Archive for Preseason
Preseason Game 5: Rangers at (sort of) Isles
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AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
The roster is beginning to take shape for the Rangers, as they are left with 36 players in camp. Tonight likely represents the last chance for some bubble players to make a positive impression on the coaching staff. It’s also likely the last game for players destined to go to the AHL who earned longer looks, like Robin Kovacs.
The Isles are dressing most of their NHL forwards tonight, so expect a decent amount of pressure on the Rangers defense. This could be the game where we see how well Adam Clendening can perform against NHL regulars, and if he truly belongs in the top-six. Only time will tell.
If you need a recap of what type of hockey Alain Vigneault has the Rangers playing, catch up here.
Rangers trim roster by three more; Four total need to clear waivers
Posted by: | CommentsThe Rangers have cut defensemen Mat Bodie and Chris Summers, trimming the roster to 37 players. Bodie and Summers will need to clear waivers. Chris Brown and Tommy Hughes, cut yesterday, will also need to clear waivers.
Maxim Lapierre has been released from his PTO.
Lines for tonight’s preseason game
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Photo by Jenn Pierce/NHLI via Getty Images
The Rangers have released their lineup for tonight against the Islanders:
J.T. Miller-Kevin Hayes-Niklas Jensen
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Brandon Pirri
Michael Grabner-Nathan Gerbe-Jesper Fast
Tanner Glass-Marek Hrivik-Robin Kovacs
Marc Staal-Kevin Klein
Brady Skjei-Adam Clendening
John Gilmour-Dylan McIlrath
It’s interesting to see Jensen with both Miller and Hayes. It appears that Alain Vigneault wants to give him a shot in what could be a third line role, to see how he performs. My guess is that tonight is make-or-break for him though.
Flyers down Rangers in OT after Blueshirts erase 3-0 deficit
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For a preseason game, last night’s OT loss to the Flyers had a little bit of everything that encompasses Rangers/Flyers. It had physical play, it had dirty play, it had good defense, it had scoring bursts, and it left a seed for the regular season. The Rangers may have lost, but they erased a 3-0 lead in the third period to get “a point” in the preseason standings. It may not seem like much, but showing the guys to come back like that means a lot for the kids and playing the right way.
- First things first, that hit by Radko Gudas on Jimmy Vesey was nasty. That’s the type of hit the league is trying to get rid of, and I guarantee that Gudas won’t be suspended because Vesey turned. But here’s the thing, the hockey play there is to stop, turn, and gain some space. The turn is the hockey play, getting creamed from behind is not. Here’s a link to multiple angles of the hit.
- Credit to Dylan McIlrath for jumping in and literally dragging Gudas out to fight. He wound up taking on Jakub Voracek as well, who did not get penalized for third man in. I have never seen that penalty called in my life. Not once.
- Don’t know why Vesey was back. It’s the preseason, feel like it makes sense to take caution with your offseason prize. But what do I know?
Rangers trim eight players from roster
Posted by: | CommentsThe Rangers have trimmed the roster by eight players from the training camp roster: Calle Andersson, Chris Brown, Steven Fogarty, Ryan Gropp, Tommy Hughes, Philip McRae, Michael Paliotta, and Adam Tambellini.
This comes as no surprise, as these are all players that were destined for Hartford from the get-go. If anything, the surprise is that 39 players still remain in camp with just two games left in the preseason. I’d expect a significant amount of players to be cut after tomorrow night’s game. There aren’t many “gimme” cuts left either. Things are starting to get interesting.
Preseason Game 4: Rangers at Flyers
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Photo: AP
After being handed their first preseason loss, the Rangers are in Philadelphia tonight with a roster that is getting closer to what it might look like on opening night. There are two potential opening night lines and a potential defense pairing dressing tonight. And yes, that defense pairing has Clendening with McDoangh. Raise your hand if you saw that coming.
Put your hand down, you’re lying.
Tonight is also the first preseason game for Henrik Lundqvist, and perhaps the final one for Mackenzie Skapski. AV has said there will be cuts after tonight’s game.
If you need a recap of what type of hockey Alain Vigneault has the Rangers playing, catch up here.
Some mid-preseason roster predictions
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Bruce Bennet/Getty Images
We have seen three preseason games for the Rangers, and they are a relatively impressive 2-1 so far. There have been surprises, some pleasant and others not so much. With back-to-back games coming up, and with an expected roster cut after tonight’s game, we are at the point where we can read into some of Alain Vigneault’s decisions, which helps in making educated predictions.
- Starting with a bombshell on the blue line, I think Brady Skjei is cut from the team. This mostly has to do with AV’s comments, saying “Brady to a certain extent would be a work in progress but Brady is a young player going through the process. He was a little bit better than he was in the first game but I still think there needs to be improvement there also.” That, to me, means Skjei starts in the AHL.
- Nick Holden, just based on the acquisition cost and salary, is likely making the team. His role, however, will be dictated by how well Adam Clendening plays as the competition in the preseason gets stiffer. He’s been good, but it hasn’t been against NHL regulars yet. If he continues to impress, I think Holden winds up rotating with Dylan McIlrath as the 7D, based on matchups.
Sean Day returned to OHL; Lines for Flyers game released
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Clendening (Photo: Rangers)
The Rangers have returned defenseman Sean Day to the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL, making him the latest cut from the training camp roster. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as Day was never making the team this year. However the surprising part is that he wasn’t a part of the first round of CHL cuts. Guessing the Rangers wanted a longer look at him before returning him to the OHL.
Also the lines for tomorrow have been released, and they are interesting, to say the least.
Jimmy Vesey-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash
Brandon Pirri-Kevin Hayes-Pavel Buchnevich
J.T. Miller-Marek Hrivik-Robin Kovacs
Tanner Glass-Maxim Lapierre-Malte Stromwall
Ryan McDonagh-Adam Clendening
Ryan Graves-Dylan McIlrath
Chris Summers-Nick Holden
Twitter recap: Devils hand Rangers first preseason loss
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AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Well I did not get a chance to watch the game last night, so I figure this is a good time to reintroduce the Twitter recap. Because when we can’t get a goal breakdown or recap, we rely on you for commentary. Also, if you haven’t been following on Twitter, we have a Snapchat now (snap: blueseatblogs). If you are going to a game and want to take over the account, reach out to Becky (@bhabs37).
Dan Girardi and @ChrisKreider wearing the 'A' tonight for #NYR.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 1, 2016
I’m glad I wasn’t on Twitter to see the reactions to this one. Must have been entertaining.
Preseason Game 3: Rangers at Devils
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Photo by Scott Levy/NHLI via Getty Images
Another night, another preseason game against the Devils. AV seems to be enjoying the skill and speed at camp this year, as he is dressing a top line that could be a potential opening night lineup. While many will be looking to see how the top line clicks, all eyes will likely be on Jimmy Vesey, Brady Skjei, and Adam Clendening as they look to impress.
Teams are starting to trim their rosters, so the players that impressed the first two games will likely be facing stiffer competition tonight and the remaining games of the preseason. It’s now when the NHL players get separated out from the bubble guys.
If you need a recap of what type of hockey Alain Vigneault has the Rangers playing, catch up here.