The first sign of the 2014-2015 NHL season began Thursday. The Rangers opened their training camp in Terrytown, NY. It was the first official organized hockey practice of the upcoming season. Entering this year’s camp, the Rangers are faced with several questions. Who were the invitees, training camp schedule, what storylines would develop, and which one player would become the 28th captain for the New York Rangers.
More from Rangers News
- Blake Wheeler’s Broadway Calling: Why He Chose the Rangers
- Rangers’ Playoff Redemption Recipe: Grit and Fresh Hopes
- Brennan Othmann and Will Cuylle Set to Shine in the NHLPA Rookie Showcase
- Chris Kreider has had quite the Summer
- Andy Hosler Takes Helm as Head Athletic Trainer for the New York Rangers, Succeeding Jim Ramsay
Day one got underway with head coach Alain Vigneault spearheading yesterday’s events. It looks as though the second-year coach is taking another “clean slate” approach with the team. In his first press conference with the media Thursday, Vigneault expressed that last year’s line combinations may not be be as successful as this year. In a quote from blueshirtsunited.com , Jim Cerney quotes the Rangers head coach:
"“There is a clean slate (this year), meaning that the roles and the lines and the duos that worked last year might not necessarily work this year,” stated Vigneault. “So that’s why you have training camp to take the opportunity to try a couple of different experiences and see how those experiences work out. Each year is a new opportunity.”"
Also, Vigneault is experimenting with players at different positions. For example, Rick Nash will be tried at both the left and right wing positions for training camp and preseason games. Other players such as J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes, both of which are former number one draft choices, will be showcased at the center position. But added that their versatility at the wing positions will be a plus.
As with the previous year, veterans are not secured a roster spot. Vigneault is giving each player in camp an equal opportunity to earn their place. That means that the veteran players will need to be especially watchful of the young prospects. It appears Vigneault is setting the tone early in camp. Nothing is set in stone, you work hard you are rewarded, no matter who you are.
This year’s camp is comprised of 63 players within the Rangers organization. A few notable veterans that were invited were Henrik Lundqvist, Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh, and Marc Staal. The young guns setting their sights on making it to the preseason roster include Ryan Haggerty, Brandon Halverson, Conor Allen, Dylan Mcllrath, and Keegan Iverson. For a complete list of the training camp roster, click here.
Eyes On Isles
No on-ice practice was held Thursday. Instead, it was a day players underwent physicals with the training staff. Players will finally lace up their skates and take to the ice starting tomorrow. The roster will be divided up into three separate squads. Each squad will have their own time on the ice. For the next two days, the roster will remain in this alternating fashion. Sunday, all players will participate in scrimmages. For more details about the training camp schedule, click here.
Finally, the most important question of all to Rangers fans: Who will be the Captain? The answer was none. Well not yet, anyway. In Vigneault’s press conference at 12:00 pm, Thursday, he stated a captain will not be chosen till the end of training camp. In his shorts and flip-flops, he expressed:
"“I think that all teams have a core leadership group, and it’s not just up to one individual–the captain–to be the leader, it has to be a group effort…I see in our team some real strong possibilities as far as being captain; but I also see that this is a new year and we changed some pieces to the puzzle, so I want to see how it unfolds during training camp.”"
We, Rangers fans, will have to wait and see what the next couple of days brings.