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Development camp continues, who could be invited to training camp |
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After a day off, Rangers Development camp continued today. No scrimmages on the docket, but lots of drills and on-ice work. This likely will be the case until the Saturday and Sunday scrimmages against the Flyers. In a week, training camp opens and I'm looking forward to seeing who from the development camp sticks around.
Morgan Barron continues to impress. He has been physical along the boards while also using his size and strength to create and finish scoring chances. Barron was pretty much slated all along to be in training camp and get a real chance to make the team.
Will Cuylle came to camp on a mission to impress and he has not disappointed. The shot is his ticket to the next level, but his willingness and ability to use his size won't hurt his chances. Another player deserving of a spot in camp.
Lauri Pajuneimi is a long-shot. But attending camp will give him a truer sense of what is needed to get to the next level. Another player who should get a spot.
Karl Henriksson will be in training camp. A bit undersized, his skill is what has to shine through. I expect him to start the year in Sweden, but a strong showing could help his case for the future.
Justin Richards is a dark-horse, fourth line option. Coming down with COVID wrecked his chances before last camp. Now healthy, Richards has the defensive zone chops to be a surprise candidate out of camp.
Zac Jones will be in camp. Facing an uphill battle, the experience he received in the 10 games he played in the NHL last year won't hurt. I expect him and Braden Schneider, who should also get an early look in camp, to be one of the top-two defensive pairs in Hartford this season.
Nils Lundkvist came to camp with his name penciled into the third-pair opposite Patrick Nemeth. Only an injury or major collapse will change that equation. Hoping former doesn't happen and not expected the latter.
Tarmo Reunanen and Matthew Robertson should be in training camp to start. Reunanen had a cup of coffee for the Rangers last season while Robertson gets overlooked at times, but shouldn't. He could surprise in camp, and while I expect him to open 2021 in the AHL, look for him in the NHL at some point this season.
Hunter Skinner put himself in the prospect equation with a solid 2020-21 season. Many questioned his selection in general, let alone in the 4th round in 2019. But Skinner has shown that pick might have been wise. additional growth from him in the next year will move him up the prospect rankings.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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