The Rangers play their next to last preseason game tonight at home against the Islanders and finish up tomorrow in Philly. Following the contest against the Flyers, New York plan to get down to the 23-man roster limit in preparation for Opening Night, October 4 versus Nashville. Coach David Quinn and his staff will have some difficult decisions, many of which likely have already been made, but some that might be decided on these last two games.
Up front, locks appears to Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Pavel Buchnevich, Kevin Hayes, Ryan Spooner, Mats Zuccarello and Jesper Fast. All but locks, though not necessarily guaranteed to be in the lineup nightly, at least based on their preseason performance, are Jimmy Vesey and Vladislav Namestnikov. Two rookies that should make the Opening Night roster and be on the ice versus the Predators and moving forward are Filip Chytil and Lias Andersson.
That above paragraph has 11 listed. If New York goes with 13 forwards, that leaves two spots. It’s possible that coach Quinn goes with 14 forwards, meaning only seven d-men, but it’s more likely that we see a 13-8-2 breakdown out of training camp. On the bubble are Vinni Lettieri, Matt Beleskey, Cody McLeod, Peter Holland, Michael Lindqvist, Ville Meskanen and Brett Howden.
Based on what we have seen to date, I definitely think Lindqvist and Meskanen open the season at Hartford. Both need to get better acclimated to playing in the US and neither has impressed enough to force one of the others listed to lose a spot. Howden has gotten better and better as camp has worn on. If anyone could force his way onto the team with a strong performance, it’s Howden. But I also think he too opens the year in the AHL. Holland has looked good to date but I think he gets caught in a numbers game. The roster crunch is what likely costs Holland a spot.
From the aforementioned list, Lettieri, Beleskey and McLeod may be fighting for two spots. Yes, fighting is word I used consciously knowing what two of the three bring to the table. Lettieri has brought a physical presence to the lineup along with more of an ability to score than the other two. Right now, I have him as a favorite. Beleskey’s strong start and solid enough play might be obviated by the shoulder injury he suffered in a fight Monday. If that injury is expected to longer a bit, New York could put him on IR to open the season. The presence of McLeod, who has a history with Quinn and whose response in Saturday and Monday nights’ games following the sharp words by Quinn last night likely will earn him the other spot. Beleskey would go down, but I believe he would require waivers. With Boston picking up half his salary and at just a $1.9 million cap hit, I could see him getting claimed, but that might be a risk New York takes.
For all the ‘consternation’ as to the lack of youth in the lineup. Chytil and Andersson should see major minutes. I would expect Howden sometime during the season, likely after the calendar hits 2019. If Vitali Kravtsov comes over after the KHL season, look for him to contend for a spot next year. Add in Buchnevich, and at a minimum, one-quarter of the lineup is young.
On the blue line, as I wrote the other day, I expect the first seven to be Brady Skjei, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brendan Smith, Neal Pionk, Marc Staal, Adam McQuaid and Tony DeAngelo. Smith is not a lock but he has earned the spot, rebounding from the debacle that was 2017-18. The possibility still exists that New York tries to pass him through waivers to send him down based on the view that his remaining contract might be a deterrent, but I do expect him to open the season in New York. ADA has had a solid camp and the need to pass him through waivers helps his case to break camp with the team. McQuaid brings some additional toughness. His spot seems secure and having McQuaid could result in some tweaks up front, though I don’t expect that to be the case. If New York goes with eight d-men, Fredrik Claesson, based on his low cap hit and having to pass through waivers to go down, likely gets that spot.
I am looking forward to seeing what a healthy Shattenkirk can do. In addition, an expected rebound from Skjei is also a focus of mine this season. Plus, what we saw last year from Pionk refined in Quinn’s zone defensive system should result in another step forward for the young blueliner.
In terms of the rebuild, let the young blueliners mature in the minors. Included in that list are Libor Hajek, Ryan Lindgren, Brandon Crawley as well as John Gilmour. Add in K’Andre Miller and Nils Lundkvist to the list and the Rangers have a nice crop for the future. Rushing the young blueliners up right now makes little sense, given who is in camp. Those changes can be made during the season, which could result in buyouts or trades if the kids are ready for a roll and one doesn’t exist. As of now, to me, they aren’t yet ready to play at this level.
In net, the battle is between Alexandar Georgiev and Marek Mazanec. One factor has to be when the expansion draft will be, as that might drive if Georgiev would have to be protected. In addition, the decision more likely will come down to would Georgiev be better served to acting as the #1 netminder at Hartford or backup in New York. My answer vacillates based on the day but if putting a percentage on it, I say it’s 55-45 he opens the season in New York.