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[New York Rangers]

Top 2025 draft pick praised after preseason debut with Rangers archrival

Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesKirby Lee-Imagn Images

It’s looking like the New York Rangers will have a major thorn side in their side for years to come. That’s after Matthew Schaefer exploded on the NHL scene with a terrific all-around performance in his first preseason game with the New York Islanders on Sunday.

The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, who turned 18 less than three weeks ago, drew rave reviews from far and wide after the Isles’ 3-2 shootout loss (in 11 rounds) to the Philadelphia Flyers at UBS Arena.

“He’s going to be one of, if not the best defensemen in the League, I think, based off his instincts,” Islanders center Mathew Barzal stated postgame. “He’s got it.”

Barzal, of course, knows a thing or two about breaking into the NHL and achieving stardom right away. As a 20-year-old in 2017-18, Barzal put up 85 points (22 goals, 63 assists) and won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

Matthew Schaefer loooks good in blue and orange pic.twitter.com/O5EDJaA5ml

— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) September 22, 2025

Islanders fans certainly love hearing that kind of talk. They welcomed their new hero by loudly cheering for Schaefer and chanting his name throughout his (unofficial) NHL debut.

“Definitely got shivers,” the youngster admitted afterward. “We thought it was for [defense partner Scott Mayfield], but I guess it was for me. Obviously, you get chills.”

Of course, the chants will be quite different when Schaefer crosses over into Manhattan to play at Madison Square Garden, which could happen as early as Thursday night when the Rangers host their biggest rival in a preseason game. After all, you know how another former No. 1 overall pick who played defense for the Islanders is treated to this day by the Blueshirts Faithful.

We suppose you’ve heard of Denis Potvin, the first player taken in the 1973 draft. Rangers fans still haven’t forgotten him.

Like Potvin, Schaefer has the potential to be a major pain in the butt for the Rangers for years to come.

Related: Key Rangers takeaways from 5-3 win against Devils in preseason opener

Rangers rival has star in the making with Matthew Schaefer​

Palmieri nets it! Schaefer and Mayfield with the assists! pic.twitter.com/WPr6iEogG3

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 22, 2025

Schaefer logged 24:39 total TOI and recorded an assist on the Islanders’ first goal of the contest, scored by veteran forward Kyle Palmieri. He skated a majority of his shifts next to Mayfield and tied for the team lead with five shots on goal.

His role in the preseason contest was far from limited. He earned 1:23 power-play TOI and 2:06 on the PK, not to mention he took the fourth shot in the shootout for the Islanders.

Schaefer also opened eyes with an incredible backcheck, chasing down Flyers scoring sensation Matvei Michkov in overtime.

Just an absolutely insane defensive backcheck from Matthew Schaefer on Matvei Michkov

In the first overall pick’s first NHL game too

(via @OSulr81) pic.twitter.com/CqRBhSJOdg

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) September 22, 2025

“I thought he was really good … It’s pretty exciting to see him play,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. “The backcheck that he made against their guy on the breakaway [in overtime], it was out of this world.”

Of course, the adjustment to the big leagues comes with some growing pains. The excited youngster took two penalties and, on his second shift, sent an errant pass that directly resulted in a Flyers goal.

But overall it was an impressive debut.

Related: Alexis Lafreniere eager to rebound under new Rangers coach Mike Sullivan

“It was fun to watch. He’s only 18 years old, but it’s pretty impressive to see him play the way he’s playing,” Roy said. “The fans love him.”

Schaefer was the first of three first-round picks in the 2025 draft; they added forward Viktor Eklund with the No. 16 selection and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson at No. 17 following a trade that sent their best offensive defenseman. Noah Dobson, to the Montreal Canadiens.

Rangers fans may get their first look at Schaefer this week. It won’t be their last.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...-in-draft-praised-after-debut-with-archrival/

 

[New York Rangers]

3 things to watch for when Rangers host Bruins in preseason clash at MSG

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn ImagesDennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

The boys are back home, albeit for a preseason game, when the New York Rangers host the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

It’ll be their second preseason contest, and first game of any kind on home ice since they closed their dismal 2024-25 season with a 4-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 17. Now, five months later, they’ve got a new coach, clean slate, and plenty of motivation ahead of a new season.

The Rangers are coming off a 5-3 road win over the New Jersey Devils in their preseason opener Sunday. Seven skaters who dressed in that victory are in the lineup Tuesday, including six forwards: Anton Blidh, Justin Dowling, Noah Laba, Brennan Othmann, Juuso Parssinen, and Gabe Perreault. Rookie Scott Morrow is the only defenseman playing in consecutive games.

Igor Shesterkin didn’t make the trek across the Hudson River over the weekend. But the Rangers No. 1 goalie will start on home ice against the Bruins. Adam Fox, Will Cuylle, and Vladislav Gavrikov are other high-profile Rangers making their preseason debuts.

On tonight: pic.twitter.com/IqelIt5DBv

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 23, 2025

That said, let’s dive into several important things to watch for when the Rangers host the Bruins in their preseason game at MSG on Tuesday.

Related: Rangers’ Brennan Othmann avoids hearing, suspension after major penalty

1. Artemi Panarin among Rangers big guns out again​

Let’s start with who we won’t see in the Rangers’ lineup. Each of their big guns up front will sit it out again Tuesday. That means no Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, nor Vincent Trocheck.

Panarin remains day to day with a lower-body injury. However, there was a small update Tuesday morning that the Breadman is skating on his own. So, his return to practice should come soon.

Like Panarin, the other four are lineup locks. Coach Mike Sullivan chose to get a longer look at other forwards competing for spots, as well as younger players who might help down the road.

It is a bit of a surprise that veteran defenseman Carson Soucy didn’t play in either of the first two preseason games. And in a precautionary move, Braden Schneider is being held out of at least the first three preseason contests following offseason shoulder surgery.

2. First look at Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov on top defense pair​

Been waiting for this moment since Gavrikov signed a seven-year, $49 million contract in free agency July 1. It’s only a preseason game, but actually getting to watch Fox and Gavrikov partner on the same defense pairing is a big deal.

Sure, Ryan Lindgren complemented Fox’s game nicely for several seasons. But Gavrikov? We’re talking about a true top-pair shutdown defenseman, one of the best in the League at what he does. Put him on the left side of Fox, and let’s see how this elevates the former Norris Trophy winner’s game even more.

Vladislav Gavrikov — calm, positional, quietly elite. Exactly the steady presence this blue line needed. #NYR pic.twitter.com/I9EULIq8hU

— Jennifer O'Regan (@Jenny_ORegan) September 20, 2025

This could be the best No. 1 pair the Rangers have had since, dare we say, Brian Leetch and Jeff Beukeboom in their Stanley Cup heyday. Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, or Ryan McDonagh and Girardi, in the 2010s? Solid, for sure. But we’re talking about a whole other level here. And we get our first look Tuesday night.

3. Rangers run it back with the kids​

Sullivan’s going to give Perreault, Othmann, Morrow, and Laba each a long look in training camp and the preseason. They were easily the four best players at Rangers rookie camp and in two games against Philadelphia Flyers prospects earlier in the month. Each has the chance to make the opening-night roster or help the Rangers at some point this season.

Assuming Zibanejad starts the season playing right wing on a line with Miller, that leaves Perreault and Othmann competing for likely one spot on the wing of the third line. But it’s not just the former first-round picks competing against each other. There’s veteran Conor Sheary, who’s in camp on a PTO and had a terrific game against the Devils; Brett Berard, who just might have the edge to land a third-line role; and versatile veteran Jonny Brodzinski.

Othmann was the better player against the Flyers, but Perreault scored against the Devils. Let’s see which one plays better against the Bruins.

Gabe with the first of the preseason from the slot. pic.twitter.com/yQoBN07Yoc

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 21, 2025

Laba looks the part of someone who can handle the 3C role. He does so many things well on both sides of the puck. However, he’s a long shot to beat out Juuso Parssinen or Brodzinski for that specific role to begin the season. But if the 22-year-old continues to show well in preseason, don’t be surprised if he lands on Broadway sooner rather than later this season.

The good outweighed the bad with Morrow against the Devils, though there were instances of each. The 22-year-old needs work on his defensive game, for sure, but he he makes excellent reads offensively, moves the puck quickly and decisively, and scored a goal against the Devils. He needs to prove he can play defense adequately in the NHL to land in the top six, though.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-boston-bruins-preseason-preview/

 

[New York Rangers]

Key takeaways after Rangers blow lead in 5-4 OT preseason loss to Bruins

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

It’s a good thing for the New York Rangers that preseason games don’t count. If they did, new coach Mike Sullivan would have been furious after watching his team blow a three-goal lead in the third period and lose 5-4 in overtime to the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

The 16,149 fans who welcomed the Rangers to the Garden for their first preseason game couldn’t be blamed thinking this one was in the bag after 40 minutes. Two days after a three-goal second period helped them beat the New Jersey Devils 5-3 in their preseason opener, the Rangers got second-period goals by Gabe Perreault, Sam Carrick and Vladislav Gavrikov to grab a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes.

