The Rangers opened their rookie camp Wednesday. Not much news has come out of camp the first few days, but there were a few snippets of information. The largest impact might have been a free agent signing by Ottawa, as it ended speculation of a possible return and solidified who is in the mix for a bottom-six spot.
Zac Jones did not have to participate in the rookie camp but he has taken the bull by the horns to try and earn a spot. He showed up 10 pounds heavier at 180 pounds, claiming he is a bit stronger, to try and address being pushed around last year. Jones, Matthew Roberston (see below) and Libor Hajek are in competition for the third pair, left side defense spot.
GM Chris Drury commented on Jones on Thursday “We certainly like where his game is at. He’s played some games. He had a good summer, offseason training. Looks like he’s put on some weight and some strength. We’re excited to see what he has, not only this weekend, but come main camp.”
"They gave me the option and I said I wanted to come," Jones said Wednesday at the MSG Training Center. "I take it as an advantage for me. Going into (NHL) camp, having these couple days of practice, getting a couple of games, I think it's going to really help me get my legs under me."
Drury has not ruled out adding a veteran blueliner, as he admitted they are still looking at defensemen, but did starte he is comfortable right now as to who is in camp. but as seen by the quote below, nothing is set in stone. Jones, Robertson, Hajek and Jarred Tinordi will get the first chance to earn the spot.
"We poked around on a few PTOs," Drury said. "Nothing really fit. We're still actively looking at some PTOs for defensemen, but we're pretty comfortable right now with who we have back there. Obviously, there’s the waiver wire that I'm sure every team looks at when that becomes available. We’ll be no different and keep an eye on that."
Matthew Robertson, like Jones, also came to camp a bit stronger in an attempt to show he deserves the spot. Jones is the shiftier, better puck-moving blueliner of the two. Robertson is more of a steady, stay-at-home defender. He's also much bigger than Jones at 6-foot-4, 201 pounds, which may give him an edge in the battle. But since whoever wins the spot will line up opposite Braden Schneider, having a d-man who can rush the puck and create next to the more stay-at-home player would not be a bad option. I give Jones a slight edge right now before regular camp opens.
Drury danced around the Nils Lundkvist question, not addressing the rumored trade request. He hopes the Swedish bluelier will show up, but admits he is not sure that will happen. Memo to Chris, don't expect Nils in camp, which is a mistake on his part despite the number in front of him on the right side.
The Rangers' GM also touched on Vitali Kravtsov on Thursday. Kravtsov could be an x-factor for the team. With NY up against the cap, cheap, productive players are a major key for this roster. Kravtsov projects as the third line right winger and if he can chip in 15-20 goals, that lengthen the lineup tremendously. Showing up early to work with the veterans indicates a better level of maturity than what we have seen in the past.
"He's on a great track," Drury said. "He chose voluntarily to come here very early in the summer – the earliest of anyone that doesn't live here already. So, that was obviously a great sign. He chose to do that. He's had a great summer training, skating. He looks good, mentally and physically."
Listening to Drury, it sure sounds like Jimmy Vesey, who will be in camp on a PTO, has a decent chance to earn a spot. Of course, this will depend on Gerard Gallant, but Vesey will get every opportunity to fill a bottom-six role. He is a long shot, but at the minimum salary, he fits what NY is trying to do on that line. Ryan Carpenter, Ryan Reaves, Dryden Hunt, Sammy Blais, Barclay Goodrow, Julien Gauthier, and Vesey all are in the mix for the fourth line, depending on how the top-nine is configured. One of Blais or Hunt could line up at the third line left wing, which steill leaves plenty of options for the bottom trio.
"Our scouts had a lot of interest in him coming in," he said. "The things he was able to do really well for Jersey last year excited us. Bottom six, big guy, physical player, had a really good year on the (penalty kill) – so, he’ll get a chance here to show us what he can do."
One player who now definitely won't be here is Tyler Motte, who signed a one-year, $1.35 million deal with Ottawa. While the analytics show that Motte and hun had similar metrics, Motte brought speed, resulting in a solid forecheck to the fourth line. A fluke injury cost him a ton of time down the stretch, but his return to the lineup helped jumpstart the Blueshirts. You know I wanted him back and his signing adds to a very solid offseason for the Senators.
Game action tonight, as the Rangers rookies take on the Flyers rookies Friday and Saturday. Hockey - at least a form of it - is back. We get our first look at Will Cuylle and Brennan Othmann this year as they try to earn roster spots for the 2022-23 season.
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