The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-3 Saturday on the strength of two goals scored by both Derek Stepan and Raphael Diaz. For Diaz, it likely gave him a stay of execution, as you will see below that he was not once of those cut Saturday night. In Stepan's case, his trio of Kreider-Stepan-Miller is likely to start the season together.
This is who New York dressed Saturday night.
Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, JT Miller Kevin Hayes, Oscar Lindberg, Jesper Fast Luke Adam, Dominic Moore, Viktor Stalberg Tanner Glass, Jayson Megna, Emerson Etem
Mat Bodie, Raphael Diaz, Dan Girardi, Dylan McIlrath, Marc Staal, Chris Summers
Henrik Lundqvist (starting), Antti Raanta
Following the contest, the Blueshirts assigned Luke Adam, Mat Bodie, Ryan Bourque, Brian Gibbons, Ryan Graves, Magnus Hellberg, Brady Skjei, and Chris Summers to Training Camp for the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Bodie struggled against NJ, sealing his fate, while Hellberg lost out to Antti Raanta for the backup goalie spot behind Henrik Lundqvist. To me, the two best stories of camp were Graves and Skjei. Graves really showed he belonged and can play at this level while Skjei is close to being ready and likely will be up before too long.
Following the cuts,the Rangers have 25 players remaining in Training Camp. The roster breakdown is listed below:
Forwards (15): Derick Brassard, Emerson Etem, Jesper Fast, Tanner Glass, Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, Oscar Lindberg, Jayson Megna, J.T. Miller, Dominic Moore, Rick Nash, Viktor Stalberg, Derek Stepan, Jarret Stoll, Mats Zuccarello
Defensemen (8): Dan Boyle, Raphael Diaz, Dan Girardi, Kevin Klein, Ryan McDonagh, Dylan McIlrath, Marc Staal, Keith Yandle
Goaltenders (2): Henrik Lundqvist, Antti Raanta
Up front, it looks like a battle for one spot between Etem, Glass and Megna. Because Etem needs to go through waivers to be sent down, that could save him. It would be a huge admission of a mistake for GM Jeff Gorton to expose Etem to waivers, where he likely would be claimed. Because of that, I expect Etem to remain, but exposing him to waivers would clearly be a sign to all that no space is space.
I discussed Glass in the last blog and sending him down, despite the cap hit, would be the wisest option. Megna did open some eyes and would be the 14th forward if they go that route. If considering Etem and Megna, take the one with the higher potential upside.
On defense, it comes down to Diaz or McIlrath for one spot. If AV can keep eight blueliners, then keep both. If not, because McIlrath has to go through waivers and would be claimed, keep him. McIlrath has actually been steadier than I thought he would be. Less upside than Diaz offensively, but he gives the team a physical presence they could need, especially if Glass if sent down. I am unsure if time in the minors would really aid him that much more, so what we see is likely what we will get and maybe he will learn more surrounded by the top-six. In addition, cap concerns have to play a factor, with Glass making the most money, putting him firmly at risk.
As a heads up, I am out of the box Monday-Tuesday for the next Jewish Holiday, back online Wednesday. I know this is a hockey blog, so forgive me, but the NY Mets are the 2015 NL East Division Champions. :)