Three forwards that may crack the Rangers opening night roster

The New York Rangers are ready to embark on another season in the National Hockey League. With their eyes set on trying to replicate last season, up until it's ending, the air is filled with hope and optimism.

Now that training camp has gotten underway, the fun begins with trying to decipher what Head Coach Peter Laviolette is thinking with the line combos and who is on the ice with who. It is impossible to predict what or who will be on the Rangers opening night roster, but it is still fun to try and get it right.

The roster appears to be pretty much a copy of last season, with the new additions of Reilly Smith and Connor Carrick replacing the departures of Blake Wheeler and Barclay Goodrow. But, on that fourth line, there seems to be a spot that could be filled, at either of the three positions.

Let's see who could sneak themselves into the opening night roster.

1. Matt Rempe

It is hard to believe that he wouldn't be in a blue shirt when the season starts on October 9th. But, as it stands right now, it is a possibility that Matt Rempe won't be on the Rangers roster to start the year. He, like the rest of the guys on this post, are gonna have to claw and fight their way onto the final roster.

In terms of fighting, there is no one better than Rempe when it comes down to that. And that is why he is my favorite to make the final roster before their first game against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. In addition to fighting, he has expressed that he wants to be so much more for the Rangers this season.

With an abundance of video coming out from training camp, it is clear to see that Rempe took this offseason very seriously. He appeared to be a much better skater, which is terrifying to think about as he was already fairly quick for a 6'7" player. If all else, his dedication to becoming a complete hockey player, and not just a wrecking ball on skates, should be highly regarded even if he doesn't make the team.

2. Brennan Othmann

Another guy who could make the opening night roster is Brennan Othmann. The 21-year-old left-wing prospect from the Ontario Hockey League spent the 2023-24 season as a part of the Hartford Wolfpack, the Rangers AHL affiliate.

In 67 games with Hartford, he scored 21 goals and added 28 assists for 49 points. During the Wolfpack's playoff run, he appeared in 10 games, scored a goal in game three of the series against Providence, and also assisted on four goals.

This may be a toss-up between Othmann and Rempe for that final roster spot. I would fully expect both to get some playing time with the NHL club this season, it just depends on who Laviolette wants to go with more often. For Othmann, this is going to be a make-or-break training camp and preseason for him.

3. Adam Edstrom

Despite the other two names on this list being heavily considered for the final roster spot for opening night, do not count out Adam Edstrom just yet. Like Rempe, he is a towering body at 6'7", and he can turn the game around with his aggressiveness.

He split time between Hartford and New York last season, with 40 games at the AHL level and 11 games in the NHL. He scored 11 goals and contributed five assists in the minors and also scored twice for the Rangers.

The door is wide open and these three are all vying for a way to walk through it. The competition is going to be fierce but fun this preseason.