33 in 51 games.

With the team’s top six improved, the back six up front should also be better starting with Simmonds or Bratt on the wing.  Zajac and 22-goal grinder Blake Coleman should provide solid PK work while Pavel Zacha will look to build on the improvement long-in-coming he showed late last year, and with a new long-term contract (and a new visa!) to boot.  Speedy Miles Wood took a step back last year after a camp holdout but still should add both skill and bang to the team’s back six.  If Wood doesn’t take a step forward this year he could be pushed for playing time by offseason import John Hayden, who was singled out for praise by coach John Hynes during camp.  And what of Jesper Boqvist?  A former second-round pick in 2017, Boqvist won’t turn 21 till the end of October and seemingly has won a job with a strong camp.  Assuming he’s on the roster, Boqvist could very well push for top six time as well as some power play usage.  Although he didn’t make the team, malinged 2016 first-round pick Mike McLeod defied my expectations and had a strong camp, putting the staff on notice and himself toward the front of the callup line.

On the blueline the picture is still a bit unsettled.  If the Devils had a dissapointment during camp, it was defenseman Ty Smith (as much of a dissapointment as a 19-year old can be, to be fair) having some rocky games and being squarely on the bubble to be returned to juniors.  Many – including me – figured on Smith to make the club after a strong camp and outstanding season in juniors last year but fortunately the team at least has roster flexibility and seven defensemen already under contract, plus career depth guy and camp wonder Matt Tennyson hanging around.  I’d still be surprised if Tennyson made the club but they could very well carry eight defensemen and extend the competition for the final spot into the regular season.  Still, the battle between Smith, Tennyson, Connor Carrick and Mirco Mueller for the #6 spot shouldn’t make or break the d-core.

What will determine how good the d-core is, will be how healthy and effective the top five of P.K. Subban, Damon Severson, Sami Vatanen, Andy Greene and Will Butcher can be.  Subban was GM Ray Shero’s key acquisition this offseason, a #1D at even strength who can add some punch to a previously suspect power play.  After an off year due to injury last season, Subban should thrive in Newark.  Severson showed improvement last year and should be just fine on the second pairing.  Butcher didn’t look as good offensively as I hoped last year following his sensational rookie campaign but he did improve defensively in the second half as well.  In many ways the biggest question marks are the vets…can Vatanen return to 2017-18 form?  Especially if he’s playing on his off (left) side given the addition of RD Subban to Severson on the right side of the top four.  And will Andy Greene be able to maintain a viable presence in the top four and being the top PK defenseman while staying healthy at 36 going on 37?  Both are free agents providing another level of intrigue to the d-core.

Of course in many cases the d-core is only as good as the goaltending, which was horrible early last season but did a 180 in the second half with the return of Cory Schneider to the form of a couple years ago, and the spectacular debut of 22-year old Mackenzie Blackwood in trying circumstances.  There’s some question as to who is going to play how much, the chalk would have Cory getting the first opportunity to regain his starting job and despite my personal skepticism of him he did everything he needed to do to give himself a chance to take back the starting job.

Cory concluded his preseason in style with a 30-save shutout of the Blue Jackets last night, silencing the infamous cannon in Ohio.  It’s not as if Blackwood was any slouch in the preseason either with a 2.28 GAA and .912 save in three games.  Either taking the job and running with it, or both playing well and providing a tag-team would dramatically improve the team from last year when bad goaltending sank the team in the first half before Hall’s injury kept them submerged in the second half.

With the improved talent and expectations surrounding the team you would think perhaps coach Hynes would be feeling pressure for the first time in his tenure here, but Shero has shown a lot of patience with the coach in the past.  To his credit, what Hynes lacks in x’s and o’s, he so far has more than made up for with locker room leadership and showing he’ll give younger players chances while getting on vets – at least sometimes.  Will that remain enough to stay off the hot seat with a slow start?  Or will the team get off to the dynamic start they did two seasons ago and play from in front?  That would certainly be more ideal than the former scenario.

