AP Photo via Getty Images
We already know how good Jack Hughes is. He wanted to remind the Rangers. On the first shift of his preseason debut versus the Devils’ top rival, he announced himself to Henrik Lundqvist.
Wait until the regular season when these Hudson rivals meet. You’ll have Hughes and Kaapo Kakko battling it out all year long.
On the same day former Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi announced his retirement from hockey, the Blueshirts took care of a little business by finally re-signing key defenseman Tony DeAngelo.
He basically accepted the one year qualifying offer and will make $925,000 for the season. He had no choice. Honestly, his holdout was silly because it made no sense. He got bad advice from his agent. At least he is back in the fold like Brendan Lemieux. Now, both can play for a raise next summer.
Last season, DeAngelo responded to many benchings from coach David Quinn by improving his play to become a trusted member of the defense. In a year he was scratched 21 times, the former Lightning first round pick from New Jersey began to show some of the potential he’s had.
He registered new career highs in games played (61), assists (26), points (30) and plus/minus (6). His splits were good with 20 even strength points (4-16-20) and 10 power play points (all assists). He also played with a chip on his shoulder getting into a few scraps by registering 77 penalty minutes.
With DeAngelo, who’s still only 23, it’s about channeling his emotions so he can become consistent. The skating and ability is undeniable. Quinn isn’t afraid to make an example of him or other players to get his message across. That’s good for development.
DeAngelo isn’t skating today. It’ll probably be a few days before we see him get into a preseason game. Hopefully, he can get the rust out. Especially with what Adam Fox showed on Tuesday.
The good news is the right side is finally revamped. Jacob Trouba headlines it as the anchor followed by Fox and DeAngelo. They could interchange on the second and third pairs depending.
It’s definitely encouraging to have everyone re-signed and in camp unlike a few other teams, who are still scrambling to get some of the big unsigned Group II free agents re-signed.
The rebuilding Rangers can move forward. Tonight will be their second game of the preseason. It’s again the Devils, but in Newark. Here’s the projected lineup.
No Kaapo Kakko tonight. I think Jack Hughes is playing for the Devils. It’s almost as if a game is being played between both teams. They don’t want to draw much attention to exhibition. We’ll have to wait.
After 13 years, Dan Girardi called it a career today. Once undrafted, he became a fixture on the Rangers defense.
One of Glen Sather’s best signings, he developed into a shutdown defenseman who did whatever it took to help the Blueshirts win games. For 11 years, Girardi wore the Rangers jersey with pride and passion. He would frequently sacrifice his body for the cause. Whether it was a huge hit or death defying block, number 5 was a true warrior.
Imagine going from not even drafted to a key piece of those teams that went deep in the playoffs. They made three Conference Finals and one Stanley Cup appearance between 2012 and 2015. They don’t get there without Girardi, who frequently paired up with Marc Staal and then Ryan McDonagh.
The Rangers paid tribute to him in a special video tribute with praise from Henrik Lundqvist, Chris Kreider and Staal. They know what he meant.
Girardi was like having a second goalie. How many times would he lay out for the good of the team? Some of the blocks were insane. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his teammates. It’s no wonder he became such a popular Ranger with appreciative fans, who loved the heart he played with.
It’s still hard to believe he finished his career with the Lightning. But that’s where all former Rangers seem to wind up. In Tampa at Rangers South. Ryan Callahan recently had to retire too due to injury. He was a lot like Girardi. I guess it’s just ironic. I knew this day was coming.
Staal made sure to talk further about what he admired most about his former partner. When you really think about it, that’s how it started. With 18 and 5 on the blueline. They both are warriors.
One day when Staal reaches this point in his career, Garden Faithful will feel similarly. All the criticism will go away like it did for Girardi. Deep down, these guys are revered for what they give.
The end of the old Black and Blueshirts Era is coming soon. Staal and Lundqvist are the only remaining members. Both have lasted a long time. They still have more to give. Kreider too even though I don’t think of him that way due to arriving during the Spring of 2012. He has a lot more left.
Thank you to No. 5, Dan Girardi for becoming one of my favorite players to represent this city. Enjoy your retirement.
