They’re back! Training camp has officially started

It’s been a long time without New York Rangers hockey and although the Prospects Camp last week gave us a taste, the real thing began today at the Rangers’ training facility in Tarrytown.

Today was what  was called “media day” as the players reported to camp.

There are no surprises when it comes to the training camp roster with 36 forwards, 17 defensemen and seven goalies.  That number will be whittled down very quickly.

At any rate, it was time to take pictures and for the players to undergo physicals.

Coach Gallant on expectations

What can we expect from the 2021-22 version of the team?  Gerard Gallant spoke to reporters today and there was one common theme from the new coach.

Gallant consistently return to that theme, that the team will work hard, play hard and he needs all 23 players to buy in.  It’s really the same message you would hear in 31 other training camps from 31 other coaches.  Gallant summed up what he expects.

“We’re going to play a fast game, we’re going to be an aggressive forecheck team and all that good stuff that coaches talk about. It’s easy to say it, we just have to do it.”

“We think we’re a real good hockey team.  We think we’re an improved team.  You don’t make the playoffs in six months…it starts tomorrow.  We expect to make the playoffs. That’s what our goal is. Talk’s cheap..you don’t just say it, you gotta get ready to work hard, play hard, and get ready for every day.”     He continued, “We’re going to play a fast game, we’re going to be an aggressive forecheck team and all that good stuff that coaches talk about. It’s easy to say it, we just have to do it.”

Gallant made one thing clear.  Ice time is earned.  He emphasized that  and said it doesn’t matter who you are, a rookie or a veteran.  He said that he doesn’t care if a player is 18 years old or 40 years old,  “You’ve go to earn ice time. You don’t give it to someone who doesn’t deserve it .”

He also has no desire to be best friends with his players.  When asked if he has met with any of his players, he said “We’re not spending a whole lot of time with them. They’re doing their thing and we’re doing our thing as coaches to get ready. It’s nice just to casually meet them.”   Gallant is a veteran coach and he is definitely set in his ways.

The lines

The coach said that he will be experimenting with all of the lines, up forward and on defense.  Calling it a “fresh start” Gallant said that in the first few exhibition games we will be seeing a lot of different combinations, but he wants to have the lines relatively set by the last two or three preseason games.

He said he will try Alexis Lafrenière at right wing, but it is much to early to even think about whether he will play Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad together.

Some of the younger players who impressed at prospects came will play early. Gallant said “Some kids showed real well, played really well and they deserve a chance to play in an NHL exhibition game.  Game four or five we’ll  make big decisions.”

One young player he singled out was Nils Lundkvist, talking about his skill and talent levels, but he added that Lundkvist will have to earn a spot in the lineup.

Is it possible that one of the kids will earn a job with the team?  Gallant didn’t rule it out. “We love surprises…maybe it doesn’t work out right away. Maybe down the road…we want every kid coming in here, doing his best and pushing for a spot on the roster.”

He was asked about Kaapo Kakko and called him a “big, strong kid.”   He sees big things for Kakko,  ” I think he’s going to be a great player for us. …it’s an opportunity for him to take a big step this year. Hopefully we give him that opportunity and hopefully he takes advantage of it…This kid is a real good hockey players and he’s going to be a good player in this league a long time.  We’re hoping it takes off the first game of the season.”

Returning to the fresh start theme, Gallant said nothing is set in stone when it comes to lines and players will play where they are comfortable.

He also laughed when asked how many games his goalies would play, saying it’s not fair to predict how many games any one goalie would play.  “We’ve got three capable goalies….we’ll do it one day at a time.”

There will be a captain

Gallant made some news, saying that the Rangers will definitely name a captain by opening night.  It’s clear that he has had that discussion with Chris Drury, who called naming a captain a “priority.”   Gallant echoed that  and said he is having discussions with Drury and his coaches and he knew that some players last season felt that they needed a captain.

At the same time, Gallant downplayed the importance of a captain, saying “Captains are important for your team, but 23 guys are more important for me. Some teams don’t have captains.”  It’s worth noting that there was no team captain when Gallant coached the Golden Knights.

He reinforced that, adding “Whoever gets the C is not going to be alone. We need everybody to be a leader…for my kind of team it’s 23 guys being ready, whether your 18 years old or 40 years old.”

He did say “If I was a betting man, we’re going to have a captain day one” (of the regular season).

One player who won’t be captain will be Artemi Panarin.  As reported by NHL.com, Panarin made it clear that he doesn’t want the job and that there are other players more deserving.  Panarin said

“I think we have more deserving candidates for that role now.  Would I want it? I’d rather say no, actually.”  He continued  “It’s not just putting a letter on the sweater and walking around taking pictures. It’s a lot of rough work in the locker room. And it’s not just about playing good hockey. You also have to give your energy between the periods, motivate guys, giving interviews, being the face of the franchise. Overall, it’s a lot of work off the ice.”

Panarin said that he prefers to be a leader by how he plays on the ice and also noted that his lack of English would be an issue.

In the same article, former Ranger Brian Boyle put in a recommendation for Chris Kreider, the most veteran Ranger.  Kreider famously said last season that he thought captains are more for the fans than the players, a comment that could be a strike against him.

Coaching assignments

Gallant clarified the roles of his assistant coaches, saying that Mike Kelly would handle the power play and Gord Murphy would be responsible for the penalty kill.  At the same time, he said that all coaches will have input on all aspects of the game and you cannot hold Kelly or Murphy solely responsible for special teams.  The question is where Assistant Coach Jim Midgley will be during games.

Gallant said that he routinely had four coaches behind the bench during games while he was in Las Vegas.   He committed to at least three coaches during games this season.

The last word

The mantra is clear from the new coach.  Work hard and you will play.

“The skill and the talent is great, but if you don’t have the work ethic to go along with it you’re not going to go a long ways.  I hope everyone gets the message that we’re going to work hard, going to compete hard…we know we have some skill and talent.  We made some changes to our roster, obviously,  I like the makeup of our team right now.'”

Is there a Gerard Gallant “system?”    He answered that question.  “Let’s be honest, everybody has their systems, (but) there’s not a lot of difference in NHL teams. A lot of us do the same things, it’s executing them and, believing in your systems and getting 23 guys to buy in and execute. I just want to make sure our guys are ready every day…prepare the same way  Tomorrow’s day one.”