Rangers Start Camp

The Rangers will finally open camp later this morning, and it will probably start with a conditioning skate as well as physicals  The big surprise, so far is that the Rangers have not made an overt move to help their D.  Sure, they added Holden, and Skjei will most likely make the team.  But they still have two expensive placeholders in Girardi and Staal, and they've done nothing to add a puck mover, which should have been their first order of business after they passed on Keith Yandle.  Maybe something can still be done, as they have a plethora of Forwards and the need for only 12-15.

Speaking of Forwards,  four of the most interesting players in camp will no doubt be Vesey, Buchnevich, Kovaks and Strollman. They've all shown a lot to get excited about, and while the first pair are most likely to make the team, the Swedes could electrify the AHL while they're there.

At Center, Boo Nieves seems to have really improved.  Not only is he bigger and stronger, but he's still a great and speedy skater.  He may or may not make the team.  Mika Zibanejad will have a chance to make Gorton look like a genius -- or not if the fit's not there.  Beyond that Stepan will be back as the 1 or 1A, while the third C will be Hayes, with Oscar (when he gets back), Jooris, and maybe JT Miller waiting in the wings.  JT still has a C's game, but is probably bound for a wing.  Steven Fogarty is likely to start the season in the AHL, though his solid play in both ends could make him an ideal 4th line stalwart.

The D will probably be McD and Skjei, Klein and McIlrath, Girardi and Staal, unless they want to spread out the risk but pairing each liability with a younger skater, with Holden being the 7th guy.  No one from the farm seems ready, though Graves could become so at some point this year, and John Gilmour, the less celebrated college kid the Rangers signed this offseason, was sharp in the Traverse City Tourney and could make a move.

They'll probably pace Hank through the preseason and have Raanta, Hellberg and Skapski getting most of the work.  Skapski still has upside if he's healthy.  Halverson and Malcolm will also get some work but are further off.

Most of the recent draftpicks will also be on hand and it should be a spirited camp, given how many players have a lot they need to prove.

And I still expect a trade for a puckmoving D.