I can’t even fathom making a prediction though…I do feel this team will be improved but I also think a lot of teams we’re competing with in the East are also improved.  And certainly if just a couple of our question marks go south, things could head off the track in a hurry.  All you can really ask from the preseason is good health and signs of improvement, and so far so good on both those fronts.

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Zibanejad and Lundqvist highlight Rangers shootout win over Flyers in preseason

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Derek

Mika Zibanejad celebrates with Lias Andersson. AP Photo via Getty Images courtesy NHL.com.

On a night some kids were still looking to make last impressions, it was the Swedish veterans who got it done. Henrik Lundqvist and Mika Zibanejad led them to a nice 2-1 preseason win over the Flyers in the shootout.

Going all the way, Lundqvist was sharp throughout stopping 32 of 33 shots including all three Flyer shooters. He definitely looks ready to go, earning the game’s first star, and leaving the ice with a grin.

Mika Zibanejad got the only goal in the shootout. Following a strong pad stop from Lundqvist on impressive Flyers rookie Joel Farabee, out came number 93. He flew in on Carter Hart and went to a nice deke, backhand top shelf inside the crossbar in the bottom of the third.

It wasn’t a Picasso or Renoir. The play was very choppy in the first two periods. There were a lot of icings and offsides. The third was better with the Rangers controlling much of the action. They created some good opportunities, but Hart had himself a good night as well.

The only goals in regulation came from Lias Andersson and Travis Konecny. Andersson continued his strong preseason with his hustle leading to him batting a puck in on a play set up from Tony DeAngelo, who had a very good game. He missed the first four due to signing late. He was superb throughout while teaming with Marc Staal, who had a solid night. They will likely be paired again to start the season, leaving Libor Hajek and Adam Fox as the third pair.

Brady Skjei had a good game. He played with Brendan Smith, who was surprisingly good even getting a couple of scoring chances. They both skated well with Skjei in particular making good defensive plays and creating offense.

Jacob Trouba was with Hajek, who struggled on one particular shift. He is a key to the revamped blueline. If he has issues, Ryan Lindgren can always come up and play. Trouba was physical and made some nice reads. He is going to do well.

In terms of two young forwards to watch, Vitali Kravtsov had a better game than Filip Chytil. They got to play with Zibanejad and were fairly quiet the first half. Playing back on the right wing, Chytil didn’t distinguish himself, even taking a lazy offensive zone minor penalty.

Meanwhile, Kravtsov got better in the third and was rewarded with an overtime shift. He got to play with Chris Kreider and Skjei. The combination nearly ended it. Kravtsov was in on Hart, but fanned on the shot. He also nearly had Kreider for the winner on a quick pass and one-timer.

I know he’s only 19. But I like what I’ve seen from Kravtsov. Chytil just hasn’t had a good camp. He looks off. Maybe they should send him down to Hartford and keep Kravtsov up. He can start on a third line with likely candidates Brett Howden and Vladislav Namestnikov. I wonder if the organization would rather get Kravtsov time in Hartford and hope Chytil finds his game. He has a season under his belt.

Andersson has definitely earned a spot by being more physical and active on the forecheck and responsible defensively. He lost some weight. It shows as he is faster to the puck and winning battles. You could make a case for him centering the third line. But I like the chemistry he has with Brendan Lemieux and believe Jesper Fast is a good fit on a checking line.

The coaching staff can always interchange depending how both Howden and Andersson are doing.

Kaapo Kakko played with Ryan Strome and Kreider mostly on the second line. The trio improved over the night. Their best shift was a good cycle where Strome held the puck and made a couple of good centering feeds for open teammates. For a guy who doesn’t play center a lot, he sure makes smart reads.

The Flyers goal came off a very good pass from Kevin Hayes. He was able to send the puck across with it banking off Konecny’s skate and then Staal. I’m not sure how Hayes got the puck over there. But he was a pain in the ass all night and his team’s best player. If preseason is an early indication, Hayes could become a Ranger killer. I already refer to him as Kevin BLEEPING Hayes.

