Coach Gerard Gallant deployed a new first line right winger at practice today causing Rangers' twitter to spin off his axis. Those who are more measured recognize that this change is not set in stone but there are some ramifications to this move. See below for more information.

New twist for today’s #NYR practice:

Kreider - Zib - Vesey

Panarin - Trocheck - Kravtsov

Laf - Chytil - Kakko

Then groups of 4:

Blais - Goodrow - Rydahl - Gauthier

Hunt - Carpenter - Brodzinski - Reaves

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) October 4, 2022

Jimmy Vesey, who is having a brilliant camp, landed next to Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. This does not mean he is opening the season with that duo. What it does signify is that Gallant is not wedded to any of the other options that have been trotted out there to date. As a reminder, the Rangers have now tried four different players in that top-line RW spot during camp − Vesey, Sammy Blais, Barclay Goodrow and Kaapo Kakko.

The change also indicates that Vesey is to me nearly a lock to break camp with the parent club, barring something radical happening. What line he slots into is up in the air. But, I am also not going to completely discount Vesey as a possible first line option, even though he would not be my primary choice for the spot.

One other note, which was covered by me in the blog this weekend and mentioned today by Vince Mercoglianio, is that Gustav Rydahl continues to impress in camp. Working against Rydahl is the fact he is waivers exempt, which may impact his chances of making the team out of camp. Sending him to AHL Hartford would come with no risk of losing him and spare exposing others, such as Ryan Carpenter, who is battling Rydahl for the fourth line center spot, to the waiver wire. New York has eight possible players for what looks to be 4-5 spots. While I hope that talent wins out, roster flexibility and the ability to retain and not lose players, likely will be a determining factor.

As a reminder, I am out of pocket this 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 few weeks so that everyone remains in the loop.

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