Sorting through the training camp battles, or lack thereof

Stalberg (Photo: NHL.com)

As training camp is set to open this week, all eyes will turn to the roster and which kids could potentially steal a roster spot. The biggest battle will be for the last two roster spots, in which the Rangers realistically have four players competing for those spots. But beyond those that make the roster, there are spots to be won up and down the lineup from those expected to make the club. We’ve seen the discussion here, as folks are penciling in their lines already.

Let’s assume, for the time being, that Alain Vigneault isn’t going to make any changes to his top-six. The lines of Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello and Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-J.T. Miller performed very well in the short period they were together, and there’s no reason to break up those lines. All six are very talented, and they seemed to have chemistry together.

The real discussion begins with the third line, of which only Kevin Hayes is cemented as either center or wing (again, assuming AV doesn’t make any changes to the top six). Without getting too deep into the Hayes discussion, since Kevin covered that already, let’s go with Hayes staying at center this season. Why, you ask? It’s what I think will happen, plain and simple.

Let’s also assume that the Dominic Moore-Jesper Fast duo will be the backbone of a fourth line that should hopefully get the majority of the defensive zone starts. With just three players set for the bottom six, there are going to be battles for both wings on the third line, left wing on the fourth line, and the 13th forward. The players vying for those spots: Viktor Stalberg, Emerson Etem, Tanner Glass, Oscar Lindberg, Ryan Bourque, Jarret Stoll.

I highly doubt the Rangers for Etem, dealing Carl Hagelin in the process, just to have him sit on the bench or sit in a defensive role. It’s a fair assumption that he will get a top-nine role. Let’s pencil him in for the 3RW spot, but a strong camp –or a weak one from Miller– could see him in the top-six. Yes, he’s that talented.

It also makes logical sense that Lindberg, Stalberg, and Glass will make the roster, sending Bourque and Stoll to the minors. If we are lucky, Stoll will make the lineup over Glass, but that’s still the 13F. All of them will be tested, but just looking at the way Vigneault constructs his rosters, this is the most likely outcome.

*-Worth noting that AV is notorious for tinkering with his lineups throughout the month of October, slotting players in the lineup to get better looks. He did this with Ryan Malone and Chris Mueller last year, and will likely do this with Stoll, Glass, Stalberg, and Lindberg this year.

Stalberg and Lindberg can play in a third line role getting offensive zone starts, or a fourth line role getting defensive zone starts. Lindberg has the flexibility to play wing or center as well, although he’s much stronger at center.

In the end, I think we see a third line of Stalberg-Hayes-Etem and a fourth line of Moore-Lindberg-Fast. It gives the Rangers balance up and down the lineup, and it gives them a fourth line that can get hammered with defensive zone starts and still shut down the opposition.

As for defense, there’s only really one question: Will Dylan McIlrath make the team? If so, where does he slot in? And whose spot will he take?