But the Bruins, who were nearly as disappointing as the Rangers last season, took total command in the third period. Michael Eyssimont made it 4-2 by scoring a shorthanded goal at 7:05 after stripping the puck from Adam Fox, then cut the margin to one goal at 11:11. Marat Khusnutdinov converted a pass from Eyssimont at 18:55 for a sixth-attacker goal that sent the game to overtime tied 4-4.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Rangers killed off a power play in overtime before Khusnutdinov sent defenseman Nikita Zadorov into the Rangers zone, where he spun off of defenseman Matthew Robertson before beating Talyn Boyko, who didn’t help his case for avoiding a return to the ECHL by allowing four goals on 24 shots.

“Of course it does,” coach Mike Sullivan said when asked whether the result of a meaningless preseason game bothered him. “I told that to the players after the game. It’s not about the loss; it’s about how we lost. That’s the most important thing.”

The good news for the Rangers, aside from most of the first 40 minutes, was that Igor Shesterkin was sharp in his first appearance. Shesterkin made 10 saves on 11 shots in 29:53; he had no chance on Matej Blumel’s game-opening goal at 8:30 of the first period.

Brett with the feed and Fix-Wolansky buries it. pic.twitter.com/ql8meWzApv

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 23, 2025

But Trey Fix-Wolansky tied the game 44 seconds later, and the Rangers dominated the second period, outshooting Boston 18-7 and scoring three times. Gabe Perreault put the, ahead 2-1 at 3:25 off a superb feed by Will Cuylle, Sam Carrick capitalized on a Boston turnover and scored an unassisted goal at 9:53, and Vladislav Gavrikov finished off a 3-on-2 shorthanded rush with a wrist shot past Joonas Korpisalo at 11:08 for a 4-1 lead.

Rookie center Noah Laba had two assists, continuing his impressive play.

Let’s break down the key Rangers takeaways from their 5-4 preseason overtime loss to the Bruins on Tuesday.

Gabe Perreault helps his case for roster spot​

Perreault is the Rangers’ top prospect, and he continued to show why by making it two goals in as many games this far in the preseason.

His snipe from the left circle was a thing of beauty.

“It was a great play by (Cuylle) in the neutral zone there. I saw some space, tried to rip one in the net and I was lucky enough that it went in. … The forecheck of our line has been really good, but obviously in the third period we didn’t get enough from myself and the team in general. But we did a lot of good things in the first two periods.”

Right on target. pic.twitter.com/IVzxK4pInq

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 24, 2025

Sullivan has been impressed with what he’s seen so far.

“He seems to get better with each game he plays,” the coach said. “We really liked his game in New Jersey the other day. We liked his follow-up game tonight.”

The only disappointment for Perreault was the final score.

“It’s pretty simple: You can’t stop playing,” he said. “We were definitely the better team in the first two periods, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to win the game. Myself and everyone else need to be better in the third. A lot of things to learn from.”

Vladislav Gavrikov shows why Rangers wanted him​

The score sheet says Gavrikov had a goal, two blocked shots and was plus-2 in a team-leading 23:51 of ice time in his first game playing the left side of the top defense pairing with Fox, earning the game’s Third Star.

What it doesn’t show is that the Rangers’ biggest free-agent signing started the play that led to Perreault’s goal by breaking up a play at the Boston blue line, freeing the puck for Cuylle to set up the go-ahead goal. It also doesn’t show the smarts that led to his goal; Gavrikov came late to give the Rangers a 3-on-2 shorthanded rush, gave Laba a target and beat Korpisalo cleanly with a wrist shot.

Gavrikov buries the shorty. pic.twitter.com/73dABnhida

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 24, 2025

If his first game as a Ranger is any indication, Gavrikov is going to be just what the Rangers need to complement Fox – the same role that Dale Rolfe played for Brad Park in the 1970s and Jeff Beukeboom did for Brian Leetch in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Noah Laba could be NHL-ready sooner than expected​

Laba is the team scoring leader through two preseason games with three points, all assists, including two against the Bruins.

He started the play that ended up as the Rangers’ first goal by picking off a pass just inside the Boston blue line and finding Brett Berard, who slipped a pass to Fix-Wolansky. He had the only assist on Gavrikov’s goal, again picking off a pass and leading the rush. He drew the defense to him, saw Gavrikov coming and fed him for the goal.

“He’s been grinding every single practice,” Gavrikov said of Laba. “I’m happy to see him performing that good.”

So what does the 22-year-old think he’s shown the coaching staff so far?

“A 200-foot game, playing both sides of the puck, trying to create time and space for my teammates and help the team win,” he said. “They demand a lot, as they should. They want you to play hard in the defensive zone as well as forecheck hard, create O-zone chances and at the end of the day, shoot the puck, shoot to score.”

Laba also said he’s getting more comfortable as he gets more ice time.

“I feel good,” he said. “It’s an adjustment, for sure, after getting the last game under my belt I’m feeling a little more comfortable this game than I did last game.”

Sullivan not pleased with third-period collapse​

Preseason game or not, no coach likes to see his team blow a three-goal lead in the third period. Sullivan is no exception.

“At the end of the day, I get it – it’s an exhibition game,” he said. “We haven’t worked on a lot of things; we’re a work in progress. But I think the takeaway is that we need to expect more from one another.

“If we’re going to make mistakes of enthusiasm out there, we’ll live with those. – we’ll work through them, we’ll help the players work through them. But I just thought there were circumstances where we beat ourselves a little bit. I know we’re better than that.”

Sullivan also said one thing he wants to work on during the preseason is setting a standard. Suffice it to say this game wasn’t the kind of standard he had in mind.

“One of the things we talked about on day one was the responsibility we all have to live up to and set a standard here – a standard of excellence we all aspire to have in the environment every day. For me, that’s the most important thing – living up to that standard, and ultimately that standard becomes what we’re willing to accept. “So if we’re willing to accept this, where do we go from here. That’s the conversation we had with the group afterwards.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...key-takeaways-in-ot-preseason-loss-to-bruins/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Rangers coach believes Gabe Perreault ‘an NHL player in the making’

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The best news for the New York Rangers from their first two preseason games is the performance of their top prospect.

Gabe Perreault looks like a future star, which is what the Rangers hope he’ll become. The first-round pick (No. 23 overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft scored scored goals in each of New York’s first two preseason contests, including a snipe from the left circle on Tuesday in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden.

Right on target. pic.twitter.com/IVzxK4pInq

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 24, 2025

If the son of former NHL center Yanic Perreault continues to play this way during the rest of the preseason, he’s going to make it tough for the Rangers not to put him on the opening night roster. He and Brennan Othmann are likely in a battle for one spot among the 22 or 23 players who will break camp with the team. Veteran forward Conor Sheary, who’s in camp on a PTO and also scored Sunday, and Brett Berard are among the other forwards competing in camp. Jonny Brodzinski likely will be the 13th forward, if not in a bottom-six role.

Othmann outplayed Perreault in the two rookie games against the Philadelphia Flyers and was arguably the Rangers best player. However, Perreault has been more productive and much more noticeable on the ice against NHL players.

“Obviously, I think Gabe has NHL talent. I think that’s on display,” Sullivan said postgame Tuesday. “He’s a really talented kid and I think he’s a terrific hockey player. He’s young, and in my experience of coaching young players like that, a lot of it is just about the thankless jobs – knowing when to put a puck deep, defensive responsibilities, awareness in the defensive zone and then strength, just being strong on puck battles. He sees it extremely well.

“My impression of him, in just watching him, is that he’s an NHL player in the making.”

Related: Key takeaways after Rangers blow lead in 5-4 OT preseason loss to Bruins

Rangers weighing options with Gabe Perreault this season​

Perreault’s hockey smarts are his greatest attribute. His on-ice vision helps compensate for his lack of size (5-11 and 180 pounds) and a perceived lack of foot speed. But adding strength is doable, and NHL history is full of players who’ve bettered their skating on the way to stardom – John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs is a current example.

Having a father who was a longtime NHL player doesn’t hurt.

“He was my coach growing up, and that’s one of the things he always said to me: ‘Make plays,’” Perreault told The Athletic, which rated him as the Rangers No. 1 prospect. “He was a super smart player, and I think a lot of my smarts come from him.”