Truth be told, it’s a young man’s world in the NHL. If you are a player completing your entry level contract, there’s a good chance that if you perform well or show promise, you’re gonna get paid.
For every Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman, there’s a Clayton Keller, Jakob Chychrun and Brady Skjei, who aren’t established stars. Their teams are basing it on potential.
That’s why I’m in agreement with Jeremy Roenick. When the Senators handed defenseman Thomas Chabot an eight year extension worth an average of $8 million, I gulped. It’s not that he won’t be worth it, but based off one good year in which his production dipped in the second half? Yikes.
Some contracts are wise investments such as the Canucks with Brock Boeser, giving him a reasonable three year contract for a $5.875 million AAV through 2022. That might be one of the best contracts if Boeser scores goals the way he can.
The best contract currently belongs to Nathan MacKinnon, who somehow is signed by the Avalanche thru 2023 for a bargain price tag of $6.3 million AAV. By the time he hits unrestricted status ‘if’ he does, MacKinnon could be a Stanley Cup winner and own a Hart and Conn Smythe. He’s that special.
In Boston, somehow Brad Marchand has a cap hit of $6.125 million through 2024. David Pastrnak is at an AAV of $6.66 million thru 2023. Patrice Bergeron gets $6.875 million on average over the next three years. Charlie McAvoy is a bargain over the next three years with an AAV of $4.9 million.
Some teams know how to do business. Others don’t. That is Roenick’s point. Should more players have to prove themselves before getting rewarded? Absolutely. Go look at the Coyotes roster and ask yourself if they should have more cap space. The answer is obvious. In another year, Keller will be on that cap for $7.1 million.
Did the Wild overpay a solid skating defenseman in Jared Spurgeon ($7.75 million AAV beginning in ’20-21)? You bet they did. Matt Dumba is better and gets $6 million on average over the next four years.
If you want your team to succeed in the cap era, they must manage their roster well. Risky contracts to unproven players can hinder you over the long haul.
Choose wisely.
In the first preseason game at MSG, the Rangers fell short in a entertaining 4-3 loss to the Hudson rival Devils. It was technically the Devils’ third game of exhibition with a split squad on Monday resulting in a home win on a overtime winner from top pick Jack Hughes, and a loss at Montreal.
Among the notables who took part for the Blueshirts were newcomers Artemi Panarin, Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba. Igor Shesterkin also saw his first action after relieving Alexandar Georgiev. Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Brady Skjei, Lias Andersson and Boo Nieves also played. So did Libor Hajek.
On the flip side, the Devils played Nico Hischier, Miles Wood, Nikita Gusev, Jesper Bratt, Brett Seney, Damon Severson, Sami Vatanen, Ty Smith, Nathan Bastian and Cory Schneider, who got the first two periods of the game.
Goal scorers included Hischier (tip in), Mikhail Maltsev, Gusev and Seney for the Devils. Panarin tallied in his Broadway debut on a wicked one-timer on the power play, but as noted in a previous post, left the game due to a mild groin strain. The other Blueshirts who scored were Micheal Haley and Lias Andersson.
It was a rough night for Skjei and Trouba. The much discussed new Rangers top pair was awful, finishing minus-three. They were bad throughout and got victimized. In particular, the third goal from Gusev was butchered by both Trouba and Skjei following a turnover. The fourth from Seney wasn’t much better. They both were caught out of position.
Hopefully, they’ll get it sorted out. Given the state of the NYR blueline, it’s imperative that Skjei and Trouba succeed. Otherwise, all bets are off.
At least Fox showed why they are so high on him. He looked poised with the puck by making several good reads. Both in his end and on the attack, Fox was smart with the puck and did a solid job.
Libor Hajek also didn’t do anything to hurt himself. At this point, he’s on the roster barring something unforeseen.
Until Tony DeAngelo wakes up and re-signs, he’s only hurting himself. It also won’t help the team, who can use the good skating, offensive defenseman as part of a revamped right side. That spot is open for now. Maybe a Yegor Rykov claims it.
For now, your top two left D are Skjei and Marc Staal. Hajek would likely be number three in the early going. We’ll see if anyone can surprise in camp.
