Rangers to open season with 14 forwards

Jeff Gorton was interviewed today following practice, and noted that the Rangers have more forward evaluation to perform, and will open the season with 14 forwards. That will include Tanner Glass.

What this also means is that the lines we saw today in practice are not the set lines going forward. Alain Vigneault likes to tinker, and although he’s stated he wants to start the season faster, tinkering likely means the Rangers will continue to play .500 hockey in October.

The decision goes beyond Glass/Emerson Etem. This is also about line combinations, player positions, and matchups. There are always many more decisions to be made aside from cuts. Expect AV to go with multiple combinations, which means some unhappy fans regarding lineup decisions, through October.