Ideally, Perreault will find a spot in the top six. But with New York’s first two lines loaded with veterans, the question is whether the Rangers would be better off giving him more ice time at Hartford, their American Hockey League affiliate, or on the third line in New York (his size pretty much precludes a fourth-line role).

Gabe with the first of the preseason from the slot. pic.twitter.com/yQoBN07Yoc

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 21, 2025

“I don’t think he needs to be a top-six player,” Sullivan said when asked where the 20-year-old should start the season. “I think it’s important that he gets minutes and that he plays, because it’s probably in the best interest of his overall development, which would, in turn, be in the best interest of the New York Rangers. Whether that takes place in New York or in Hartford (is) yet to be determined.

“I think he plays with courage; he’s willing to go into the battle areas. I think he can get a little bit stronger, and that’s going to help him. But we’ve been really encouraged with his game.”

Perreault still needs to work on his defensive game. Per Natural Stat Trick, for example, the Rangers had a 38.67 percent expected goals rate with Perreault on ice against the Bruins. They were outscored 3-1 with him out there Tuesday, including a short-handed goal that was more Adam Fox’s fault than his.

So, he is a work in progress, as most 20-year-olds are. But the kid is a fairly elite offensive talent, even if he failed to record a point in his first five NHL games late last season.

After setting the U.S. National Team Development Program record with 132 points (53 goals, 79 assists) in 63 games during his draft year, Perreault piled up 108 points (35 goals, 73 assists) in 73 games during his two seasons at Boston College. He also had three goals and 10 points for Team USA in each of the past two World Junior Championships, helping the Americans win gold each time.

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Sullivan said he and his staff are still trying to decide what’s best for Perreault and the Rangers, for both the short and long term.

“As I said, we’re really encouraged with his game,” Sullivan said. “He seems to get better with each game he plays. We really liked his game in New Jersey the other day. We liked his follow-up game tonight. We’re trying to reserve judgement and let the camp unfold here, and with each experience we go through, we learn a little bit more about all the players.

“But that’s always going to be the question with young players – what’s going to be the best formula for that player to ultimately become the impact player that we all foresee him to be. Is it playing lots of minutes at the American League level, or is it playing at the NHL level? I don’t know that there’s an exact formula for that.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-top-prospect-gabe-perreault-update/

 

[New York Rangers]

Noah Laba, Matt Rempe ‘strong on pucks,’ draw praise from Rangers coach

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

New York Rangers coach Mike Sullivan likes what he sees from two of his young bottom-six forwards during the first week of training camp.

Rookie center Noah Laba and towering forward Matt Rempe drew praise from the coach on Wednesday, one day after the Rangers failed to hold a three-goal lead in the third period against the Boston Bruins and lost 5-4 in overtime at Madison Square Garden.

Laba had two assists against the Bruins, giving him three in the Rangers’ first two preseason games. The 22-year-old, who signed with the Rangers in March after three seasons at Colorado College, had three goals and five points in 11 games with Hartford of the American Hockey League in his first taste of pro hockey last spring. He figured to be a long shot to make the opening night roster, but Sullivan doesn’t sound like he’s ruling that out.

A peek into today’s #NYR scrimmage, Noah Laba skating between Gabe Perreault and Brett Berard.

He’s definitely caught my attention this training camp. He’s looked good. pic.twitter.com/YXPidPTPE9

— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) September 20, 2025

“That might be too early to have that conversation at this point,” he said when asked about Laba sticking with the Rangers out of camp. “He certainly has performed very well in this early part of camp, and we feel he’s getting better with every game he plays.

“Whether or not he makes the opening night roster, time will tell. I think it’s too early; it would be premature to weigh in on that at this point. I’m reluctant to make any sort of predictions at this point. I try to reserve judgement and let the camp unfold.”

Laba’s efforts already made an impression on one veteran teammate, defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, who converted a feed from Laba into a short-handed goal against Boston.

Gavrikov buries the shorty. pic.twitter.com/73dABnhida

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 24, 2025

“Perfect,” he said of Laba’s play so far. “He’s been grinding every single practice. I’m happy to see him performing that good.”

One thing that should help Laba’s future prospects is his size. At 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, he brings the size down the middle that NHL teams crave.

“I think his physical stature sets him up for an opportunity to compete in the NHL,” Sullivan said. “He’s big, he’s strong and he can skate. For some players (who) are making the jump, that’s the first hurdle. I think ‘Labs’ has an NHL body in the sense that he’s big and strong and can skate. There’s a lot of other elements that go into playing in the NHL, but we’re certainly encouraged by what we’ve seen so far.”

With Mika Zibanejad moved to wing on a line centered by J.T. Miller, there’s an opening at third-line center. Is Laba a candidate for the job?

“Labs is one of them, for sure,” Sullivan said after practice. “With each game we play and each practice we have, we learn a little more about the group we have.

“I think Labs has performed extremely well. When I watched him at the rookie tournament to where he is right now, I feel like he’s taken a big, giant step with his pace of play, how quickly he thinks it.”

Laba said after Tuesday’s game that he’s settling in.

“A 200-foot game, playing both sides of the puck, trying to create time and space for my teammates and help the team win,” he replied when asked what the coaches have said they want from him. “They demand a lot, as they should. They want you to play hard in the defensive zone as well as forecheck hard, create O-zone chances and at the end of the day, shoot the puck, shoot to score.”

1ST GAME, 1ST PRO GOAL FOR NOAH LABA!!!!

1-1 | 11:43 remaining in the 1st pic.twitter.com/VrBBeVZbBf

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) March 21, 2025

If there’s one thing Sullivan and his staff want to change about the Rangers from last season, it’s that they were often too easy to play against. Laba’s size and compete level have impressed the new coach.

“Last night in particular, getting his nose over pucks, creating separation on pucks in the defensive zone, down low. He has the ability to do that because he’s big and strong,” Sullivan said. “That’s an important element of being hard to play against, and the role that if you were to play on this team, that would be a welcome addition.”

Related: Why Rangers will play ‘hybrid game’ style under coach Mike Sullivan

Matt Rempe showing skill to go along with his size​

Of course, when the issue of size on the Rangers is brought up, the first name mentioned is Rempe – who’s listed at 6-foot-9 and 261 pounds. Sullivan said the 23-year-old looks like a player who can be more than just a guy who drops the gloves on occasion and continues to work hard to improve his hockey skills.

“Yes,” was Sullivan’s response when asked if Rempe looks to be making himself into an all-around player. “I think he can skate. … His pace is really strong. He has a strong stride. He’s really strong on pucks. Sometimes as a bigger guy, it’s hard in the puck battles, when you’re in the battle areas, because players get underneath you – their center of gravity is lower than yours. Players can get underneath you, under your hands, things of that nature, and make it hard to protect pucks.”

Rempe didn’t dress Tuesday after picking up the lone assist on Dylan Roobroeck’s goal in a 5-3 win against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. He worked hard on his hockey skills during the offseason, and Sullivan feels that work is paying off.

“He’s strong on pucks, he protects pucks well,” he said. “I think he has the ability to make a play. His willingness to go to the net front and battle for rebounds, make the sight lines difficult for the goaltender – all those things are invaluable to manufacture offense. I think he really has the ability to help us with momentum, just as far as controlling territory, wearing teams down, making it hard on our opponents’ defensemen in the down-low game.

“I feel he has the potential to manufacture offense with some of the game he’s played to this point. I’ve been really encouraged when I watch him play. He’s in great shape, but he’s strong and he’s strong on pucks. He’s ‘hockey strong’ – there’s a difference. He has functional strength on the ice, just with how stiff he is on pucks and in battles and using his body to protect it.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/mike-sullivan-praises-laba-rempe-rangers/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers vs. Islanders: What to watch, including J.T. Miller preseason debut

Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesBrad Penner-Imagn Images

For the first time since he was named team captain last week, J.T. Miller takes to the Madison Square Garden ice wearing the C on Thursday night, when the New York Rangers host the New York Islanders.

It’s the Rangers third preseason game, but the first for Miller and several other veterans. Forwards Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere also make their preseason debuts, as does defenseman Carson Soucy.

Tonight's roster: pic.twitter.com/bGlgSSKCcI

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 25, 2025

The Rangers are 1-0-1 in the preseason. A 5-3 road win over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday preceded a 5-4 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins at MSG on Tuesday. The Rangers blew a three-goal lead in the third period, and surrendered the final four goals against the Bruins.

Even though it was a preseason contest, coach Mike Sullivan wasn’t happy with how the Rangers lost that game. He relayed that message loud and clear to the Rangers after the loss. The expectations and standard are higher, whether in preseason, regular season, or Stanley Cup Playoffs.