Both goalies were superb throughout. While there weren’t a lot of highlight reel saves, Lundqvist got across on one and denied a Michael Raffl bid with a quick glove preventing a goal. He definitely looked like the old Henrik we’ve become accustomed to. Encouraging.

There were a couple of early scraps including Lemieux and Sean Couturier going at it until Brendan’s helmet came off. Vinni Lettieri was challenged by Scott Laughton due to him accidentally interfering with Hart. That was nothing much.

You also had Raffl take a cheap shot on Lettieri by taking out his legs before a face-off. DeAngelo had words for him. It was stupid. That’s the Flyers for you.

The best part of the shootout was when Kakko came out for the second shot. The crowd made tons of noise in hopes he would score. He made a great move and had Hart beat, but sent his backhand off the side of the net. Maybe next week when it starts up for real.

Farabee, who Lundqvist stoned, hit two posts during play. He’s the same age (19) as Kravtsov. He looks good. I think you’ll be seeing more of him even if it’s not right away.

Sam and Joe couldn’t wait for this one to end. It went long and it’s preseason. Can you blame them? Micheletti even quipped they should pull both goalies with eight minutes left in regulation.

Greg McKegg had another nice showing even creating a shorthanded bid for Boo Nieves, who couldn’t quite finish. I think McKegg makes it as the 13th forward. He knows how to play and is a good guy to have on a young roster.

The final preseason game is at Bridgeport on Saturday versus the Islanders. By then, we should have a good idea what the roster will look like.

My guess for Opening Night:

Panarin-Zibanejad-Buchnevich

Kreider-Strome-Kakko

Namestnikov-Howden-Chytil

Lemieux-Andersson-Fast

Extra: McKegg

Skjei-Trouba

Staal-DeAngelo

Hajek-Fox

Lundqvist

Georgiev

That would be 21 players. So, they can keep up to 23. Maybe it’s Ryan Lindgren as number 22 if they go with 7 D. If not, then it’s Nieves which means 14 F. Unless they decide to keep Kravtsov. You know how I feel. He deserves to make it.

Igor Shesterkin will be reassigned to Hartford on Saturday. Georgiev is expected to get the whole game at the Isles.

That’s all for now. I got a Fantasy Hockey Draft tomorrow night. That should be fun.

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Chytil to get a look on top line versus Flyers

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Derek

Tonight, the Rangers host the Flyers at 33rd and Seventh Avenue. It’s the fifth installment of six exhibition games.

Henrik Lundqvist is expected to get the start and go the whole way. A welcome change. He can use the extra work as preseason winds down. The roster is currently at 31 including promising KHL import Igor Shesterkin, who’ll have backup duty later.

Filip Chytil has been shifted back to the right wing. It’s where he had most of his success last season. He isn’t ready to become a full-time center. However, he’s only 20 and can still excel on the right side where there are less defensive responsibilities.

Coach David Quinn will get a closer look by having Chytil play on the first line with impressive rookie Vitali Kravtsov, who notched his first goal in the 3-1 victory the other night. Mika Zibanejad will center the two young forwards.

Based on the lines posted by the Rangers on Twitter, fans will also get to see the new second line. Ryan Strome will be between Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko. While some fans don’t want to see Strome as the second center, it’ll likely be this way for now until someone grabs that spot. Kravtsov has played center before, doing so for Russia at last year’s WJC. He did a nice job, but that was against players his age.

Here are the projected lines, which include a mind numbing third pair of Brady Skjei and secret weapon Brendan Smith. Relax. It’s preseason. I know it MATTAHS! Tony DeAngelo gets his first action pairing up with Marc Staal.

Lias Andersson will center a interesting third line with Brendan Lemieux and Vladislav Namestnikov. In the likely candidates who’ll get sent down, Boo Nieves anchors Greg McKegg and Vinni Lettieri. Nieves and McKegg are still in the mix for the extra forward. I would lean more towards the veteran McKegg if they decide Kravtsov is better off getting more ice time in Hartford. He is a solid energizer, who’ll had a similar role with the Hurricanes.

