Betwixt Monday’s 4-1 preseason-opening victory over the New York Islanders and Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins, the New York Rangers announced they’ve returned their top 2022 NHL draft choice Adam Sykroa to his native HK Nitra of the Slovakia Extraliga. The 5-10, 172Ibs forward selected in the second round, 63rd overall, was the Blueshirts’ maiden pick after losing their first-round slot to Winnipeg Jets in the 2022 trade-deadline deal for Andrew Copp(Now with the Detroit Red Wings)
During his short stay in New York following the World Juniors this summer, Sykora,18, appeared in three games, two all-rookie tilts in Allentown, PA, against the Philadelphia Flyers two weeks ago, and Monday’s exhibition opener. Adam’s emboldened debut, where he supplied a defensive presence with several blocked shots, cinched he was one of the three Rangers on the ice in the 2-1 overtime defeat, preceding the 5-1 drubbing in game two, completing the Philly sweep.
On Monday, number 38 registered two shots in and was boxed twice in 12:39 of ice time, though the lag penalty was an error on the referee’s side per coach Gerard Gallant; and he made notice of this by leaving his bench post to pat the youngster on the back upon return from his time in the bin.
Although it wasn’t envisioned he would break camp, the logjam at his position fabricates for an arduous trek to potentially seeing the Slovakian make an NHL entree on Garden Ice in the intermediate future; peculiarly with prospects such as Brennan Othman, Will Cuylle, Bobby Trivigno, and Kalle Vaisanen ahead of him on the organizational depth chart.
The loan leaves the Blueshirts possessing 61 players left at camp, 36 forwards, with Sykora being the first to go, allowing him to be in prime form for the upcoming season.
The return home pantomimes an opportunity for the youngster to build off a brawny 2021-22 campaign where he accumulated ten goals and seven assists, a total of 17 points in 46 games for HK Nitra. Compared to the compacted North American sheets, the comprehensive European ice accords Adam to hone his skills and strengthen his agility.
However, he could request the former as he was picked first overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL in the 2022 CHL import draft, but he would need permission from HK management to leave. Due to a myriad of circumstances, including his age and being the first of his three-year entry-level contract, Adam is prohibited from making an AHL appearance this year.
Still, he could be in play for the 2023-24 season, assuming he replicates the torrid success he’s had thus far. While he may be playing overseas, Sykora is a player Rangers fans should keep an eye on, and don’t be surprised if we see a welcome warmup lap for him in the coming years.