Georgiev got the first part of the game. Due to how poor the D was, none of the three goals he allowed was his fault. Hischier scored on a nice tip after being unchecked during a sustained forecheck.
The goal from Maltsev was a complete screw up by Brendan Smith and partner Brandon Crawley, whose blind pass put Smith in a bad spot. Maltsev abused both Smith and then Georgiev for the goal of the game.
https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1174475935380324353?s=19
Filthy. A perfect Trouba pass across to Panarin got the Rangers on the board. He went high bar on Schneider with a stunned Kreider looking back at him in amazement. The power play could be fun to watch if Bread Man is ready for the start of the regular season.
The Devils responded to his goal by taking advantage of a turnover and lousy coverage from Skjei and Trouba. That resulted in key Russian import Gusev finishing for a 3-1 lead.
Some hard work from former Hurricane grinder Greg McKegg resulted in him feeding a wide open Haley for a tap in that made it 3-2. McKegg is a gritty depth forward with character, who doesn’t have much skill. But just outworks opponents. I liked the signing due to what I saw with Carolina during their run. He could be plugged in on the fourth line or an extra forward. That type of experience is never bad to have around a young roster.
Seney restored the two goal lead for New Jersey by beating Shesterkin due to more bad defense from the top pair. It’s better left unsaid.
A nice effort from the combination of Kravtsov and Boo Nieves resulted in Andersson cutting it to 4-3 on a rebound past Devils replacement Evan Cormier. I liked the move by Kravtsov to throw the puck on goal from a sharp angle. It led to a rebound with Nieves getting one chance and eventually Andersson cashing his in.
Kravtsov got some time with those two and a bit with Kreider prior to Panarin leaving. He had a breakaway on Schneider, but wasn’t quite able to beat him. He’s wearing number 74 in camp.
Trailing late, Kakko had some good pressure behind the Devils net. He tried a wrap-around on his backhand. That seems to be his go to move with his strong skating. It almost tied it. He took a stick tap from Severson and limped to the bench. I don’t think it’s too serious.
Shesterkin made one very good save through traffic on a redirect and heard some, “Igor, Igor,” chants.
One Devil who helped his cause was John Hayden. Acquired from Chicago for John Quenneville, he made a couple of nice blocks. That kind of hustle is appreciated.
That’s all for now. Cya later.
In the first preseason game for the Rangers against the Devils at MSG, Artemi Panarin debuted wearing his new number 10 jersey.
While the electrifying Russian scoring forward showed excellent chemistry with Mika Zibanejad and top pick Kaapo Kakko, by scoring a power play goal on a rocket of a one-timer past both Chris Kreider and Devils goalie Cory Schneider, it wasn’t all good news for the newest big name Blueshirt.
He missed the last few shifts of the second period. Apparently, Ranger fans won’t be seeing the Bread Man for a while. He’ll likely be out the remainder of the preseason due to a mild groin strain.
Undoubtedly, not the news you want to start with in the first preseason game. However, better off now than later. It is September 16. So, there is time for Panarin to recover. The Blueshirts are banking on it. $11.6 million is quite a investment on the former Blue Jacket.
Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go for the season opener at home versus Winnipeg.
Jack Hughes delighted the Devils fans who came out to see him at The Prudential Center. In his first preseason action, the top pick scored a goal.
Of course he did. The new face of the franchise is going to bring smiles to many who bleed red and black in Newark.
Here’s how it looked and sounded courtesy of the Devils website online broadcast as called by professional radio play by play man Matt Loughlin.
https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1173754688832978947?s=19
It was a power play goal with 2018 first round pick Ty Smith drawing the primary assist with a perfect dish across for the Hughes one-timer that tied the score against the Bruins.
https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1173758312350986240?s=19
While Hughes will certainly be on the roster as the likely number two center behind Nico Hischier, Smith is vying for a spot on the New Jersey blueline. He nearly made the roster last year after getting drafted. Smith has good potential as a puck moving defenseman with great offensive capability.
The Devils are also playing a split squad game up in Montreal. They were trailing the Canadiens 2-1 at last check. Will Butcher had the lone goal.
