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Roster Shuffle: Rangers Make Moves Ahead of Opening Night

By Marvin Azrak

RIGA, LATVIA - MAY 25: Adam Clendening #5 of the United States celebrates scoring 1-0 during the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship group stage game between United States and Kazakhstan at Arena Riga on May 25, 2021 in Riga, Latvia. (Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images)
RIGA, LATVIA - MAY 25: Adam Clendening #5 of the United States celebrates scoring 1-0 during the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship group stage game between United States and Kazakhstan at Arena Riga on May 25, 2021 in Riga, Latvia. (Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images) /
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Discover the Rangers’ bold roster decisions and waivers ahead of their thrilling opening night clash. Who stayed? Who’s heading  to the minors? 

Friday brought news from the New York Rangers training camp as they made some moves to trim the roster.

The team waved goodbye, not literally, to six players who’ve been grinding it out at training camp. That’s Riley Nash, Connor Mackey, Ty Emberson, Turner Elson, Anton Blidh, and Alex Belzile. Four were gunning for forward positions, while the other two were playing the defense game.

Now, if these players successfully pass through waivers, they’ll go to the Hartford Wolf Pack to continue training camp with the AHL team, which opens next week.

Six Players Waived, Roster Trimmed – Rangers Prep for Opening Night

Nash, the 34-year-old center, is making a $775,000 salary for the season. He’s on a two-year deal with the Rangers and will be a UFA after the 2024-2025 season.

Mackey, the 27-year-old defenseman, has the same salary and cap hit as Riley – $775,000 for the 2023-2024 season. He’s on a one-year contract, so he’ll be a UFA after the current season.

Blidh, the 28-year-old right- and left-winger, is also in the $775,000 salary club with the same cap hit for the 2023-2024 season. He’s on a two-year contract and will be a UFA after the 2024-2025 season.

You can also throw the 23-year-old Emberson in that group. Except he’ll be an RFA after this season.

Elson, the 31-year-old left-winger, earns $775,000 with a cap hit of $762,000 for the 2023-2024 season. The Rangers locked him in with a two-year deal in 2022. He’ll be a UFA at the end of this season, and maybe he’ll be free to enjoy some real wings!

Last but not least,  Belzile, the 32-year-old center and right-winger. You probably can guess his salary with your eyes closed.

Yep, it’s $775,000 salary, $775,000 cap hit for the 2023-2024 season. He’s on a two-year deal and will be a UFA after the 2024-2025 season.

In addition to these moves, Rangers president and GM Chris Drury had more to share. Nikolas Brouillard, Karl Henriksson, Ryder Korczak, and Bobby Trivigno have been sent to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Blake Hillman, who was on a PTO (Professional Tryout), is also heading to Hartford’s training camp.

They’ve also released Adam Clendening from his PTO, meaning he’s back on the market.

The Blueshirts have more decisions before opening night on October 12th when they face off against the Buffalo Sabres at the KeyBank Center. There are 35 players left at camp, but only 23 will survive. It’s like their version of “Survivor,” but with hockey sticks instead of torches!

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