So, they get after it again Thursday, this time against the Islanders (0-1-1). It doesn’t appear that they’ll see No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer, who’s not expected to play. The 18-year-old defenseman made a helluva first on-ice impression in his preseason debut last week and should be a lock to start the season in the NHL.

Gearing up for (preseason) game time. pic.twitter.com/wviPo21WNh

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 25, 2025

Highly-touted rookie Calum Ritchie is in the Islanders lineup Thursday, and David Rittich starts between the pipes. Goalie Jonathan Quick makes his second preseason appearance for the Rangers.

Here are some things to watch for when the Rangers host the Islanders in preseason action Thursday.

Related: Rangers Daily: Rising expectations; Preseason injuries mount in NHL

1. Competition continues, ramps up for Rangers rookies​

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

For the third straight preseason game, rookie forwards Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann, and Noah Laba are in the Rangers lineup. Perreault and Othmann likely are competing for one roster spot on the wing. And Laba is trying to win the 3C role, with Juuso Parssinen his most serious competitor.

Perreault scored a goal in each of the first two preseason contests. The 20-year-old gets the chance to skate on the top line with Miller and Zibanejad against the Islanders, a major opportunity to prove that he can keep up with two of the best forwards on the Rangers roster.

Right on target. pic.twitter.com/IVzxK4pInq

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 24, 2025

Othmann had an outstanding rookie camp and excelled in two games against Philadelphia Flyers prospects. But the 22-year-old is pointless in two preseason games. Othmann avoided a hearing with NHL player safety after he was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for elbowing Sunday, and followed that up with a fairly physical showing against the Bruins. Let’s see what he does Thursday, skating in the top six alongside Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere, with Artemi Panarin (lower body) still sidelined day to day.

Laba has three assists in two preseason games and played a really strong two-way game. The 22-year-old’s impressed Sullivan throughout camp. Though a long shot, Laba’s got himself in the mix to possibly center the third line. That’s what he’ll do Thursday, skating between Brett Berard and Conor Sheary.

It should be noted that Berard is also competing for a role on the wing in the bottom six and comes off a solid showing against the Bruins.

2. Conor Sheary tries to force Rangers hand again​

Then there’s Sheary, the diminutive 33-year-old forward who’s trying to force the Rangers hand to keep him on the roster. The two-time Stanley Cup winner under Sullivan with the Pittsburgh Penguins is in camp on a PTO and looked like a real good third-line fit Sunday. He was the best player on the ice against the Devils, scoring on a breakaway, creating numerous scoring chances, and excelling at both ends in a strong 200-foot showing.

Conor Sheary on the breakaway

(via @NYRangers)pic.twitter.com/3jErgdLqyH

— SleeperNHL (@SleeperNHL) September 21, 2025

The Rangers likely prefer if one — or several — of the younger forwards force their way on to the roster. But Sheary’s got the experience championship pedigree, drive, and relationship with Sullivan going his way.

He’s the safety net here. The question is if he can prove more useful if the kids continue to play well.

3. Rangers go big​

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

New York’s regular fourth-line center Sam Carrick gets the night off, so 21-year-old Dylan Roobroeck takes his spot between Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom. If you’re thinking this is more like the Knicks than the Rangers, get used to it.

Sullivan deployed a mammoth line combination of Rempe (6-foot-9), Roobroeck (6-foot-7), and Nathan Aspinall (6-foot-5) against the Devils. Now, Edstrom (6-foot-7) steps in for Aspinall, to add a couple more inches to the trio.

“That might be the biggest line I’ve coached,” Sullivan said pregame. “I just think size is hard to play against. They’re big, they’re long, they’re rangy, they lean on people.”

The Rangers sure do love drafting towering forwards. And it’s interesting to see how well these combinations have fared so far, now that these kids are developing and growing up.

That defense pair of Soucy (6-foot-5) and Will Borgen (6-foot-3) is not exactly tiny either. Look for the Rangers to go big Thursday against the Islanders.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-islanders-preseason-game-preview/

 

[New York Rangers]

Key takeaways after Rangers blow another lead, lose 5-4 to Islanders

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Talk about a nasty deja vu. The New York Rangers once again blew a multi-goal lead in the third period, this time in a 5-4 preseason loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers surrendered three unanswered goals in the final period Thursday and let a 4-2 lead evaporate into defeat. Two days prior, they lost to the Boston Bruins 5-4 in overtime after they carried a 4-1 lead into the third period.

“I think it happened two completely different ways,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan explained postgame. “But, yeah, that’s certainly something we don’t want to happen too often. We have to do a better job at controlling momentum and playing with a lead.”

Dylan Garand faced 10 shots after he replaced Jonathan Quick to start the third period. The 2025 AHL All-Star allowed goals to Cameron Berg at 6:59 after a big Islanders penalty kill; Gleb Veremeyev, his second of the game at 15:17; and Kyle Palmieri, the game winner at 16:14.

Garand was handcuffed on Palmieri’s soft backhand shot from left wing, with the puck rolling up his right arm and over his shoulder before landing in the net.

Kyle Palmieri: Coast to coast…sort of. pic.twitter.com/R0ZRozAwQi

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) September 26, 2025

The Rangers (1-1-1) did a lot of good things over the first 40 minutes, but couldn’t seal the deal. They had four different goal scorers, including J.T. Miller in his first game wearing the captain’s C. Ten Rangers were on the score sheet, led by Vincent Trocheck (goal, assist) and Conor Sheary (two assists).

The Islanders (1-1-1) scored a pair of goals 23 seconds apart to take a 2-0 lead in the opening period. But the Rangers roared back with three goals of their own in a span of 2:31 to carry a 3-2 lead into the first intermission.

Veremeyev fended off the check of Rangers defenseman Scott Morrow to open the scoring with a deflection of a pass out of the corner at 14:23. The Islanders caught Morrow and his Rangers teammates scrambling on the next shift, and Chris Terry scored from behind the goal line at 14:46 to double their advantage.

Though that was a goal Quick would like back, the 39-year-old settled in and stopped the next 11 shots he faced before being replaced by Garand at the start of the third period.

Trocheck deflected an Adam Fox shot past Islanders goalie David Rittich 16 seconds after Terry’s goal. And Brennan Othmann tied things up at 17:21, wiring a left-wing power-play shot past Rittich.

Twelve seconds later it was 3-2 Rangers, after Brett Berard buried a Noah Laba pass between his legs from behind the goal line.

Right place, right time.

Laba with the feed + Brett buries it. pic.twitter.com/O9FsHCQX59

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 25, 2025

The Rangers made it four straight goals when Miller’s one-timer beat Rittich on the power play at 10:17 of the second period. It was their last goal of the night, ahead of the late-game meltdown.

Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from the Rangers’ 5-4 preseason loss to the Islanders on Thursday.

Related: Why Rangers will play ‘hybrid game’ style under coach Mike Sullivan

1. Puck possession; puck pursuit; puck pressure​

For the first two periods, the Rangers skated fast, played hard, and were the much better team. The 4-2 lead was well-earned, as was their 24-15 shots advantage.

The Rangers rolled four lines, each sticking to a game plan of relentless puck pursuit. That led to a steady diet of winning puck battles and possessing it more than not, quality scoring chances, and serious puck pressure the times the Islanders were in possession.

Miller helped set the tone in his preseason debut, centering Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault. But it wasn’t jus that top line. It was also Othmann, Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere, just as it was Laba on the third line with Sheary and Berard. And Matt Rempe (6-foot-9) was a force on a towering line that included Adam Edstrom (6-foot-7) and Dylan Roobroeck (6-foot-7).

If the Rangers commit to this brand of hockey for a full 60 minutes on a consistent basis, it should be a recipe for success this season.

2. Brennan Othmann makes his case for Rangers roster spot​

Othmann played, by far, his best game of the preseason Thursday. For sure, his goal was sweet, ripped confidently past Rittich after a well-placed pass by Morrow. But it’s the fact that he was constantly in front of net wreaking havoc shift after shift, and winning battles along the boards when he wasn’t in Rittich’s face.

Brennan Othmann – New York Rangers (1)*
Power Play Goal pic.twitter.com/bVTqzVy7M7

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) September 25, 2025

Simply, you noticed Othmann, and for all the right reasons. This after two fairly quiet games to begin the preseason. The 22-year-old is in a serious competition with Perreault, Berard, and Sheary for, perhaps, one spot on the opening-night roster. He made a strong case against the Islanders.

