Key lineup battles that will define Rangers training camp 2025-26

The Mike Sullivan era is finally here. The rookies head to Allentown for the rookie showcase, with the varsity following next in Tarrytown. All the summer speculation is about to morph into real line rushes and video sessions. Let’s talk through where this thing stands, what decisions matter most, and who can grab a job when the gate opens.

Top spots appear to be set in stone

Assuming everyone’s healthy, the top six practically writes itself. Alexis Lafrenière, J.T. Miller, and Mika Zibanejad are the first line with Mika starting at right wing, while Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Will Cuylle give coach Sullivan a heavy, honest second unit. It balances shooters and transporters, letting Miller drive the middle while Mika hunts space and finishes plays. On the back end, the team didn’t sign Vladislav Gavrikov to window-shop; the logical day-one pair is Gavrikov with Adam Fox. Don’t overthink a good thing.

Zibanejad remains a wild card

The big question will be whether Zibanejad will be the middleman until head coach Mike Sullivan breaks a huddle and points to a dot. There’s a strong case to keep Zibanejad on the right side to start. Miller’s pace and board work in the middle can tilt shifts as a counterbalance, Trocheck is already the second-line metronome, and shifting Mika wide turns his mercurial one-timer and quick release into the focal point of entries and face-off plays. If the defensive splits wobble in preseason, the switch back to center is always possible, but opening on the wing maximizes flexibility, which the roster already does well.

Schneider's time to shine

Meanwhile, Braden Schneider has outgrown “safe third-pair.” This has to be a breakout season, even if that means skating the left side. If he handles the new duties well, the blue line extends rapidly. If the offside look doesn’t sing, he can remain at third right-defenseman, but the minutes can’t be sheltered anymore. At 23, with the defensive acumen he’s shown, it’s time to lean on him to make inroads into a heavier workload.

Bottom six battles expected to be most interesting

Unlike last year’s veteran logjam, there are actual seats to win. Brett Berard walks into camp with momentum from 35 NHL games, a fully rehabbed shoulder, a little more muscle, and an effervescent style—speed, forecheck, second effort—that Sullivan tends to trust. Brennan Othmann spent the summer at Gary Roberts Performance, adding nearly ten pounds and skating alongside serious pros. The first thing that will show is the requisite pace on retrievals and board battles; if that improves, the finishing will follow. Conor Sheary arrives on a PTO, knowing the coach’s language, and can plug almost anywhere if a kid stumbles. There's also Taylor Raddysh who was signed to two-year deal. That four-way tug-of-war carries undercurrents of urgency, the kind that will define the third-line left wing and a couple of utility jobs.

Camp opens on September 17th

The first practice on Wednesday, September 17, will tell you a lot. If Zibanejad starts on the wing with Miller taking most draws, that's a hint at opening night, October 7, inside MSG against guess who? The Pittsburgh Penguins, Sully's former side. If Schneider gets left-side reps with a righty partner, the team is serious about fast-tracking him into the top four. If Berard spends reps with Trocheck or a veteran right wing, he's ahead; should Othmann gets those looks, the summer will have been worthwhile. If Morrow is fixated on NHL regulars rather than prospects, his timeline has just been accelerated. The man advantage will be loud if Lafrenière is parked on PP1 the first week; that's intentional.

How the Rangers could stack up down the middle

Down the middle, there’s no reason to hand anyone the third-line job. Juuso Parssinen has the frame and offensive touch but needs to win the role, Johnny Brodzinski is the Swiss-army answer Sullivan can trust on any line, and Sam Carrick provides snarl if the other two settle higher up. This year’s roster rewards whoever stacks consistent reps, not résumés, and that message has already inundated the locker room.

Defensive decisions to be made

The third pair can matter again should Carson Soucy rediscover the edge he played with three seasons back. The wild card is Scott Morrow. At 22, with an AHL All-Star nod and a clean puck game, he’s on the short list to break camp. If Schneider moves left, Morrow has a real lane at the final spot on the right side. If Schneider stays on the right, Morrow is the first call when the inevitable bruise arrives.

Special teams suggestions

Ultimately, this should be the season Lafrenière starts on the first power-play unit with Fox, Panarin, Miller, and Zibanejad. There’s already a certain intimacy in how that group connects, and he’s earned the first crack. If he can’t hold it, that’s his problem to solve, not a reason to keep the door closed. On the penalty kill, Schneider needs high-leverage minutes, and Soucy can help reset the blueline.

Rangers have more kids than they do roster spots

Berard brought real energy last season and trained with Fox, Rempe, and Quick in the area; he looks ready to stick. Othmann had flashes in limited minutes; the summer work should show up in his first strides and willingness to fight through contact. Gabe Perreault has the hands and brain to pop in a hurry, but there’s no need to force it in October—if league pace nips him early, Hartford in the AHL is an excellent ramp. newly acquired Scott Morrow (Enjoy Carolina K'Andre Miller) is close; camp will decide if close is here.

Final thoughts

Lafrenière, Miller, and Zibanejad would take the first shift, with Panarin, Trocheck, and Cuylle right behind them. Berard would have the inside track on the third-line left wing, supported by either Parssinen or Johnny Brodzinski, with Connor Sheary or Taylor Raddysh providing backup. Matt Rempe and Sam Carrick would identify a hard-working, simple fourth line, with one of the extras rotating in.

This camp isn't about finding safe veterans to tread water, but raising the ceiling. If Sullivan leans into the kids and they deliver, the Rangers will get deeper, faster, and harder to defend by November. If they don't, we'll all be talking trades by December. Regardless, seats are open, and the puck is finally about to drop. Let's see what these boys are made of.