Although it’s been a busy summer for GM Ray Shero and the Devils, it’s been a long one for us fans. Apart from the surprise Nikita Gusev trade a few weeks back, there hasn’t been much to comment on or dissect about the team from Newark. Last weekend’s prospect challenge involving us, the Penguins, Bruins and Sabres was good for the young players involved to get more game action than even just the seven-game presesason will allow. I can’t say that I watched a minute of any of the games though. Maybe I will at some point this week since the Devils graciously posted the streams online.
Sounded like our kids did okay for the most part other than the horrendous beginning to the first game that had them down 6-0 to the Sabres last Friday before a furious rally late where they came up short 6-4, then the kids lost the second game against the Penguins the next day despite outshooting them by a wide margin before concluding with a dramatic third-game OT win against the Bruins on Monday when winger Ludwig Larsson not only scored, but also won himself a camp invite after that game. That’s pretty much the extent of what I know about last weekend, but personally I’d rather see the kids play with and against the guys they’re going to have to compete with at the NHL level, and in an actual system as opposed to just a All-Star tournament type format.
In this blog I’m only going to look at camp and the young kids looking to make their mark as opposed to a full season preview, so no comments on Taylor Hall or the extension that looks like it’s going to be a regular season decision at this point. To start with, the Devils invited 56 players to camp – none of them vet PTO’s – and most should get an opportunity this week with five games in six nights (including a split squad outing on Monday to open up the exhibition slate).
Looking at the preseason schedule it’s actually somewhat interesting in that almost all the games this week (other than the split squad road trip to Montreal) are local before next week they conclude the preseason with games at Boston and Columbus in what seems like a mini-road trip to bond the team before the season – since by then the roster should be close to pared down to the final twenty-three players, most of whom are already locked in and will just be playing games to get in shape for the regular season.
It’s hard for me admittedly to even get into the preseason proper, although unlike the NFL at least the NHL games resemble real hockey with real players making appearances, especially in the second week after the young kids usually have the run of the first week when evaluations are made. Not to mention instead of being cut outright, most of the camp fodder who doesn’t make the roster will at least be in the minor leagues and in theory a callup away. This preseason should be more interesting than most, however.
Sure part of that reason is seeing the new vet acquisitions in a Devil jersey for the first time – P. K. Subban, Wayne Simmonds and Gusev chief among them, not to mention Hall playing his first minutes since last December – but that only goes so far and ultimately all you want of the vets is to stay healthy until October. Of course that’s true year round but particularly in games that don’t count, it’s always deflating to see guys get hurt then. Even with an improved roster there is still room for kids or role players to make an impact and that’s where this preseason has some actual meaning for the Devils.
Among the kids looking to make an impact you have to start obviously with the #1 overall pick in Jack Hughes. Though he did play two games in the prospects challenge last weekend, most of the crowd who goes to the preseason games he plays will likely be watching him for the first time in a Devils jersey. While he’s all but certain to make the team, it’ll still be interesting to see how he performs with and against pro players for the first time. There might even be a Hughes-Kakko preview with the two top picks in the draft meeting up at some point during one of the two Devil-Ranger preseason games next week. If not, we should get plenty of chances to see them match up during games that count in the years ahead.
While for many fans the preseason will be in large part about getting a first look at the golden boy, the staff and diehards will be looking as much toward other potential kids that can make an impact on the 2019-20 Devils. Technically, Mackenzie Blackwood still counts as a rookie with only 23 games played last year but realistically everyone knows after a promising beginning to his career last year that he’ll be on the big club full-time this year, the only question is whether he or star-crossed goalie Cory Schneider will get the bulk of the starts. Early camp speculation has it being anywhere from a 50-32 to a 55-27 split, but as of yet it’s too early to say who will head that split.
All the other goalies in camp are playing to see who’ll man the net for Binghamton with 2017 5th rounder Gilles Senn and 2016 4th rounder Evan Cormier probably dueling to be the main man in net for the baby Devils. Senn played the last few years in Switzerland while Cormier got his feet wet in the AHL with fifteen games last season. It’s probably too early for 2018 fifth rounder Akira Schmid to go pro but he had good numbers in the USHL last year so who knows.
