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Less star power in the 2nd preseason game

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Jacob Trouba #8 of the New York Rangers holds up Jesper Boqvist #90 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Madison Square Garden on September 18, 2019 in New York City. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Jacob Trouba #8 of the New York Rangers holds up Jesper Boqvist #90 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Madison Square Garden on September 18, 2019 in New York City. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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TRAVERSE CITY, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Ryan Dmowski #58 of the New York Rangers passes the puck in front of teammate Joey Keane #82 during Day-5 of the NHL Prospects Tournament at Centre Ice Arena on September 10, 2019 in Traverse City, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Hartford bound…unless

Joey Keane #82 –  Keane is on the cusp for only one reason, the Tony DeAngelo holdout.  Keane is a righthanded shot who impressed the team at Traverse City.   A third round draft pick in 2018, Keane was a finalist for the United States World Junior team last season and just signed his Entry Level Contract.  If he continues to impress, he may win a job with the varsity at least until DeAngelo signs.

Ryan Lindgren #55 – Lindgren has had two brief auditions on Broadway and acquitted himself well, but this season he finds himself dropping on the defense depth chart.  Acquired from Boston in the Rick Nash trade, Lindgren has a reputation for solid leadership and is a stay-at-home defenseman.    He is a dark horse to make the NHL squad, but a good showing in the preseason could boost his chances.

Tarmo Reunanen #51 – Reunanen is a Finn who just won’t go away.   A fourth round pick in the 2016 draft, the Rangers needed to sign him to an Entry Level Contract this summer or risk losing his rights. The decision was made easier by a very solid season with Lukko Rauma in the Liiga in Finland as a 20 year old.   He is committed to Lukko this season, but is on loan to the Rangers.

The likelihood is that Reunanen returns to FInland, but he has impressed the Ranger brass and has a slim chance of sticking with the Rangers or playing in Hartford as a top call up.

Patrick Newell #34 – Newell was one one of the top college players last season, a leader on St. Cloud State, the best team in the NCAA.  The Rangers signed the undrafted right wing and he had a brief stint in Hartford.

Newell is not big at 5’10”, 170 pounds, but he had a very good Traverse City Tournament. He will get more seasoning in Hartford, but could have a future on Broadway.

Phil DiGuiseppe # 28 – DiGuiseppe was signed to a one year deal by the Rangers as they seek to improve the Wolf Pack. He is a proven AHL performer who has seen action in 150 NHL games, mostly with Carolina. He did get into three games with Nashville last season.  The 25 year old left winger is destined for Hartford.

Gabriel Fontaine # 37 – Fontaine is a 22-year old center who was drafted in the sixth round in 2016.  He has played two seasons with Hartford and is going into the last year of his entry level deal. He notched 11 goals and 26 points for a bad Hartford team last season.

Steven Fogarty # 29 – Fogarty has seen action with the Rangers the last two seasons, scoreless in 11 games.  He has played three full seasons in Hartford and had a career season last year with 21 goals and 52 points in 66 games.  At 6’3″, 210 pounds, Fogarty has size, but he will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Drafted in the third round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, time is running out for Fogarty.  If he can show something in the preseason and build on his success last year in Hartford, he could end up as one of the first call ups for the Blueshirts this season.

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