Training camp opened today for the Rangers. One major item for discussion was what would be the lines to start camp. That question was answered by Gerard Gallant, though not necessarily to the satisfaction of many of us. Other topics were broached and responses provided, several of which I have noted below.
Gallant press conference:
Lines to start camp. Gallant was very clear in noting these are the lines for the first three days of camp. So while we can all rant and rave and rail, these combinations are solely to start camp, then they will be shuffled when preseason games begin. In addition, Barclay Goodrow, recovering from his left broken ankle, will be eased in and not scrimmage Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
All that said, I am not sure Sammy Blais - who is 100% after undergoing ACL surgery - is the best option for the right side. Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider have tremendous chemistry with a high-skill level. Blais could be the physical ballast on that line, but I would prefer to see a playmaker there who could make that duo even more dangerous.
Vincent Trocheck paired with Artemi Panarin is no surprise, as this was the expectation. In addition, look for Trocheck to likely replace Ryan Strome on the first power play, though that is less certain. The "mild" twist is Vitali Kravtsov getting the first chance to be the right winger on that line. The slate with Kravtsov clearly has been wiped clean and as Gallant said, ""There's a big opportunity, but nothing is going to be handed to you. You have to take it." Kravtsov is highly skilled and now he gets a major chance to show he deserves to stick in the top-nine.
With the above configurations, the Kid Line is reunited. Alexis Lafreniere stays at left wing - at least initially - rather than sliding to the right side. Filip Chytil gets two wingers who can score and create. Kakko Kappo, a healthy scratch in Game 6 against Tampa, ends up back with his former linemates rather than moving up to the first or second line. Left unanswered and to be determined is will this group get more than just 12-13 minutes of ice time nightly?
The fourth line will be determined in camp. No one has been deemed the "favorite" to earn a spot, though if Goodrow is not in the top-nine, he clearly slots in here, likely at left wing. How Reaves, Carpenter, Rydahl, Hunt and Vesey play will decide who earns the other two spots and which one of the group remains as the extra skater.
Just to get the #NYR season really started, here are the three lines it sounds like we can expect to see at first:
The top-five on defense are set. As Gallant said, the sixth d-man or third pair, left-handed complement to Braden Schneider, remains to be decided. My guess is that Zac Jones is the favorite with Matthew Robertson right there followed by Libor Hajek and Mark Batkowski, who was signed to a PTO last week.
Who will play on the bottom D pair?
GG: "I don't know. Training camp will decide that. Schneider is going to be there. You know that. The top five is there, and then there’s a fight for that spot."#NYR
To repeat some schedule info. I am out of pocket this Sunday night to Tuesday night for Rosh Hashana. The following week, it's Tuesday late-afternoon to Wednesday evening. Then, the two subsequent weeks, I will be unavailable Sunday night to Tuesday night for the remainder of the Jewish holidays. This info will be posted at the bottom of almost every blog over the next weeks so that everyone remains in the loop.
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