Blue Line Station
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What we learned about the Rangers after the first 4 preseason games

By Steve Paulus

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 30: The New York Rangers celebrate a third period goal by Artemi Panarin #10 against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on September 30, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. The Rangers defeated the Devils 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 30: The New York Rangers celebrate a third period goal by Artemi Panarin #10 against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on September 30, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. The Rangers defeated the Devils 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 30: Zac Jones #6 of the New York Rangers skates past Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils during the first period at the Prudential Center on September 30, 2022, in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 30: Zac Jones #6 of the New York Rangers skates past Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils during the first period at the Prudential Center on September 30, 2022, in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Two slots on the blue line

The top two defense pairings are set and the only decisions to be made are who will be Braden Schneider’s partner and who will be the seventh, depth defender.

From the preseason so far, it appears that Zac Jones is destined to be the sixth regular blueliner.  He has been solid on offense and has not looked out of place in his own zone.  The Rangers have a great track record when using young players, but Schneider just turned 21 and Jones is almost 22.  That’s young.

While Jones has the job, it will be worth watching how opposing coaches will match lines, especially on the road.  Expect Schneider and Jones to see a lot of the opposing teams’ top lines and that’s when we will really know if Jones is ready for a regular role.

There are still three blueliners in camp who are competing for that last slot.  Libor Hajek had the inside track but has seen some real competition from Matt Bartkowski, on a Professional Tryout.  A veteran of 256 NHL games, Bartkowski isn’t flashy, but he has the experience and looks to be a cheaper, more mobile version of Patrik Nemeth. He hasn’t done anything to rule out a signing.

The last defender is Jarred Tinordi and if last year was any indication, he is bound for Hartford.  If it’s Bartkowski, he needs to sign a contract.  Hajek and Tinordi have to clear waivers to go to the AHL.

No worries in net

Igor Shesterkin is one of the best netminders in the world and we should see more of the same this season.  The big question mark coming into training camp was the newly signed Jaroslav Halak. At age 37, does Halak still have what it takes to start 30 games, coming off a so-so season in Vancouver where he saw action in only 17 games?

After two appearances in the preseason, there’s no reason to worry.  Halak has been excellent.  Among the 19 goalies who have appeared in at least 500 games since 2005, Halak is sixth overall in save percentage (.916) and goals against average (2.49).

Louis Domingue is still in camp, but will be the backup in the last two games and will be the number one starter in Hartford and the first call-up in case of injury.

While the Rangers’ goaltending situation is set, so are their salary cap issues.

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