While our defensive lineup seems set for the most part it’ll be interesting on a couple fronts, the main one being how much will 2018 1st rounder Ty Smith play? Big things are expected after he narrowly missed making the team straight out of the draft last fall, then lit it up in the WHL with 69 points in 57 games for Spokane. Our ideal lineup probably has him in it, but the teen wonder is competing for a spot with other still-young defensemen themselves in Mirco Mueller and Connor Carrick. Carrick will certainly make the team, being signed to a two-year deal this offseason after his late-season audition at the end of last year following a trade from Dallas, but his role is a bit of a question mark at this juncture. Mueller’s role is even murkier on a one-year deal after two seasons in New Jersey full of dissapointment and untimely injuries.
Given our top five seems to be set more or less, these three are jockeying for spots #6-8 on the roster, and with the composition of the roster and all the young forwards who can be sent down to play, it’s quite possible the team keeps eight defensemen. It’s also near likely all eight will be needed at some point. Although it’s unlikely anyone else makes the team on defense it’s slightly noteworthy that Colton White and Matt Tennyson got low camp numbers (2 and 7, respectively), which if you read between the lines mean they could be among Binghamton’s top defensemen and the first callups if ones are needed. While Tennyson is a vet who’s likely just AHL depth and roster filler at this point, White was a 4th round pick in 2015, just 22 himself and coming off a season where he played well for Binghamton and even debuted with the Devils late in the season.
Up front if you count Hughes, the Devils have eleven forwards that are sure to start the season on the NHL roster barring injury. I’m not going to list them all, anyone can look at the camp roster and do the math. Which, if my calculations are correct leave exactly two forward spots (maybe three) to earn out of camp among a group of guys including 2016 third rounder Joey Anderson who made the team last year and played thirty-four games, despite sandwiching them around a gruesome leg injury that kept him out the majority of the time. Also the forward hopefuls include physical, gritty John Hayden who was acquired this offseason in a trade for one time first-rounder John Quenneville. Center Kevin Rooney could be another late bloomer in the role of Blake Coleman but with the team’s depth at center he’s likely to be a fourth-liner at most. If you were to forecast leaders in the clubhouse for spots based on uniform numbers and/or previous time spent in the NHL, Anderson, Hayden and Rooney do have numbers 14, 15, and 16 in camp.
Not that the Devils are exclusively a low-number domain anymore. 2016 second rounder Nathan Bastian looked promising in his last-season callup with three goals in seven games, while skilled but drastically undersized Brett Seney got into 51 games last year as injuries hit in the second half. However, perhaps the most promising non-Hughes youngster up front is 20-year old Jesper Boqvist, a 2018 second round pick who did well last year playing in Sweden’s pro league as a teenager with 13 goals and 35 points in 51 games. If any one of the aformentioned kids can take a spot in the top nine it’s Boqvist. Others like 2016 first-rounder Michael McLeod are also fighting for a spot but he’s still probably on the outside looking in after an unimpressive pro debut last year both in the AHL and NHL. Playmaking Brandon Gignac debuted late last year and could also compete for a spot. I’m sure still other forwards will make their presence known throughout camp as well. We’ll see how it all shapes out starting Monday.
On Thursday, NHL Training Camps opened up. That included the Devils and Rangers, who could be in similar situations entering the ’19-20 season. Both due to their offseason that included New Jersey adding Jack Hughes, P.K. Subban, Nikita Gusev and Wayne Simmonds while the Rangers added Kaapo Kakko, Artemi Panarin, Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox.
While this blog is about the Hudson Rivalry, which should be reenergized, today’s post is on what the questions are for Rangers training camp. Having missed the playoffs the past two years, it’s a new era of Rangers hockey in the metropolitan area. One full of potential thanks to young prospects such as Kakko, Fox, Vitali Kravtsov, Igor Shesterkin and Yegor Rykov.
