Optimistic Preseason For New York Rangers May Lead To More

Even though it has only been two games into the New York Rangers preseason, you have to like what the team is putting on the ice. The future Rangers mixed with the veterans has a certain blend that is good and promising.

With last night’s win, the team is 1-1. It is .500 hockey. But it’s the way the team looks and plays that has me itching for the regular season to start. They not only looked fast, but they’re playing with a determination that I’ve not seen in a while. That is mostly seen in the youngsters who have a hunger to make the team.

Players that have stood out for me have been J.T. Miller, Anthony Duclair, Kevin Hayes, and as of last night Dylan Mcllrath. All have done their parts and given hope to the hopeless. They’ve presence on the ice has raised eyebrows and caused fans to take notice.

Yes, it is preseason. Yes, it is only two games. And yes, teams are not playing their regular rosters, so the play may be a bit inferior.

However, I can’t remember the last time I felt this excited about the upcoming season and the potential for a Rangers team to become a legitimate contender. Not that they are contenders every year. However, it had been more of a team built on defense. “Stand your ground, don’t give an inch” mentality. This was evident under former head coach John Tortorella. He molded a team that preached on making the other team make the mistakes. A read and react system.

However, what those Rangers teams had been lacking were the offensive imaginations and being proactive with the puck. There weren’t enough players that took it to the opposite end of the ice and generate offense. Also the rosters seemed to be too “normal”. What I mean is that the same players would make the team every year. Thus, we would see the same play from the previous season. It seemed like the veterans would get all of the roster spots every year. It caused the play to be “stale” at times.

Slowly though, the Rangers started developing young talent. With guidance from everyone up and down the Rangers’ organization, players began developing their talent for the next step. They had their eyes on potential playmakers who could have their say in making the team. As a result, you have the whispers of the Oscar Lindberg’s, Jesper Fast’s, and Danny Kristo’s among the Blueshirts faithful. And that’s not a bad thing at all!

The games on Tuesday and Friday nights proved that to me.

Seeing hopefuls like Miller makes me smile for the team’s future. Miller’s contributions in the past two games, both offensively and defensively, is making my belief in him increase with each passing game. Hopefully he keeps his play up so that the coaching staff will have no option but to keep him heading into the regular season. I’d even venture a guess and say he won’t be limited to bottom six duties. I feel it may hamper his progression and his offensive abilities may become wasted. But, I’m optimistic he could see time on the second line, as Derek Stepan recovers from his unfortunate injury.

If head coach Alain Vigneault believes in his “clean slate” approach, then no player will be limited to just one position or a particular line. Perhaps that is what I like about him. The unpredictability. Most of us have already penciled in who will be where and on what line. Perhaps, we need to take a step back and leave our roster plans blank. We should enjoy what we are seeing and the potential excitement this crop of players is bringing.

Yes, it is only preseason. Yes it is only two games. Yes, they are playing as a split squad. Yes, they aren’t playing regular rosters.

But you have to like what you’re seeing. If nothing else, those players who do not make it onto the Opening Night roster will thrive in Hartford or wherever they will return to. They will be able to work on their craft and make it that much harder for the coaching staffs to not include them next season.

So yeah, it is only preseason. Yeah, it’s only been two games. Yeah, they were playing split squads. And yeah, the other teams are not playing their regular starters on a regular basis.

But, my optimism about the Rangers’ present and future has me smiling.