3. Third-period woes​

Well, if the Rangers wished to distance themselves from last season’s dismal campaign — one that was pockmarked by a slew of blown leads and constant inability to rally in the third period — they sure picked a funny way to do so. Make it a pair of ugly multi-goal blown leads in the final period over consecutive games, albeit preseason games.

Still, it’s not a good look. Even if Garand, the rookie goaltender, must shoulder the blame for the eventual game winner Thursday, two nights after another youngster, Talyn Boyko, was victimized by the Bruins. The Rangers were out-shot 10-5 in the third, and the Islanders had a 66.52 percent expected goal share in the final 20 minutes, per Natural Stat Trick.

The overall eye test in the third period wasn’t terrible, though Fox completely lost his man in the paint for the game-tying goal. Still, you can bet Mike Sullivan isn’t happy after he let it be known how unacceptable the loss was Tuesday, preseason or not.

“You want to win games that you’re playing … We’ve, the two games, been the better team for most of it … But you don’t want that stuff to creep in when you do have a two-goal lead in games,” Fox summed up.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...rs-third-period-collapse-islanders-preseason/

 

[New York Rangers]

A rejuvenated Carson Soucy could be key to solidifying Rangers defense

James Guillory-Imagn ImagesJames Guillory-Imagn Images

Defenseman Carson Soucy had a strong preseason debut for the New York Rangers in their 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday. For new coach Mike Sullivan, Soucy’s play might only bolster what appears to be his plan for the defense corps to open the new season.

With Vladislav Gavrikov, who’s expected to play the left side on the top pair, not dressing against the Isles, Soucy moved up to play with Adam Fox. The duo posted strong underlying metrics, with a 51.2 expected goal share and the Blueshirts outchancing their archrivals 10-4 with the two together at 5 on 5, per Natural Stat Trick.

Soucy became something of an afterthought under former coach Peter Laviolette following his acquisition from the Vancouver Canucks at the March 7 trade deadline. Laviolette made him a healthy scratch a number of times and generally seemed less than enamored with the 6-foot-5, 208-pounder’s game. That’s also made Soucy a target for a portion of the fan base, which feels the pending unrestricted free agent’s $3.2 million salary-cap hit would be better used elsewhere.

Related: Rangers stock report: Who’s trending up, down halfway through preseason

Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

Despite apparently being out of favor, Soucy’s 16 regular-season appearances with the Rangers yielded positive numbers similar to what the 31-year-old has put up for most of his seven-year NHL career. The big left-shot defenseman posted a 53.1 expected goal share with the Rangers and was plus-2.

Those metrics appear to suggest that his 59 games with the Canucks last season were an anomaly. Soucy posted a 44.2 expected goal share and was minus-13 with Vancouver, both career worsts. In 2022-23 and 2023-24, Soucy had expected goal shares over 51.

In the five seasons prior to 2024-25, he was a combined plus-73 and never finished as a minus player in any season during that span while playing for three teams.

Carson Soucy helped chances with strong showing vs. Islanders​

While plus-minus is admittedly an imperfect statistic, it helps to demonstrate that Soucy has driven positive play throughout his career. His showing during an abbreviated stint for a coach who didn’t warm to him last season, along with his solid preseason debut, might be just what Sullivan is looking for.

Speculation swirled during the offseason that the new coach was all but guaranteed to move young right-shot defenseman Braden Schneider to the left side on a permanent basis. The 24-year-old was effective in that situation to start last season when Laviolette paired him with Jacob Trouba following an injury to Ryan Lindgren. Returning to the left could theoretically serve as a way to get Schneider, a 2020 first-round pick, into the top four amid a crowded right side.

That theory, however, was presented before Sullivan had a chance to address it in training camp. The coach seemed lukewarm on the idea when he finally did so last week.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

“The short answer is yes, (right-shot defensemen) could play the left side,” he said. ” … (But) I prefer to have defensemen play their strong sides.

” … If (Schneider) plays the right side, and we have Foxy, Will Borgen and Schneids on the right side, then we’ve got a pretty balanced approach, we feel. But I would envision us exploring opportunities to play Schneids on the off side also if we choose to roll the top four on the blue line.”

If Sullivan wants to go with Fox, Borgen and Schneider on the right, as he said, he’ll need someone to solidify the left side with Lindgren having been traded in March and K’Andre Miller dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1. The addition of Gavrikov as a free agent should go a long way toward stabilizing a formidable top pair, but the potential for a drop-off in effectiveness on the left side behind Gavrikov exists.

Related: Key takeaways after Rangers blow another lead, lose 5-4 to Islanders

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

That’s why Soucy’s play might prove pivotal in 2025-26, and could give Sullivan some appealing options. The Dec. 18 acquisition of Borgen from the Seattle Kraken helped settle the defense, and he and Soucy are friends from their time together in the Pacific Northwest from 2021-23.

The friendship hasn’t yielded a great on-ice partnership, however. In 581:31 with the Kraken, Soucy-Borgen posted a 48.1 expected goal share, with Seattle getting outchanced 261-238, per Natural Stat Trick.

That continued with the pair as teammates again last season, with even less encouraging results. Though a very limited sample size, Soucy and Borgen were caved in at even strength in 18:37 together, putting up a 31.7 expected goal share. The Rangers were outchanced 14-8 and 5-1 in high-danger chances with them paired.

By contrast, Soucy and Schneider put together an impressive 8:36 together last season, posting a 57.7 expected goal share. Perhaps Schneider’s path to a consistent top-four role will indeed run through the right side of the defense.

Soucy’s play could in theory allow Sullivan flexibility with his defense combinations. The coach’s zone defense style of play should simplify matters from the hybrid system employed by Laviolette. Sullivan wants his team to push pucks to the walls and win them by outnumbering opponents. Soucy, part of a blue line that’s been remade with lots of size, should in theory thrive in such battles.

Sullivan will also be hoping for a step forward from Urho Vaakanainen, another left-side defenseman, who was acquired on Dec. 6 in the trade that sent Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks. Right-shot rookie Scott Morrow offers enticing offensive upside and could make the team with a strong camp.

The Rangers need someone to firm up the left side of the defense behind Gavrikov, their big offseason acquisition. A rejuvenated, effective Soucy just might be the answer.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/carson-soucy-could-help-solidify-defense/

 

[New York Rangers]

Artemi Panarin turns down Rangers’ team-friendly proposal: report

Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesWendell Cruz-Imagn Images

It looks like Artemi Panarin may not be interested in giving the New York Rangers a hometown discount on his next contract.

Panarin turns 34 on Oct. 30, less than a month into the final season of the seven-year, $81.5 million contract he signed with the Rangers on July 1, 2019. There have been talks concerning a new contract — but no deal.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast this week that the Russian forward rebuffed a proposal to do for the Rangers what longtime Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar did — take less money.

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

“Anze Kopitar, who just announced his retirement, he had signed 10 years ago an eight-year deal with an average annual salary of $10 million a year,” Friedman said “At the end of that deal, the L.A. Kings went to him and said ‘we need you to take a little bit less, it’ll really help us win.’ And Kopitar did that [two years, $7 million per year].

“And I understand at some point this offseason, the Rangers had that kind of a conceptual discussion with Panarin. ‘Is there a way that you could do for the Rangers what Kopitar did for the Kings?’ “I don’t know if that’s going to be a possibility, but I do know that the two sides had the conversation, and obviously at this point, Panarin is unsigned, so we’ll see where that one goes.”

Panarin has yet to play in a preseason game because of a lower-body injury sustained a week ago during training camp, though he was cleared for contact Friday. The Rangers are off until they visit the New York Islanders on Monday, and coach Mike Sullivan said there’s no guarantee he’ll see any action before the season starts on Oct. 7.

“In a perfect world, we’d like to get him into a game or two,” the coach said, “but a lot of it is going to depend on where he is. We’ll certainly air on the side of caution.”

The average annual value of Panarin’s contract ($11.64 million, according to PuckPedia) was the highest in the NHL for wings entering last season, according to Friedman. But that’s not the case any more.

“He’s now been surpassed,” Friedman said. “Mikko Rantanen (of the Dallas Stars) and Mitch Marner (of the Vegas Golden Knights) are now the two highest-paid wingers in the league, at $12 million, and they’re probably going to be passed by Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets) and Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild) when they sign.”

Connor and Kaprizov are entering the final year of their contracts and are eligible to sign an extension. Kaprizov reportedly turned down an eight-year, $128 million offer; the $16 million average annual value would be the highest in the NHL.

Artemi Panarin reportedly turns down Rangers’ proposal​

Panarin is the best free-agent signing in Rangers history. He’s helped bring the Rangers back into Stanley Cup contention; they got to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2022 and 2024, winning the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s regular-season champions in ’23-24.