Well, the game starts in an hour. Follow me on Twitter @BattleOfHudson. I’ll tweet some stuff. Maybe not overboard because you know. Preseason!

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Quinn moves struggling Chytil back to wing

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Derek

For now at least, it looks like the Filip Chytil center experiment is over. The young forward, who’s entering his second full year, hasn’t distinguished himself in camp or preseason.

In today’s practice, he was listed back on the right wing with Brett Howden centering a third line with Vladislav Namestnikov on the other side. Whether or not that is how it’ll look on Opening Night remains to be seen. However, Chytil understands that there are more defensive responsibilities at center. An area he must work on.

Let’s not lose sight of the fact the 21st pick in 2017 just turned 20 earlier this month. He’s a young player, who was featured more on the right wing than at center in ’18-19. It allowed him to create more and score some highlight reel goals. He only wound up with 11 to go with 12 assists for a total of 23 points in 75 games.

It was when coach David Quinn shifted Chytil back to his natural position of center that the Czech’s production suffered. He probably hit a rookie wall. He had never played that many games before in a season. Plus the move to center brought on more defensive responsibilities. An area he must improve on if he’s to eventually become a dependable center.

I never liked the idea of force feeding Chytil to center the second line because I felt it was too soon. There’s no reason to rush him if he isn’t ready. Both Howden and Lias Andersson have had better showings so far. They look more comfortable at the center position and stronger. So, it looks like you can pencil them in for the third and fourth line.

As far as the second line, the practice had veteran Ryan Strome between Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko. The older Strome is always an option to shift to center if it’s necessary. Though I’d prefer him on the right wing, there’s no viable option to center the second unit entering the season. Unless you think either Howden or Andersson can. I would say Howden based on how he played last night with Kakko and Vitali Kravtsov. But I doubt Quinn will do that.

If Quinn really wants all three of Andersson, Chytil and Howden on the roster, that leaves Kravtsov as the odd man out. Even though he deserves to make it based on his play, even scoring a nice goal versus the Islanders, he won’t have a spot in the top six. He’s not a bottom six player. They may as well start the 2018 first round pick in Hartford and let him get top minutes.

Unless they were able to move Strome, which is more likely later this season, expect Kravtsov to be with the Wolf Pack. He’ll have close Russian pal Igor Shesterkin with him once he’s reassigned. For now, Shesty is still here.

The Rangers reassigned four players including Adam Huska earlier. Second round pick Matthew Robertson was sent to his Junior team, the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The other cuts were Phillip Di Giuseppe and Tarmo Reunanen. Danny O’Regan was placed on waivers.

Nothing earth shattering. Thirty-one players remain in camp. They are as follows:

Goalies: Lundqvist, Georgiev, Shesterkin

Defensemen: Skjei, Trouba, Staal, Fox, Hajek, DeAngelo, Lindgren, Smith, Rykov, Morrow (PTO)

Forwards: Zibanejad, Panarin, Buchnevich, Strome, Kreider, Kakko, Howden, Namestnikov, Chytil, Andersson, Lemieux, Fast, Kravtsov, Nieves, McKegg, Haley, Fogarty, Lettieri

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Derek talks Rangers preseason and excitement for a New Era

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Derek

https://www.pscp.tv/NewYorkPuck/follow

What I covered in my return to Periscope is how excited I feel about the Rangers headed into a promising season along with a bright future.

Talked some about the 3-1 preseason win over the Islanders.

Highlights:

Vitali Kravtsov scored and looks like he belongs.

The Russian Connection of Panarin and Buchnevich clicked with Zibanejad.

My takeaway on how strong Kaapo Kakko is around the net with the puck.

Adam Fox continues to impress with smart puck decisions.

Lundqvist looked sharp as did Georgiev. Important stuff.

A look at what I think the Opening Night roster could be for now.

Plus the excitement of a new chapter in the Hudson Rivalry.

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