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Rangers Practice Report: McIlrath, Glass, Lundqvist to play against Jets
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Alain Vigneault made a huge statement after practice on Monday afternoon, announcing that Dylan McIlrath would make his season debut while veteran and $4.5 million defenseman Dan Boyle would be a healthy scratch.
Dan Boyle has not been all that impressive in the three games this season, picking up one assist and making at least one costly defensive miscue. During the home opener, Vigneault switched him and Kevin Klein, relating Boyle to the third pairing.
While he hasn’t been great, this is also about seeing what McIlrath can do. He made the team after a very strong preseason, and having him sit in the press box isn’t going to do him any good. The Rangers could use another defensively responsible, crease clearing physical defenseman on the ice.
This is also a big statement from Alain Vigneault. He’s showing that is doesn’t matter whether you’re a veteran or have a big salary. There are other options throughout the lineup. If Boyle isn’t playing well and if he still isn’t fitting into the system, then McIlrath can come in and steal some games from him. Read the rest of this entry
Six Questions the Rangers face heading into opening night
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Each season, fans and analysts have plenty of questions regarding their team as the season draws near. The Rangers are no different. While the preseason answered the questions about depth, lines and defensive pairings, a lot remains unanswered.
This is a very important year for the franchise, with new GM Jeff Gorton at the helm and the Rangers looking to get oven the final hurdle and win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1994.
Here are some of the biggest questions that the Rangers face heading into the 2015-16 season. Read the rest of this entry
McIlrath, Lindberg proving their worth, lineup for final preseason game
Bobby Bevilacqua
Dylan McIlrath and Oscar Lindberg are two rookies who are seriously pushing for am opening night roster spot. Photos courtesy of MSG Photos.
It’s going to be very tough for Alain Vigneault to go against the youth movement for this upcoming season.
Like Anthony Duclair did last season in training camp, Oscar Lindberg and Dylan McIlrath, both rookies, have opened the eyes of the coaching staff, make a significant case for them to be on the opening night roster.
The strong performances from many of the youngsters has Vigneault perplexed too, stating that he has not finalized the roster heading into the final preseason game tonight against the Boston Bruins.
“I can tell you right now we have not come up with a definite answer yet,” Vigneault told Blueshirts United. “These are all questions we are right now debating within our group. This player brings this element, this player brings that element. How do we look with a certain guy in the lineup? Young versus older? We’re working through the process and I can tell you right now we haven’t come up with a definite answer on any of those things.” Read the rest of this entry
NHL Division Preview: The Metropolitan
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Capitals will be two of the Metropolitan’s best teams this season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The upcoming NHL season is less than two weeks away, and the excitement is palpable. The rosters are almost finalized, preseason is almost over, and the grind for a Stanley Cup Championship is about to begin.
This is the first post in a series of four where I will preview each division in the NHL, make my predictions, and choose who I think will be in the playoffs. There will be an article for each division in the league.
The Metropolitan Division is shaping up to be the best in the entire league. Many of the teams have either maintained their strong roster or drastically improved, meaning that this division is very likely to send five teams to the playoffs.
The Rangers were the champions of the Metropolitan last season, in the regular season and after the first two rounds, and they’ll look to defend their divisional prowess against some surging teams such as the Penguins, the Capitals, and the Islanders. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers continue with fourth round of cuts, Raanta designated as backup
Bobby Bevilacqua
Raphael Diaz is one of the players that has made the final roster cuts. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers made a few more significant cuts following their win over the New Jersey Devils, cutting down the roster to just 25 players; 15 forwards, eight defenseman and two goalies. Vigneault will have to cut two more forwards and likely one defenseman.
The Rangers reassigned Luke Adam, Ryan Bourque, Brian Gibbons, Ryan Graves, Chris Summers, Mat Bodie, Brady Skjei and Magnus Hellberg, and they will report to Hartford’s training camp.
Vigneault’s latest roster moves means that we’re in the final stages of the cuts. Dylan McIlrath is still fighting for a spot and Jayson Megna, Oscar Lindberg and Jarret Stoll are still looking to get Tanner Glass out of the lineup. Read the rest of this entry
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