Last season, Panarin led the Rangers in goals (37), assists (52), and points (89), although that was a drop from his career year in 2023-24, when he finished with 49 goals and 71 assists for 120 points, the second-highest single-season point total in team history. Only Jaromir Jagr (123 in 2005-06) had more. He’s been an NHL First-Team All-Star twice (2019-20 and 2023-24) and made the Second All-Star Team in 2022-23.

Through six seasons on Broadway, Panarin has 550 points (186 goals, 364 assists) in 430 games played. Only Connor McDavid (710), Leon Draisaitl (644) and Nathan MacKinnon (633) have more in that time frame. “He has been the key to the Rangers’ revival,” Friedman said.

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

It’s hard to imagine that general manager Chris Drury doesn’t want to keep Panarin, and he’s said next to nothing about the contract talks. But he’d have to be a fool not to be well aware of how important Panarin is to the Rangers — there’s no player on the roster or in the pipeline who comes close to what Panarin brings offensively.

“As far as the contract stuff, I’ve also said on record that I don’t talk about negotiations publicly,” Drury said last week. “Any conversations I have with Artemi or his representation will stay that way, just private.”

Related: Why Rangers will play ‘hybrid game’ style under coach Mike Sullivan

But he knows what Panarin means to a team that’s trying to get back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs after one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.

“I’ve said many times on record what I think of him as a player and he’s a huge piece of our team and our organization,” Drury said. “He doesn’t appear to me to be slowing down.”

Friedman also said he wouldn’t be surprised to see the Rangers do what they did with goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who entered the season unsigned but inked a contract extension a few weeks later. The eight-year, $92 million deal kicks in this season.

“I would say last year that the New York Rangers, going into the season with Shesterkin and getting it done,” he said, “maybe at a higher number than they hoped to, says to me that they handled it once, they’ll handle it again if they have to do it a second time.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/artemi-panarin-turns-down-offer-report/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers coach eager to build relationship with new captain J.T. Miller

James Guillory-Imagn ImagesJames Guillory-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers played much of last season under former coach Peter Laviolette without a captain after Jacob Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6.

They’re preparing for what they hope will be a rebound season under new coach Mike Sullivan, and they’ll be doing it with a new captain. Center J.T. Miller was named the 29th captain in franchise history last week and took the ice wearing the “C” for the first time on Thursday when the Rangers lost 5-4 to the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden. Fittingly, he scored a goal and played with typical high-intensity, despite it being a preseason game.

It’s the second time around in New York for both. Sullivan was an assistant with the Rangers from 2009-10 through 2012-13. Miller, their first-round pick (No. 15) in the 2011 NHL Draft, played 26 games for the Rangers in Sullivan’s final season working with coach John Tortorella on Broadway.

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Each returned to New York after enjoying success elsewhere. Sullivan coached the Pittsburgh Penguins for 10 seasons, including consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017. He replaced Laviolette as Rangers coach in May.

Miller’s had seven 20-goal seasons and averaged more than a point a game for the past six, including a whopping 103 points with the Vancouver Canucks just two seasons ago.

The Canucks traded Miller back to the Rangers on Jan. 31 partly because of a rift with center Elias Pettersson. Sullivan said the issue came up in discussion’s he had with his new captain.

“I’ve had conversations with him about it,” Sullivan said Friday. “Obviously when (general manager) Chris [Drury] and I talked to him about leadership and being the captain of the team, that was part of the conversation.”

Related: Rangers stock report: Who’s trending up, down halfway through preseason

J.T. Miller praised as ‘fierce competitor’ by Rangers coach Mike Sullivan​

At age 32, Miller retains the fire that’s fueled his play and made him a pain in the butt for opponents — and some teammates — over the course of his career. But Sullivan believes there’s an important difference in Miller now as opposed to more than a decade ago.

“I think JT has really matured over the course of his career,” the coach explained. “I think J.T. has taken a great approach to his career both on and off the ice. The type of teammate he is, I think sometimes those types of guys tend to be misunderstood.

“He’s a fierce competitor who tends to wear his emotions right on his sleeve. His intentions are in the right place. He wants to win in the worst way, and we don’t want that aspect of his personality to change. We want him to be himself. He wants to become a better version of himself on the ice and off the ice.”

Tune in to the latest RINK RAP podcast, featuring a detailed look at the top issues and storylines from Rangers training camp

For each of his 10 seasons coaching the Penguins, Sullivan had Sidney Crosby, one of the League’s greatest players and leaders, as captain. The new Rangers coach believes his relationship with Miller will be similar to the one he had with Crosby, and that he’s looking forward to getting to know his new captain better.

“I don’t think it’s different,” he said. “I really value that relationship with the captain. His relationship with the coach is really important. That’s how it was when Sid was the captain and I was the coach in Pittsburgh. Obviously I was there a long time, and when you spend that much time together, you develop a relationship, right?

“I think it’s one of the more rewarding things from a coaching standpoint to have the ability to build a relationship with a player of that stature who’s elite at what he does but also incredibly invested in the organization. I feel the same way about J.T. I really look forward to the opportunity to get to know him better, and for him to get to know me better. I look forward to that opportunity to work together to help this team be its best.”

Let it fly, J.T. pic.twitter.com/IYqKAfjlrN

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 26, 2025

It’s a relationship that must work if the Rangers are going to bounce back from one of the most dysfunctional and disappointing seasons in their history. Sullivan said he’s “certainly very comfortable” with where they’re at now.

“He’s a great kid,” Sullivan offered. “He really cares about the Rangers. He’s totally invested in trying to help this team win, and I’m excited to watch him evolve with the group here as the captain. … He’s just a fierce competitor. I’ve coached a number of those guys over the years, and I think part of the DNA of those types of players is that they tend to get emotional because they’re invested.

“I think that’s J.T. in a nutshell.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ike-sullivan-relationship-captain-j-t-miller/

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers forward to miss 6 weeks with broken hand

Stephen Brashear-Imagn ImagesStephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Kaapo Kakko faces yet another setback in his NHL career. The former New York Rangers forward will miss the start of the 2025-26 season with the Seattle Kraken and likely be out six weeks because of a broken hand.

The 24-year-old sustained the injury when slashed by Edmonton Oilers defenseman prospect Beau Akey in a preseason game Wednesday. Akey was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for slashing on the play.

Here's the slash from Beau Akey that injured Kaapo Kakko: https://t.co/QjdMVQwq8N pic.twitter.com/b4ccmoy9Sq

— Emerald City Hockey (@EmeraldCityHky) September 25, 2025

This is a big blow for the Kraken. Key forwards Jared McCann and Chandler Stephenson each are dealing with undisclosed injuries and remain out of the Kraken lineup, as well.

The Kraken seek a fast start under new coach Lane Lambert in hopes that they can return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after falling short the past two seasons. Seattle made the playoffs with 100 points in 2022-23, the second season in franchise history. But they missed out the next two years, including last season, when they dropped to 76 points and 27th overall in League standings.

Kakko is expected to play a big role in the top six and on the power play for the Kraken this season. He signed a three-year, $13.575 million contract with the Kraken this past summer, avoiding salary arbitration, and started the preseason strong with a pair of assists in their opener against the Vancouver Canucks last weekend.

Related: Rangers stock report: Who’s trending up, down halfway through preseason

Former Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko out 6 weeks with broken hand​

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Kakko, the No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft, had a rocky and frustrating tenure with the Rangers. He never quite lived up to the high expectations. though was a reliable third-line forward. Just not exactly what the Rangers hoped when they selected him after Jack Hughes went No. 1 overall to the Devils in 2019.

In his rookie season, as an 18-year-old, Kakko had 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) over 66 games in 2019-20. Playing on the Kid Line with Alexis Lafreniere and Filip Chytil three seasons later, Kakko topped out at 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists), playing all 82 games. The following season, he dealt with injury and decreased ice time, plummeting to 19 points (13 goals, six assists) in 61 games.

Things came to a head with the Rangers last season, when Kakko complained about being a scapegoat for the team’s dysfunctional play, after he was a healthy scratch for a game in December.

“I have not been the worst guy, but that was me out of the lineup,” he told reporters at the time.

The Kraken acquired Kakko from the Rangers on Dec. 18 in a trade for defenseman Will Borgen. They immediately handed him a bigger role, and Kakko responded with 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 49 games. His average TOI jumped to a career-high 17:03, nearly four minutes more per game than what he got with the Rangers (13:17) earlier in the 2024-25 season, when he had 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 30 games.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/kaapo-kakko-injury-update/

 

[New York Rangers]

Two ex-Rangers among 23 players to hit NHL waiver wire Sunday

Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesWendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Two former members of the New York Rangers were among 23 players to hit the NHL waiver wire Sunday.

