Gerard Gallant suggests his Rangers top nine ahead of training camp

New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant has given his starting trios ahead of training camp for the Blueshirts. It’s been taken as anything is with the Rangers fan base, divided opinion. With some new faces and a face that isn’t brand new but we didn’t get to see much of in New York due to a long-term injury, there is a lot of unknown about the Rangers lineup heading into the season.

Gallant said today he projects the lineup to look something like this to start in the top nine.

Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Sammy Blais
Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Vitali Kravtsov
Alexis Lafreniere – Filip Chytil – Kaapo Kakko

It’s important to remember this is the first day of training camp. It would be more surprising if these were the line combinations all the way through than if there was some change and fluctuation. Learning who fits best where before the season starts is important and it is very likely that the Rangers will see a lot of different people in a lot of different roles before opening night. That’s okay, it’s just not easy for fans.

Keeping the kid line together is something I think some fans wanted to see for sentimental reasons, but the overwhelming hope was that Lafreniere would finally get his shot with the big boys as opposed to sitting on the third line with minimal powerplay time. It was hoped that the Rangers would finally put the former 1st overall pick in a position to showcase his immense talents, but it seems he’s starting where he ended last year.

So, the Rangers are likely going to see new faces in different places, and that could mean a few difficulties for players trying to find their groove and settle in with new linemates. It also means New York will be playing the role of a child in a chemical lab – mix it together and see what has an exciting reaction. Whether that be for the better or worse, it is rare we see a dud reaction and nothing changes from previous iterations.

That second line is the interesting one. Obviously, Trocheck is interesting in his own right, but Kravtsov playing with Panarin is a little surprising given that Kravtsov has a lack of NHL experience. It has the potential to go really well, and it finally gives Kravtsov that shot at a top-six role he has been desperate for since he was drafted by the Rangers. It also has the potential to see Kravtsov back in Russia. We’ll see.

I think the standout for everyone is Sammy Blais on the top line. After a very brief stint in New York, Gallant has decided that Kreider and Zibanejad are his best linemates. Blais isn’t someone you’d expect to set the world on fire. He is indeed a fine player, no doubt there, but he’s not exactly the most gifted with his scoring touch. Questions will be raised, but it’s only day one of camp and we’re not even close to the final lineup.

Question for Blue Line Station readers: What do you think the Rangers lineup should be?