Throw in Panarin along with Trouba and the Blueshirts will have a different look both up front and on the back end. They invested nearly $20 million on two very good players they hope will be worth their contracts over the long haul. You don’t spend that type of money on the Bread Man unless you’re sure the dynamic Russian scoring left wing can significantly help an offense that lacked big talent. That shouldn’t be a problem with Panarin and super talented number two pick Kakko, who demonstrated his unique skill at Traverse City.
A four point effort in an overtime win on Monday that included a beautiful pass to set up Kravtsov for a goal, showed off why fans are so excited for Kakko. As fun as it will be to watch Panarin work his magic on a projected top line with Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich, the future of the franchise lies with Kakko. The kind of young draft pick the Rangers have failed to produce. He has a power forward big man’s game.
New Team President John Davidson and GM Jeff Gorton were able to get Brendan Lemieux re-signed for a year where he’ll earn $925,000. Only Tony DeAngelo remains unsigned. That situation could take a bit longer. Hopefully, the key right defenseman comes to his senses and settles to fit into the cap. He can get more money next summer.
With a roster that still features veterans Henrik Lundqvist, Marc Staal, Chris Kreider and Jesper Fast, what are the realistic expectations for one of the league’s youngest teams? Obviously, the experienced players including Panarin, Zibanejad, Brady Skjei and Trouba must perform well. However, much hinges on the younger core that includes Filip Chytil, Lias Andersson, Brett Howden, Kakko, Fox, Kravtsov, Libor Hajek, Rykov, Ryan Lindgren and key backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev.
So, what are the questions that face the Rangers as training camp continues with preseason on deck?
1.How will coach David Quinn handle the unique goalie situation between Lundqvist and Georgiev with possibly Shesterkin later on? At 37, Lundqvist isn’t getting any younger. Given how well Georgiev performed in the second half of his first year, Quinn could keep Henrik’s workload light. Unless Georgiev struggles, there’s no reason to overwork him.
2.Entering the final year of his contract with unrestricted free agency next summer, how will Kreider handle a season which could be his last on Broadway? Will he survive the year, or meet a similar fate to former teammates Derek Stepan, Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello? Nobody can predict how it will play out. For now, Kreider is expected to start on the second line with Kakko and hopefully Chytil centering it.
3.How much better can the defense be with the key addition of Trouba? Let’s face it. The right side for the Blueshirts has been a nightmare since they bought out Dan Girardi. Nothing worked. Kevin Shattenkirk was so disappointing that he was bought out. He’s now with Tampa in a much better situation. Trouba is young and strong. He can log the big minutes and really help out new partner Skjei, who struggled with consistency. I don’t want to put too much pressure on Fox. The D depends on Trouba, who’s being paid to be an elite level shutdown defenseman who can contribute offensively.
4.How long will Buchnevich last on the top line before Kakko replaces him? This isn’t a knock on Buchnevich, who made considerable strides under Quinn in the second half. It’s more about how good Kakko can be. If he can perform to expectation, it’ll probably make sense to move him up on a big line with Zibanejad and Panarin. Buchnevich has played with Kreider before and had chemistry. If he does get moved down, how will he react?
5.How much can the Bread Man improve the team at five-on-five? The past couple of years, the Rangers have struggled mightily at even strength. Constantly pinned in their end due to not having a strong puck possession roster, that can change. It’s not the power play where Panarin did most of his damage. It’s five-on-five. Of the 116 career goals he’s scored, 86 have come at even strength. He’ll also help the Blueshirts during three-on-three in overtime and shootouts. Those extra points could make a difference if they’re in playoff contention.
6.When can we see Kravtsov? The gifted Russian forward has undeniable skills that can accelerate the rebuild. While all the hoopla surrounds Panarin and Kakko, the 2018 first round pick looks like the real deal. He could play his way into the conversation. I expect him to start in Hartford. Then get the call. But it largely depends on the next two weeks.
7.How important are versatile forwards Vladislav Namestnikov, Ryan Strome and Fast? They don’t have the pizazz of Panarin, Kakko, or capability of Buchnevich and Kreider. However, the secondary veterans are solid players who can fill important roles. Namestnikov is a checking line type who can use his speed and tenacity to be effective on the forecheck and penalty kill. The do everything Fast is similar in how he will hustle to outwork opponents. Strome is versatile enough to fill in at center if needed. Quinn would prefer to play him on right wing. If he can bring the same level as last year, he’ll be an asset who could get moved. Frankly, with both Namestnikov and Fast in their final years, they also could be traded.