Defenseman Zac Jones, who spent parts of five seasons with the Rangers, and forward Jake Leschyshyn were placed on waivers by the Buffalo Sabres.

In addition, forward Alex Belzile, who was an AHL All-Star last season with the Rangers’ affiliate in Hartford but became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and signed with the Montreal Canadiens, was played on waivers for the purpose of sending him to Laval of the AHL. Belzile spent two seasons in the Rangers organization but never dressed for an NHL game.

Jones became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after the Rangers elected not to tender him a qualifying offer. The lefty-shooting defenseman signed a one-year contract with the Sabres.

Today’s waiver wire:https://t.co/so7qgeK2D3 pic.twitter.com/GKl3z6N1CO

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 28, 2025

In 46 games with the Rangers last season, Jones had 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) and 46 blocked while averaging 17:15 of ice time. He also scored one goal in two games for Hartford. In 115 games during five seasons with the Blueshirts, he had 28 points (four goals, 24 assists) and was minus-10.

Jones began last season on the third defense pairing, then lost playing time to rookie Victor Mancini – who was sent to the Vancouver Canucks in the trade that brought center J.T. Miller back to the Rangers. Jones re-established himself in the top six only to be supplanted by incoming defensemen Urho Vaakanainen, Calvin de Haan and Carson Soucy after a flurry of trades.

But when the Rangers’ best defenseman, Adam Fox, went down with an injury in late February, Zones got back into back into the lineup and largely played well.

Related: Rangers stock report: Who’s trending up, down halfway through preseason

“I thought there were some good parts of the year,” Jones said on breakup day. “When I had some consistent time, I thought I played well. I thought my defensive game was a lot better this year as opposed to years prior. I lost the offensive game a little bit, but that’s something that this summer I’m really going to try and focus on and get back to.”

Per Natural Stat Trick, Jones was on ice for 157 high-danger scoring chances against and just 118 for, and the Rangers’ expected goals 5v5 was 47.79 percent when he was on the ice.

Sabres place former Rangers Zac Jones, Jake Leschyshyn on waivers​

The rub against Jones continued to be that he was viewed as being too small (he’s listed at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds) to adequately defend in his own end. But the Rangers certainly could have used his ability to move the puck quickly and exit the zone smartly when they imploded as a group defensively in 2024-25.

Consistent playing time was the biggest issue for Jones, who made his frustration known in an outburst to the media during an extended stretch when he was out of the lineup. It was a major struggle for Jones, who had stayed mostly optimistic throughout his time in the organization but told reporters in January, “I just feel like I’m rotting away a little bit.”

Leschyshyn also became a free agent when he did not receive a qualifying offer from the Rangers and ended up signing with the Sabres. He spent all of last season with Hartford, finishing with 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 69 games.

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The son of longtime NHL defenseman Curtis Leschyshyn played in a total of 14 games with the Rangers in 2022-23 and 2023-24. He was scoreless and went minus-4 with 17 hits.

Belzile had 19 goals, a team-high 56 points and 119 penalty minutes in 66 games with the Wolf Pack last season, his second with Hartford after signing with the Rangers in the summer of 2023. The 34-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Canadiens this summer. All 44 of his NHL games came with the Canadiens from 2020-21 to 2022-23; he scored six goals and 15 points. All but one assist came in 2022-23, when he played 33 games for Montreal.

Among other notable names to hit the waiver wire Sunday were ex-Islanders forward Hudson Fasching (Columbus Blue Jackets), forward Brendan Gaunce (Blue Jackets) and forward Kole Lind (Dallas Stars).

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/zac-jones-jake-leschyshyn-nhl-waivers/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers captain J.T. Miller appears to sustain injury at practice

James Guillory-Imagn ImagesJames Guillory-Imagn Images

J.T. Miler appeared to sustain a lower-body injury at New York Rangers practice Monday, in what could potentially be a major blow before the 2025-26 season even begins.

The Rangers captain was working with the top power-play unit when the apparent injury took place. Miller lunged to push a loose puck past a defender toward the left point. As play continued around him, Miller remained on all fours. He pushed himself up on his left leg, then gingerly took careful skating strides toward the bench. He glided the last several feet, before departing back into the locker room area.

Oh no: Miller went lunging to save a puck here and came up favoring his leg. You can see he’s in pain and he heads off to the locker room. #NYR pic.twitter.com/poxnzlOFNk

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) September 29, 2025

Miller reportedly was unavailable to the media after practice concluded, and was instead with team trainers.

The Rangers didn’t immediately have an update on Miller. Coach Mike Sullivan wasn’t at the MSG Training Center the apparent injury. Instead, Sullivan was with the game group at UBS Arena, preparing for a preseason game Monday against the New York Islanders.

All he said from Long Island is that Miller is being evaluated.

Related: Rangers coach eager to build relationship with new captain J.T. Miller

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY, MORE TO COME

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-captain-jt-miller-injury-update/

 

[New York Rangers]

Key takeaways after Noah Laba’s OT goal lifts Rangers past Islanders 3-2

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn ImagesDennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Noah Laba is making it tough for the New York Rangers to keep him off the opening-night roster.

The 22-year-old center entered the Rangers preseason game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Monday night leading the team with four points (all assists) in three games. He scored his first goal of the preseason at 1:01 of overtime to give the Rangers a 3-2 win.

Laba took a pass from Gabe Perreault, cut in from right wing, went across the top of the crease and beat Isles backup goaltender David Rittich with a backhander, giving the Rangers (2-1-1) a win on a night when they were outshot 32-19, out-attempted 70-34 and failed to earn a power play.

Laba with a beauty for the OT winner. pic.twitter.com/g8s7x3OLx7

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 30, 2025

The Rangers left many of their big guns back in Tarrytown, but they did bring No. 1 goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who stopped 21 of 22 shots in two periods before being replaced by Dylan Garand. The Islanders dressed most of their opening night lineup but played Rittich instead of starter Ilya Sorokin.

The difference in goaltending showed early.

The Rangers were outshot 10-2 and out-attempted 24-5 in the first 20 minutes, but they took advantage of some poor defensive zone play by the Isles to score the period’s only goal. Juuso Parssinen was in the right place at the right time when Will Cuylle’s pass caromed off Rittich’s skate and into the slot. He got inside position on former Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo and swatted the puck into the net at 5:30 for a 1-0 lead on the Blueshirts’ first shot on goal.

Rebound. Score.

Parssinen buries it! pic.twitter.com/hQVL8pgpDJ

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 29, 2025

The Islanders continued to dominate possession and made Shesterkin work, but the Rangers had two great chances to add to their lead. Taylor Raddysh misfired on a wide-open shot from the right circle, and Rittich made his only save of the period when he denied Dylan Roobroeck after the 6-foot-7 rookie got behind the defense.

Meanwhile, Shesterkin looked like he was ready for opening night. His best stop came when he got the top of his glove on a wide-open shot from the slot by DeAngelo not long after Parssinen’s goal.

Former Rangers forward Anthony Duclair tied the game 1-1 at 1:14 of the second period when he was left alone in front of the net and swatted Mathew Barzal’s pass from the left corner off Shesterkin and over the goal line. But Cuylle put the Rangers back in front at 3:45 when he circled the net and tossed a shot that went right through Rittich, who should have had it.

Cools from a sharp angle. pic.twitter.com/tMSRFEhWc4

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 30, 2025

Matt Rempe had the best chances for the Rangers when he came in alone after leaving the box following a tripping penalty at 14:13, forcing Rittich to make his best two best saves of the game.

Garand took the ice for the third period and allowed the tying goal at 11:33 when DeAngelo beat him with a screened wrist shot from the high slot.

The Rangers are 2-1-1 and don’t play again unjtil Thursday, when they host the New Jersey Devils before completing their preseason schedule Saturday afternoon with a road game against the Boston Bruins. Their regular-season opener is Oct. 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden.

Related: Rangers captain J.T. Miller sustains injury in practice, could practice Tuesday

Key takeaways after Rangers’ 3-2 OT win against Islanders​

1. Igor Shesterkin is ready to go​

The Rangers’ hopes of returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season largely rest on the NHL’s highest-paid goaltending. If Shesterkin’s play against the Islanders was any indication, he’s primed for a big season.

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Blueshirts were outplayed the Islanders for the vast majority of the game. But Shesterkin was more than equal to the task. Duclair’s goal came after a defensive breakdown, but aside from that, he was flawless. Shesterkin looked like the goalie who won the Vezina Trophy in 2021-22. He was quick moving across the crease, challenged shooters and aggressive in moving the puck.

