Roster Cut to 25

The Rangers made their second round of cuts today, trimming the roster to 25 players. Most of the players sent to Hartford were expected, as goalies Chad Johnson and Matt Zaba, defensemen Corey Potter and Ilkka Heikkinen, and forward Paul Crowder were sent down after the win over the Bruins this afternoon.

The final roster will probably be around 22 players, which includes an extra forward and an extra defenseman (they have the cap room, believe it or not). My guess would be P.A. Parenteau, Evgeny Grachev, Bobby Sanguinetti are sent to Hartford. I think Michael Del Zotto has earned the right to prove that he can play at the NHL level, and he will have nine games when the season begins to prove he can before getting sent back to the OHL. Alexei Semenov will probably serve as the 7th defenseman.

As far as the forwards go, I think they are going to want Grachev to get 22 minutes a game in Hartford, as opposed to 12 minutes a game with the Rangers. As for Parenteau, he is probably the tough luck loser out of this, but will be the first call up when an injury. He is 26 years old now, he’s not a prospect anymore. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers trade him sometimes soon, he does has some value. That’s just me thinking ahead though.

It’s been an active weekend for the Rangers. We will get a good look at how the Rangers match up on Monday, when Marian Gaborik steps to the ice for the first time as a Ranger against the Red Wings.