Training camp is officially underway, and of course we have to discuss the first iteration of the Rangers camp lines. Camp was split into three groups, with each group having a mix of NHL players, AHL players, and prospects vying to impress in camp. Since all the focus will be on where some of the kids wind up and where, in particular, Mika Zibanejad winds up, let’s look at this first iteration of Rangers camp lines.
There’s nothing specific with the groups, but we can infer what the coaching staff wants to do. For example, Team 1 has Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck remaining together with Taylor Raddysh as their RW. Brendan Brisson is with Sam Carrick and Matt Rempe to start. Carey Terrance is with Adam Sykora and Raoul Boilard. To me, that signals Brisson will get a look at a fourth line spot, while the Terance-Sykora-Boilard trio (along with Trey Fix-Wolansky) are all Hartford bound.
Perhaps more interesting with Team 1 is the defense pairs. Will Borgen is not with Carson Soucy or Scott Morrow, but with Matthew Robertson. Soucy and Morrow are a separate pair. They are going to give Robertson a long, long look, but it seems a Soucy-Morrow pairing may be in the works to start the season.
More lines to come from Teams 2 and 3, notably with Adam Edstrom on the wing with JT Miller and Mika Zibanejad.
More About: Preseason