Shesterkin has allowed two goals on 33 shots in 70 minutes of preseason play. He’s likely to play one more preseason game before taking the net at the Garden on opening night.

2. Will Cuylle-Jusso Parssinen-Gabe Perreault line excels​

With J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere and Vincent Trocheck left behind, the unit of Cuylle, Parssinen and Perreault was the Rangers’ best trio. Cuylle had a goal and an assist, Perreault contributed two assists and Parssinen helped his cause in the battle for the third-line center role by scoring his first preseason goal. Perreault was plus-3; his linemates were each plus-2.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Cuylle was selected as the game’s First Star. The big question for coach Mike Sullivan is whether to leave him on the third line or play him in the top six. Judging by his play against the Islanders, Cuylle – a 20-goal scorer last season – looks capable of handling the advanced responsibility.

“He isn’t 6-foot-3, but he plays like he’s 6-foot-5, 230 pounds,” Parssinen said of Cuylle. “He hits everybody. He’s really good with the puck. He’s kind of like a horse.”

Related: Rangers coach eager to build relationship with new captain J.T. Miller

3. Noah Laba comes through again​

This was the toughest of the rookie center’s four preseason games. Laba had his most difficult test so far going primarily against Barzal’s line and wasn’t much of a factor through regulation.

But he wasted no time making the most of his opportunity during the 3-on-3 overtime, using a slick move to get in alone before beating Rittich to win the game.

It’s still more likely than not that Laba will begin the season in the AHL with Hartford in order to get more playing time, but he continues to give Sullivan and his staff something to think about.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/key-takeaways-after-ot-win-vs-islanders/

 

[New York Rangers]

Popular ex-Rangers forward out 7-8 weeks with lower-body injury for Wild

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn ImagesStephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

It turns out that the Minnesota Wild will be without Mats Zuccarello for more than “a bit.” It was revealed by the team Tuesday that the popular former New York Rangers forward is out at least 7-8 weeks with a lower-body injury.

Zuccarello’s been sidelined since the start of training camp with what is believed to be a back injury. After telling reporters earlier this month that Zuccarello could miss several days, Wild coach John Hynes extended that guesstimate Sunday.

“‘Zuccy’ is going to be out for a bit … I don’t know the timeline yet,” Hynes stated Sunday.

Now the Wild and their coach know the timeline, and it’s certainly not good news for them. Zuccarello played a big role helping the Wild land the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference last season. They did so despite superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov missing 41 games with a lower-body injury that required surgery.

Zuccarello was fourth on the Wild with 19 goals and 54 points. His 16 power-play points tied for second most on the club, behind Matt Boldy (21).

The 38-year-old plays in all game situations and special teams for the Wild. Last season, he averaged 19:39 TOI. So, his absence leaves a sizeable hole in the lineup.

Earlier Tuesday, the Wild signed Kaprizov to a massive eight-year, $136 million contract extension, that begins in 2026-27. The $17 million average annual value is most in NHL history.

Zuccarello is in the final season of a two-year, $8.25 million extension he signed in September of 2023, which pays him $4.125 million annually.

Related: How J.T. Miller ‘handled taking s***’ from Mats Zuccarello as Rangers rookie

Mats Zuccarello latest ex-Rangers forward injured this preseason​

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

This is Zuccarello’s 16th NHL season, seventh with the Wild. He’s played more games (904), scored more goals (217), had more assists (473), and totaled more points (690) than any other player born in Norway in League history.

Signed by the Rangers as undrafted free agent in May 2010, Zuccarello was an immensely popular player for nine seasons on Broadway. The 5-foot-8 forward won the admiration of teammates, coaches, and Rangers fans alike, beginning in the 2010-11 season until he was shipped to the Dallas Stars ahead of the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline.

Zuccarello won the prestigious Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award three times. Only Adam Graves (five) and Ryan Callahan (four) won it more often than Zuccarello.

He scored an NHL career-high 26 goals and had 61 points for the Rangers in 2015-16. Zuccarello’s twice scored 20+ goals for the Wild, including 24 in 2021-22, when he also registered a career-best 79 points.

Just last week, another former Rangers forward received suboptimal injury news. Kaapo Kakko sustained a broken hand after he was slashed in a preseason game for the Seattle Kraken and is out six weeks,

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/zuccarello-injury-update-wild/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers ‘err on side of caution’ with injured J.T. Miller, Sam Carrick

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

When the New York Rangers took to the ice for practice Tuesday at training camp, two of their top four centers were missing. Captain J.T. Miller and gritty fourth-liner Sam Carrick each sat out practice with a lower-body injury.

The good news, though, is that neither veteran appears to be seriously hurt. Per coach Mike Sullivan each is day to day.

“Obviously, we’re going to err on the side of caution with all these guys with where we’re at,” he explained after practice.

The Rangers are one week away from the start of the 2025-26 season. There are still two preseason games on the docket, though it’s unclear whether Miller and/or Carrick might play Thursday against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden or Saturday in Boston against the Bruins.

Miller came up lame after extending himself to play the puck during a drill during practice Monday. It appeared he could be badly hurt when he struggled to push himself up off the ice and then gingerly skated off to the dressing room. But Sullivan confirmed Monday night that Miller was day to day, and that was reiterated by the coach the following afternoon.

Oh no: Miller went lunging to save a puck here and came up favoring his leg. You can see he’s in pain and he heads off to the locker room. #NYR pic.twitter.com/poxnzlOFNk

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) September 29, 2025

Sullivan has said a few times in camp that he prefers for his veterans to play three preseason games. Miller and Carrick each appeared in one preseason game, so far. But there’s no way either will play if not healthy before the regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 7.

Mike Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, Alexis Lafreniere, Adam Fox, and Vladislav Gavrikov are all healthy but none played more than one of the first four preseason games, so far. Artemi Panarin, who missed time earlier in camp with a lower-body injury, practiced again Tuesday. However, there’s no word if he’ll get into either of the remaining two preseason games.

Defenseman Braden Schneider made his preseason debut Monday and assisted on Noah Laba’s overtime goal in a 3-2 win against the Islanders. Schneider was held out of all camp scrimmages and preseason games until Monday after he had shoulder surgery in April to repair a torn labrum.

Rangers coach knows Mika Zibanejad ‘capable’ of shifting back to center if/when needed​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The Rangers made another round of cuts Tuesday, trimming the training camp roster to 29 players. But they had enough centers to practice, even without Miller and Carrick.

In fact, you know who took Miller’s spot in the middle of his line? Zibanejad, that’s who.

Now, that shouldn’t come as a surprise since Zibanejad has played the vast majority of his 14 seasons at center. But the 32-year-old is set to start this season on right wing on a line with Miller.

Sullivan was asked after practice if there’ll be times Zibanejad shifts back to the middle for a stretch.

“Yes. I know Mika can play center. He’s an excellent center iceman,” Sullivan responded. “Nothing’s etched in stone. We’re beginning to go on a journey as a team and we’re going to have to figure out how do we have success week to week, month to month.

“So, we know Mika is capable of playing in the middle and there potentially could be a scenario where we do move him in the middle.”

Zibanejad centered Lafreniere and Gabe Perreault at practice. Trocheck was flanked by Panarin and Will Cuylle. Juuso Parssinen was the 3C with Conor Sheary and Taylor Raddysh on the wings. Carrick was replaced by Noah Laba on the fourth line, with Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom as the towering wings.

Brett Berard and Jonny Brodzinski rotated in with the forward group Tuesday.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-miller-carrick-injury-update/

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers NCAA prospects preview: Ty Henricks eyes championship repeat

Jeff Curry-Imagn ImagesJeff Curry-Imagn Images

As the calendar turns from September to October, the NCAA men’s ice hockey season is set to begin. The New York Rangers have seven prospects currently playing at the collegiate level, continuing their paths in hopes to one day make it to the professional ranks.

A sixth-round pick by the Rangers in the 2023 draft, sophomore Ty Henricks played 41 games for the Western Michigan Broncos last season, scoring 13 points (eight goals, five assists). Highlights from his freshman campaign included a goal in his NCAA debut against Ferris State on Oct. 11, and scoring the game-winning goal in the National Championship game against Boston University.

OKAY TY! @ty_henricks makes it 3-1 Broncos with 14:42 left in the second period. #MFrozenFour x ESPN2 / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/ARfmIHXfgw

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 13, 2025

After spending the majority of his freshman year in a limited depth role on the fourth line for the Broncos, Henricks is poised for a breakout season in an elevated spot on the depth chart and will be relied on to produce more offensively. