David Quinn and Jeff Gorton provide some insight into the new season

Buchnevich’s revival

It certainly looks like Pavel Buchnevich’s slot on the top line will be his for a while.  Quinn spoke about what has made the Russian a top line winger.   “I think it’s a trust factor from a coaching staff perspective.  Once he realized our staff was geared to making him the best player he could be and what we did was in his best interest, he embraced it and made the proper changes he heeded to.”

Asked what Buchnevich has done, he said “He’s putting more stock into being more than just a scorer. I think he’s understanding that there are other things he’s going to have to do as every players does to be a good player and  to help us win hockey games.  I think he’s embraced it and it’s one of the reasons he was so productive offensivly  those last few months.  It’s because it wasn’t just about scoring goals, it was about playing good hockey.  And if you’ve got talent like that and you focus on the process of playing good hockey, you get rewarded from a point standpoint and that’s what happened.”

Other notes

Kravtsov scratched – There has  been some speculation about the fact that Vitali Kravtsov was a healthy scratch on Sunday in Hartford.   When asked, Gorton gave the suuccinct response the he was  “not concerned at all about this weekend.”

Matthew Robertson Signs – The Rangers also announced that they had signed prospect Matthew Robertson to his Entry Level Contract.  The defenseman was the team’s second round pick in the June Entry Draft.  A highly regarded prospect who slipped into the second round, Robertson is playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL.  He had an excellent NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City and got a long look in the preseason.  The 18-year old lefthanded shot is moving up the depth chart.

K’Andre Miller suspension – There was some concern when it was learned that prospect K’Andre Miller had been suspended  for violation of men’s hockey team rules at the University of Wisconsin.  Subsequently, Rick Carpiniello of The Athletic (subscription required) reported that it was not a major rule violation and he would be back with the team soon. The Badgers open their season this Friday.

According to the Kenosha News there won’t be a decision  on Miller’s status for the season opener against Boston College in Boston until game day.   Coach Tony Granato told the News “Missing the practice and missing the Red-and-White game (a scrimmage) was a good message to say, hey, this is part of the consequences…Whether or not we’re finished with that, I don’t know.”  Granato continued “I liked the way he practiced. I like the way he’s been. He’s aware and he’s responded the way we’ve hoped he would.”

Zibanejad honored – Mika Zibanejad was named the NHL Player of the Week for his eight points in two games.  He is tied for the league lead in points with Connor McDavid who has played one additional game. He’s fourth in goals and seventh in assists and he leads the league in plus/minus with +6.   Alexandar Georgiev is tied for the league lead in GAA and is third in the league in save percentage (.969).   Hey, it’s never too early to celebrate these achievements.

Kreider lauded – Coach Quinn spoke highly of Chris Kreider and his leadership.  He said “Over the summer the impact he had on our organization was huge. Working out with a lot of guys…half the team staying at his house, he was running a B&B over there.  It’s not only what you see what he does on the ice, but what he does  away from the rink with these young guys.”

If you want to see the full David Quinn press briefing, click here. 

If you want to see Jeff Gorton’s comments, click here.