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Blueline thoughts as camp gets underway |
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New York starts pre-season play Wednesday against New Jersey. Prior to games beginning, the Rangers are scrimmaging in camp, separating the squad into teams. While not a lot can be gleaned from these ‘contests,’ it is a form of game action, allowing those battling for jobs to make an impression, good or bad. As seen from the beat writers etc., Libor Hajek, Joey Keane and Tarmo Reunanen all have acquitted themselves nicely as they battle to fill the roster and lineup of spot of Tony DeAngelo, whose holdout continues.
Hajek’s left shoulder injury, sustained on a check from Blake Coleman at the Garden on March 9 that ended the rookie defenseman’s season after five games, has fully healed. Selected 32nd overall in 2016 and the main piece of the Ryan McDonagh trade, Hajek struggled at Hartford, as he tried to justify his inclusion in the deal. Hajek was much better in his brief stint in the NHL prior to the injury.
As noted in the Post, Hajek, penciled in on the left side with Brady Skjei and Marc Staal, worked with a skills coach from the Czech national program when he got back on skates. Hajek may be the favorite to fill the third line spot, though Brendan Smith could also earn that job, same with Ryan Lindgren, Brendan Crawley and Yegor Rykov. He has caught the eye of coach David Quinn, possibly giving him a slight edge, depending on how well he plays in the pre-season and what happens with ADA etc. “Libor is picking up where he left off,” Quinn said. “His skating, quick decision-making below the tops of the circles in our end, physical on the puck … He looks as good as he did last year when he was playing for us.”
Tarmo Reunanen, New York’s fourth-round selection in the 2016 entry draft, has had an impressive opening of camp, but because the Rangers fo have this option, the plan is for the 21-year-old Finnish lefty defenseman to return to his native country and play on loan for Lukko to continue his development. His play at Traverse City opened some eyes and a strong season in the Finnish league could result in Reunanen getting a look see later this season. If not then, expect Reunanen to contend for a spot next training camp.
Vince Mercogliano of the Gannett News pointed out Crawley and Rykov are the oldest of that group at just 22, so there is plenty of time for any of the defensive prospects to make a jump and earn a chance. But with Rykov missing the first few practices after suffering an ankle injury at Traverse City, Crawley fighting an uphill battle against several contenders and Lindgren with a limited ceiling to a certain extent compared to others, the signs are pointing toward Hájek getting the first crack at the job. One other option is Joe Morrow, though as you will see below, he could possibly fill the open spot on the right side, same with Rykov, if he is moved to his off-side.
One possible long-shot option for the right side with DeAngelo holding out is Joey Keane, the 20-year-old righty defenseman who created a strong impression in last year’s camp. He was solid in Monday’s scrimmage and has received some love from the beat writers, including Tuesday’s Newsday. Keane, who had 12 goals and 44 points for Barrie in his draft year, is likely ticketed for Hartford, but he is doing what he can to change that narrative while ADA is out.
Quinn said “there’s certainly a chance’’ for Keane to impress with DeAngelo out. Keane spent most of the summer in Connecticut and trained with Ben Prentiss, who works with many of the Rangers to get them into top shape. He did a lot of work in the weight room and worked on his skating speed, two identified areas of improvement needed and remediated, which shows his level of commitment. Quinn added on Keane: “Joey’s got a lot of great qualities about him. I love his skating. He’s strong. I think, as you get older, as a defenseman, a lot of guys are gifted offensively, and they’re offensive defensemen. I think he’s still finding his way as to who he’s going to be at our level. He’s certainly a great prospect for us. There’s a lot of things to like about Joey.’’ The skating stands out as well as the offensive instincts. I still think he is facing an uphill battle, especially with veteran lefty Joe Morrow in camp. The 26-year-old, who has played 162 career games and is in camp on a tryout, skated a fair amount on the right last season with the Jets with Dmitry Kulikov and Sami Niku. That overall experience and time on the right side could give him the edge. But with so many kids in camp and the upside Keane has, a strong pre-season, like for Hajek and Rykov, could change the team’s mindset of where Keane opens the year.
Brandon Carlo signed a two-year deal with a $2.85 million AAV. That contract buys out his RFA with no arb rights this year and first year of arb rights next season. A good deal signed by GM Don Sweeney. You wonder how ADA and his agent react to this deal. DeAngelo would be in a similar boat as Carlo if he signed a two-year deal. Let’s say he is worth $1.2 mil or so this season, about 25% more than what NY is offering and can afford based on their cap situation. To arrive at the Carlo AAV, ADA would need to make $4.45 mil next season. No way he is worth that. I am sure he is using Neal Pionk’s deal as a reference point, but that too is an aberration and gross overpayment. The Rangers might need to deal ADA, given both sides position, but I think there is more that we haven’t seen from his game yet and growth potential. But if he expects more this year and a major spike next year, a trade may end up the best course of action for both sides, especially when factoring in the future D pipeline in the organization.
The Rangers trimmed their training-camp roster by seven. Francois Brassard, Ryan Gropp, Tom McCollum, Ville Meskanen and Ty Ronning were assigned to camp with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Nico Gross and Hunter Skinner were assigned to their junior teams in the OHL. Gropp, a former third round pick, and Ronning, who burst on the scene a few years ago, may be running out of chances, Meskanen came over last year with high hopes, but for him to get sent down so early doesn’t bode well. Gross still may get a few more kicks at the can given his age, but the plethora of D in the system pushes him down the pecking order.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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