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Credit: Frank Becerra⁢ Jr. / ⁣The⁢ Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK

While ‌it ⁤may still feel like summer in New York, the hockey season is already underway. The New York Rangers will kick off their training camp on​ Wednesday with⁤ player ‍physicals and testing,‍ followed by their first ice session on Thursday.

A total of 63 players are attending ‍the camp, which ‌includes 36 forwards,‌ 21 defensemen, and six goalies. However, it’s‌ important to note ⁣that there are limited spots available on the NHL roster. If the Rangers ‍opt to start the season with ⁣22 players,⁣ it seems ​that 11 out‍ of 13 forward positions, six out of seven defenseman slots, and ​both goalie roles are ​likely already secured.

This⁢ situation‍ stems largely from the Rangers’ impressive ‍55-win season, which earned them the Presidents’ Trophy. There is little incentive for a roster overhaul, especially given that many key⁢ players are bound by long-term contracts.

Additionally, general manager Chris Drury faced significant‍ constraints under the salary cap this summer. He attempted to create some financial room by placing veteran forward Barclay Goodrow on waivers but was unable to ⁢trade captain ⁣Jacob Trouba, who carries an ⁣$8 million ⁤cap hit for the next two seasons.

New additions to the‌ Rangers lineup‍ include‍ forwards Reilly‍ Smith and Sam Carrick. Veteran Adam Erne, also a forward, along with defenseman​ Madison Bowey, are participating ‌in the camp on professional tryouts (PTOs).

Several players are no longer ‍part⁣ of the organization.

are Goodrow, defenseman Erik Gustafsson, and forwards Alex Wennberg, Blake Wheeler, and Jack Roslovic.

Related: Rangers contingency ‌plan if this misfortune strikes again

Rangers have few battles for roster spots​ at⁤ this training camp

Brennan ‌Othmann ⁤– photo courtesy‍ of Hartford Wolf Pack

This training camp is crucial, particularly for‌ towering forwards Matt Rempe (6-foot-8) and Adam Edstrom (6-foot-7). These giants⁢ are expected to compete for one of the‌ last forward positions,⁢ alongside Jonny Brodzinski.

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Rempe is currently ⁢favored ⁢to secure‍ a role on the fourth line. However, he will face competition⁣ from​ Edstrom, who impressed in 11 games with the Rangers last season and netted three goals in two rookie games against ⁣the Philadelphia ‍Flyers⁢ over the weekend.

On the defensive end, Zac Jones ​appears to have a solid ⁢opportunity for the ‍open spot on​ the third pairing. Veteran Chad Ruhwedel will ⁢need to fend off Ben⁢ Harpur, Connor Mackey, Matthew Robertson, ⁤and others to earn the extra ‌defenseman⁤ role on the opening-night‌ roster.

It will be fascinating⁢ to observe how long rookie forward Brennan Othmann‌ remains‌ in camp. The 21-year-old‌ scored 21 goals with Hartford in the American⁢ Hockey League⁢ last season and might receive some opportunities on ⁢the top ⁣line alongside ‍Mika Zibanejad and ⁢Chris Kreider⁣ during the ⁣preseason.

For ⁣Othmann, making an ‍impression on Rangers management and coaches will be essential⁤ to secure a roster spot out of camp — the likely scenario is that ​Reilly Smith begins as RW1 — but the 2021 first-round draft pick is certainly one to watch.

Rangers coach ⁤Peter Laviolette ‌will address the media on ‍Wednesday, and Forever Blueshirts will provide full⁤ coverage of his press availability.

Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts

and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, possessing over 30 years of experience… Learn more about Jim Cerny

Referenced in this article: Adam Edstrom,⁣ Brennan Othmann, Matt Rempe, Reilly ⁢Smith, Sam ⁤Carrick, Training Camp

Additional Information: New York Rangers News

New York Rangers Training Camp Preview: Limited Roster‌ Battles Amidst Strong Core

Overview of the New ​York Rangers’ Strengths

The ‍New York Rangers enter the upcoming training camp⁣ with a strong core⁤ of talent ⁣that has proven itself on the ice. Led by ⁤star players like Artemi ⁣Panarin, who recently reached a significant milestone‍ of 500 career assists and has‌ been a​ consistent point producer for three consecutive seasons, the team is ​poised for another ‌competitive year. This strong‌ foundation minimizes the number of roster battles, ⁣allowing the coaching staff to focus ⁤on refining strategies and building chemistry among the existing players.

Key Players to Watch

• Artemi Panarin: With‍ 93 points last‍ season, Panarin’s playmaking ability will be crucial as the Rangers look ‌to maintain their offensive ⁣prowess.
• Adam Fox: The reigning Norris Trophy winner continues to be​ a pivotal⁣ figure on ​the blue⁢ line, ⁤contributing both defensively and offensively.
• Igor⁢ Shesterkin: As the team’s starting goaltender, Shesterkin’s performance​ will​ be critical to the Rangers’ success‍ in the upcoming season.

Projected Roster Composition

With a strong group of returning players, the Rangers’ projected roster for the upcoming​ season looks solid.‍ Below is a breakdown of potential line combinations⁢ and defense pairings:

Limited Roster Battles

Unlike many teams​ entering training camp, the‌ Rangers face limited roster battles this year. ​The core ‌players are well-established, which means that most positions are likely set.⁣ However, there⁣ are a few areas where competition could ‌arise:

Forward Depth

The depth at ‍forward ⁣is ​one area ⁤where‌ young prospects may vie‌ for a spot. Players like Vitali Kravtsov and Will Cuylle will be looking to make an‍ impression during training camp. Their performance could⁢ determine if they earn​ a place ​in the lineup or are sent down to the AHL for further development.

Defensive Pairings

While the ​top ​defensive⁢ pairings are mostly secure, the third pairing⁤ could⁢ see some ⁤competition. With⁤ the addition of new talent and​ the development of younger players, there might be a few contenders for ​the final defensive spots. The ⁢Rangers will likely evaluate all defensive prospects closely.

Coaching Strategy and ‍Goals

Head Coach Peter Laviolette has emphasized ‌the ⁤importance of ‍maintaining a strong team dynamic while integrating any new‍ players. This training camp ‌will focus ​on:

• **Building Chemistry:** Ensuring that forwards and⁣ defensemen can work seamlessly​ together.
• **Strengthening Defensive Play:** ⁢With a high-scoring offense,⁣ the Rangers need to solidify their defensive strategies.
• **Special Teams Work:** ⁢Improving power ⁣play and penalty kill units will be a top priority during camp.

Benefits of a Stable⁢ Roster

A ‍stable roster brings numerous advantages:

• Consistency: Familiarity among players leads to improved communication and‍ teamwork.
• Time Efficiency: Coaches can spend more⁤ time on strategic development rather than teaching fundamentals to new players.
• Player Development: Existing players can focus on‍ refining their skills in a familiar environment.

Conclusion

As the ‍New York Rangers prepare for training camp, the focus ‌will⁤ be on maintaining their strong⁢ core ​while⁢ evaluating any emerging talent. With⁤ limited roster‌ battles, the ⁢coaching staff ⁢will concentrate on building a cohesive unit ready ‌to contend for the Stanley Cup.