New York Rangers: Ranking the bottom-six wing candidates

4. Andrew Desjardins

Andrew Desjardins also comes into camp with the Rangers on a professional tryout contract. It is standard for teams, and particularly the Rangers, to give veterans an extended look during the early stages of roster construction.

The eight-year NHL veteran has played rather inconsistently with his former teams, the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks. In the 2016-17 season, Desjardins found his way into the Blackhawks lineup just 46 times after appearing in 77 games the previous year.

Desjardins’ game is not particularly built for Alain Vigneault’s system that fits fast, skilled players the most. His career-best seasons resulted in 17 points in both 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons, both with the Sharks. Last season, the 31-year old winger recorded one lone assist.

However, New York’s head coach has a history of carrying a grit and physicality player on the roster. His ability to take the occasional faceoff could help him stick around in camp a little longer than expected, but Desjardins is unlikely to be the team’s top choice.