3 Takeaways From Rangers’ First Two Days of Training Camp

NHL Training Camps have officially opened, which means we are getting closer to the start of a new season. For the New York Rangers, they are hoping this season is better than the previous two and have come out working hard over the first two days of camp. Although it has only been two days, there are some things to take notice of, and in this piece, we will go over a few of them.

Mike Sullivan Seems to Know the Lines He Wants to Use

From the start of camp, it seems head coach Mike Sullivan already knows the lines he wants to use for the team come opening night. The roster was split into two groups, with Group A being filled with NHL talent and Group B being composed of players who will likely start the season in the American Hockey League (AHL).

This should be seen as a good thing, with Sullivan knowing the players he wants on certain lines and giving those lines a chance to form chemistry throughout camp and preseason. While a player from Group B might open some eyes during camp, having them start in the AHL is not the worst thing in the world.

For the forwards, it seems the top line from the end of last season will stay intact, with Gabe Perreault, Mika Zibanejad, and Alexis Lafreniere looking to build on their previous success. J.T. Miller is centering a line with two new wingers, Pavel Dorofeyev and Oliver Bjorkstrand, with Noah Laba centering Will Cuylle and Eeli Tolvanen.

The forward group is rounded out with Tye Kartye, Joe Veleno, and Jaroslav Chmelar playing on the fourth line. On paper, this forward group is much deeper than it was last season, but with so many new faces, can these lines form chemistry with a shorter camp and preseason?

Which Players Have Stood Out The Most?

While camp is still early, it’s never too early to highlight which players have stood out most so far. The line of Perreault, Zibanejad, and Lafreniere looked good during their second day together, but it’s the players in the bottom six and those fighting for roster spots who have stood out the most.

Those players include Kartye, Matt Rempe, and even Adam Sykora, who’s been in Group B with the AHL players. Rempe has been rotating onto the fourth line, but he is not the first choice, as Chmelar seems to have the first rotation in that spot. While it’s good to see the top players getting back to form, it’s also good to see these younger players fighting with all they have to earn a spot.

On defense, Matthew Robertson has stood out most, and like Rempe, his spot on the opening-night roster isn’t guaranteed. Many thought he would get the first look on the third defense pairing next to Braden Schneider, but it has been Alberts Smits who’s been in that role so far. Robertson played well in limited minutes last season, but it seems Sullivan wants to see if Smits can earn that third-pair role out of camp with his play.

Alberts Smits Has the Chance to Make the Opening Night Roster

The fifth overall pick of this past draft is in prime position to make his NHL debut on opening night if his play merits him earning that spot. Smits’ play during rookie camp left some hoping for more, as it seemed he wasn’t at his best during the exhibition game the Rangers’ rookies played against the Philadelphia Flyers’ rookies.

So far in camp, it seems his play has gotten back to where it used to be, and with Sullivan having him next to Schneider on the third pair, Smits is getting the opportunity to earn that role and make it to the NHL as an 18-year-old rookie.

The Rangers have a lot of faith in Smits and believe he was NHL-ready when they drafted him in June. Now, he is going to get the chance to play in at least two preseason games and show why he deserves to make the NHL now, as opposed to starting down in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack.

If Smits can’t make the jump quite yet, the Rangers have Robertson or Scott Morrow who can play on the third pair, and they both have NHL experience. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and Smits will be a player to watch as the Rangers begin playing their preseason games next week.

It is still very early on in the process, but it’s in the early days of training camp when you find out who really wants it. The Rangers are looking to make it back to the playoffs this season and need players on their team who will give it their all each and every game.

The top players have their spots locked in, but it is always interesting to watch the younger players battle for limited spots. It seems Sullivan has the team he wants in place, but one strong performance, or a bad performance, could shake up the roster as the regular season gets closer.