The Rangers closed out the preseason with a 4-2 loss to the Islanders on Saturday in Bridgeport. Vlad Namestnikov notched his first of the preseason while Tony DeAngelo matched Nam later in the contest. A late goal by Mathew Barzal proved to be the difference maker. New York faces Winnipeg at home Thursday to open the 2019-20 season.
Lineup tonight:
Here are the players here for the NY Rangers tonight. A little surprised about Panarin, but he did only play in two prior preseason games. Quinn said Georgiev will play the entire game. #NYR pic.twitter.com/Sl9YYRA1fi
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) September 28, 2019
1) The above lineup had lots of names on the bubble. A bit surprised Artemi Panarin played but maybe he needed the work after missing a bit of time with his groin injury. David Quinn rightfully sat the top-six forwards, Jacob Trouba and Henrik Lundqvist.
2) Lias Andersson continued his strong preseason, tallying an assist on Nametnikov's goal. Andersson should open the season as the team's third line center. The weight loss, added strength and speed are all very evident. Namestnikov had a decent preseason and could be a winger opposite Andersson to open the season.
Just missed it 😡 😡 pic.twitter.com/hKuLs32jTQ
— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) September 28, 2019
3) Tony DeAngelo needed the work and was good again. His good was a great read of the play and showed his talent. We know what he can do offensively, if he continues to make strides in his own end, ADA should be in the top-four.
Good to have you back @TonyDee07 😠@NYRangers | #LGR pic.twitter.com/OiXL4beNu8
— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) September 29, 2019
4) Filip Chytil didn't do much to help his chances of breaking camp. As I wrote the other day, he could be the off-man out. As was written elsewhere. with just three games in 14 days to open the year, New York could mix and match who is on the roster daily to try and maximize cap space. In addition, we could see some of the kids receive ice time at Hartford rather than in New York early on, Chytil could be one of the roster casualties.
5) From those who played today, Michael Haley and Vinni Lettieri will open the season at Hartford. Joe Morrow is a long shot to earn a spot off his PTO. Ryan Lindgren is fighting an uphill battle as is Boo Nieves. Greg McKegg may have done enough to slide onto the fourth, though his status may be dependent on what New York does with Chytil.
6) Vitali Kravtsov was shaken up late in a collision with Casey Cizikas. Hopefully, he is okay and early indications are this is the case. His roster spot is somewhat tenuous, partially dependent on line placement. If the third line is to be Brendan Lemieux, who was his agitative self again tonight, Andersson and Nam or even Jesper Fast, playing Kravtsov on the fourth line makes little sense, since that fails to make best use of his talent. But if he lines up opposite Andersson, who could end up as the 2c if his rise continues, then having Kravtsov on the team Opening Night would be the wise call.
Oh yikes, Cizikas and Kravtsov both hurting. pic.twitter.com/j6nQCIHRC3
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) September 29, 2019
Kravtsov seemed OK from afar in the hallway, but he wasn't in the locker room to ask.
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) September 29, 2019
DQ said: "I haven’t had a chance to look or talk to our trainer or him about what happened, but he seems to be OK from what I’m hearing."#NYR
Roster Projections:
Forwards: The top two lines appear set with Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich on the first trio and Chris Kreider, Ryan Strome and Kaapo Kakko as the second line. After that, Andersson appears to be a lock to make the team, the same for Namestnikov, Lemieux and Fast. That leaves two spots in the lineup and likely one additional as an extra forward. One of those spots is likely to go to Brett Howden, as the fourth line center. I project McKegg to earn one spot and Kravtsov the other, meaning that Chytil and Nieves begin the year in the minors.
Defensemen: The blue line is likely Skjei-Trouba, Marc Staal-ADA, Libor Hajek-Adam Fox. I project Hajek and Fox open the season as the third pairing. If Hajek doesn't get it, Ryan Lindgren, who has played better and better as the preseason wore on and has a mean streak, will get the role. Hajek looked to be a lock but Lindgren really came on late and brings a lunch pail type presence that fits in nicely with what Quinn likes to see. Whoever loses that battle probably opens the season in Hartford so that he receives consistent playing time rather than sporadic ice time in New York. The seventh d-man, due to his flexibility to play F and D, could well be Brendan Smith unless Quinn decides to carry Morrow and have Smith serve as a mentor for the kids in the minors.
Goalies: Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev are the two netminders to open the season with Igor Shesterkin in Hartford.
Roster cuts are expected sometime Monday. If anything breaks Sunday by late-afternoon, I will post a new blog or update this one. As a reminder, I am out from Sunday-Tuesday night due to Rosh Hashana. Next week, I am off the grid Tuesday late-afternoon to Wednesday night for Yom Kippuer. The following two weeks, I am incommunicado from Sunday night to Tuesday night. Just wanted to make sure this way out there for all.