Rangers preseason opener lineup sends clear warning signs for Matt Rempe

The New York Rangers have just announced their game group which will be participating in Game 1 of the 2026-27 NHL preseason, and there's a lot that can be learned by who is participating. The preseason for the Rangers starts and finishes this week, and the Blueshirts will appear in four games in five days.

There are specific rules which limit how many games certain players appear in, the most notable is a two game limit for those who've appeared in 100 NHL games or more, and that is playing a role in tonight's selection. With that being said, here's a bit of a deeper look into what could be a pretty important game for those fighting for a roster spot.

Expected Rangers lines for tonight's game in New Jersey

The biggest takeaways here include Dylan Garand getting the first start of the preseason (he'll likely split time with Callum Tung), Matthew Robertson and Scott Morrow are anchoring the top pair as players fighting for an NHL roster spot, and Matt Rempe is skating on the fourth line.

Garand is fighting for his life with the Rangers, as he will be subject to waivers if he doesn't make the team out of camp. I remain skeptical that he would clear, and it will be very interesting to see how the Rangers proceed to start the season.

It remains to be seen what will happen with Alberts Smits, but all indications are that the Rangers want to give him a chance at the NHL level, and that would leave the No. 7 defense spot open. Robertson is the likeliest player to claim that role, as he can slide back into his spot on the third pair if/when Smits falters.

Fortescue and Iorio are in a similar boat, but they too sit further back on the depth chart and are most likely Hartford bound by week's end. It is possible they remain together on a pair together in Hartford, as they both have limited NHL experience and stand to learn something playing together.

Given that this group is a glorified AHL squad, it doesn't bode well for Rempe's chances of making the roster as the 13th forward or better. Liam Greentree is getting a start on the top line, and that's likely to be his role to start the year in Hartford.

Even if he has a tremendous week of games, it makes the most sense to let him acclimate to AHL hockey and dominate until a top-six role opens up on the varsity squad. Oliver Bjorkstrand is likely going to get the first crack there, and if he falters, Eeli Tolvanen is waiting on the wing behind him.

It's nice to see Adam Sýkora on the second line, and he's another name on the bubble trying to make a huge push this week. He continues to get better year over year, and one more campaign of seasoning in Hartford might not be the worst thing in the world.

The trio of Nathan Aspinall, Dylan Roobroeck, and Brody Lamb as the third line for Monday's game against New Jersey feels like a line that will be fun to watch in Hartford. Aspinall and Roobroeck are both big boys at 6'7", and they have some offensive skill too. Lamb looked very solid in his initial stint on an ATO with the Wolf Pack to end the season, and he's someone who could work his way onto the Rangers' main roster within the next 18 months.

Beyond these names, there's not much that really stands out considering the others are either expected AHL veterans bound for Hartford, or they are youngsters who are further down the depth chart and aren't expected to be in the NHL picture this year.

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