BREAKING: Rangers set lines for practice, and likely season; Diaz and Megna waived
Bobby Bevilacqua
Oscar Lindberg (L) and Viktor Stalberg look on during the preseason game against the Bruins. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Although nothing is official yet, it appears that we have the finalized Rangers roster heading into the season opener.
Here are the lines from today’s morning practice:
Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Kevin Hayes
Viktor Stalbreg-Oscar Lindberg-JT Miller
Dominic Moore-Jarret Stoll-Jesper Fast
Spare: Emerson Etem
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Dan Boyle
Keith Yandle-Kevin Klein
Spare: Dylan McIlrath
On top of this news, it was also announced by reporters that Jayson Megna and Raphael Diaz have been waived, and if they clear, the two will report to Hartford’s training camp.
Breaking: Hearing Rangers have waived Diaz, Megna. So it appears McIlrath has made the cut
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) October 2, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsTanner Glass was not recently on the ice for practice, but was apparently out earlier before getting hit by a shot. Steve Zipay reported that the Rangers were exploring trade possibilities, not specifying who. I don’t think that the team would trade Emerson Etem, because they gave up the rights for Hagelin to get him, so Glass makes sense within this rumor.
Rangers also appear to be exploring trades…
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) October 2, 2015
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The Philadelphia Flyers were able to get a third round pick for Zac Rinaldo, an enforcer with little offensive upside. The Rangers should be able to get a draft pick for Tanner Glass, and clearing $1.45 million in cap space would be extremely helpful.
Looking at this roster, I am extremely happy with the personnel decisions made by Vigneault, his coaching staff, and the management. I believe Dylan McIlrath truly made an impression during training camp. After all of the injuries and setbacks he’s experienced, he deserves his shot.
Oscar Lindberg had as good of a camp as anyone on the team, but for a rookie, it was very impressive. He’s fully capable of handling third line center duties, and his prowess in the faceoff circle should be very beneficial. His 28-28-56 stat line from last year’s AHL season proves that he can be an effective offensive play as well. Viktor Stalberg had a fantastic camp as well, and that third line seems very promising and pretty quick. I expect big things from JT Miller too.
It seems the question about Kevin Hayes and his position is answered, and he will play on the second line with Kreider and Stepan. This will give him more offensive time, and with Hayes’ skill, he too could be ready for an improved season.
Follow @The_RangerZone on Twitter for any breaking news updates, and stay tuned to the website to follow up on today’s open practice.Top of Form
Posted on October 2, 2015, in Rangers Updates and tagged Chris Kreider, Dan Boyle, Dan Girardi, Derek Stepan, Derick Brassard, Dominic Moore, Dylan McIlrath, Emerson Etem, Jarret Stoll, Jesper Fast, JT Miller, Keith Yandle, Kevin Hayes, Kevin Klein, Madison Square Garden, Marc Staal, Mats Zuccarello, MSG, New York Rangers, New York Rangers blog, New York Rangers roster, NHL, NHL 2015, NHL Trade Rumors, NYR, Oscar Lindberg, Rangers, Rangers blog, Rangers Season Opener, Rick Nash, Ryan McDonagh, Tanner Glass trade, Viktor Stalbreg. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
therangerzone.com 
I don’t understand how everyone wants to hand over the teams depth to a rookie with one game of NHL experience. The Rangers will essentially become a two line team without Hayes at Center. That line begins 60% of their shifts in the offensive zone. That a lot of responsibility to hand to a rookie. The Rangers centerman are all 200lbs or less without Hayes there. How do the Rangers hang with the teams in the West like LA and Annaheim? They have a bunch of 220+ pound pivots?
There’s too many reasons to keep Lindberg on the wing and Hayes at Center. The Rangers have a ton of size and depth on the wing. In the middle however, they don’t. Is Lindberg a lock to score 45 points this season?
I’d say it’s a better bet that Hayes can equal or beat that this season. Without a good scoring pivot in the middle, a line won’t be at its best. Look at the Wild, they have a ton of skill on the flanks but no good centre depth.
Lindberg would be best served by cutting his teeth in the NHL on the wing first. The defensive responsibilities are much easier and he could focus on offense more.
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