The New York Rangers have wrapped up their preseason and made their final roster cuts. It’s almost time for hockey to officially be back.
Record: 2-0-1
Scores: NYR vs NJD 4-3 OTW, NYR vs NYI 4-3 OTL, NYR @ PHI 4-2 W
Training camp is officially over. The New York Rangers have cut their roster down to 13 forwards and eight defensemen. The team is ready to take on the 2018-2019 season.
However, not without some roster shockers. Surprisingly, Lias Andersson was sent down to start the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack. The other end of the surprise was trade deadline acquisition Brett Howden being set to center the fourth line. I imagine that this is to give Andersson top line minutes in Hartford to develop, as his game isn’t exactly suited to a fourth line role.
Unsurprisingly, Vinni Lettieri made the NHL roster after a strong preseason showing. The forward is in a bit of a s strange place skill wise. His shot is almost too good for the fourth line, yet his lacking defensive abilities make him a liability on the other lines. However, he still has time to better his defensive abilities, and with this season being a wash before it begins, it is best to play him with zero expectations.
Quite possibly the best story to come out of training camp is Brendan Smith rising from the ashes and looking miles better than he did a season ago. His return to form adds stability to a mediocre blue line.
And with the good comes the bad. There are some players who were totally sub-par this training camp and it doesn’t bode well for their future. Let’s take a look at the good, the bad, and the future.