8.How much can Chytil, Howden and Andersson improve in Year Two? All three are former first round picks, who played their first pro seasons. Both Chytil and Howden got into more games than Andersson, who’s viewed more as a two-way center. He’ll need to take big step this year while both Chytil and Howden are expected to be more consistent. Quinn would prefer for Chytil to become the second center. A big responsibility. We’ll see how all three progress.
9.Is there any role for Brendan Smith? As much as a good soldier as he was, even playing forward on the fourth line, the veteran left defenseman seems to be the odd man out due to his contract. Paying an average of $4.35 million for both this season and next makes no sense. He’ll probably get shuttled back and forth from Hartford. It will depend on unproven kids like Hajek, Rykov and possibly Lindgren, who I like more than other fan blogs.
10.When do we see Shesterkin? Hopefully, not at all. That’s if things go well between the tandem of Lundqvist and Georgiev, who have a good relationship. Hank’s a team guy and leader. You root for him to come back and be better. Georgie has a great personality. Let Shesterkin develop and adjust to the North American rink. If he proves ready and there’s a need, fine. They don’t have to rush him. He should split duty with Adam Huska in Hartford.
That’s all for now. We’ll have more soon.
Even without top pick Kaapo Kakko, who remained out due to sickness, the Rangers had to be pleased with the play of their prospects in Traverse City. Following a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Blue Jackets on Friday, they responded well with a 7-4 win over the Stars last night.
Adam Fox led the way with five points including two goals. A strong showing for the 21-year old defenseman the Rangers traded for and signed. He’s been wearing number 23 for the team they sent to the prospect tournament that concludes next week.
I am not going to put a lot of stock in how the young kids perform. Of course, it’s always positive when a few of the key players the team is high on do well. However, we won’t really know until training camp and preseason how NHL ready they are. I’ll leave it at that.
Vitali Kravtsov scored on the power play. The 2018 first round pick seems to be a fun player on and off the ice. Something he displayed prior to the first game. At the end of the interview, when asked whose English is better, his or Kaapo, Kravtsov gave a funny answer.
Karl Henriksson was the first Ranger to get on the board to tie the score in the first period. It was a nice reply to Stars prospect Jason Robertson with Henriksson tipping in a Fox shot for his goal. He centered the first line of Kravtsov and Harvard grad Lewis Zerter-Gossage.
Russian defenseman Yegor Rykov also tallied his first of the tournament. It was a good wrist shot from the circle with Henriksson screening in front. That looks like the type of player Henriksson is. A hard working Swede who outworks opponents to get into the right spot.
The Rangers at one point had a 3-1 lead, but Dallas responded quickly with a pair to knot it up. Consecutive goals from Matthew Robertson and Fox restored a two goal lead. They earned the victory by putting it away in the third.
Sunday is an off day which is convenient for every big football fan. The real NFL season officially kicks off with the area locals both in action. The best part is both play in the afternoon. What a damn concept. The Jets host the Bills at 1 and the Giants visit the Cowboys later. Do they ever not play them in Week One?
I will also have a close eye on the men’s final at the US Open between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev. So, there’s plenty to watch.
As for Igor Shesterkin, he’s still adjusting. He didn’t have a good showing in the opening game. Adam Huska got the start in the second game.
Here’s Adam Fox discussing the victory after going 2-3-5.
Updating the Devils, they lost on Friday to the Sabres 6-4. Number one pick Jack Hughes scored though. Here’s how it looked.
https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1170134450610606080?s=19
Hughes also discussed the game afterwards. He is gonna be a delight for the Jersey side of the Rivalry.
https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1170161594887749632?s=19
In the Prospects Challenge yesterday, the Devils lost to the Penguins 2-1. Graeme Clarke got the lone tally. Hughes sat out.
https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1170426994305241089?s=19
That’s all for the prospects until Monday. I’ll have other NHL stuff later.
hasan4978
Derek
Battle Of Hudson 
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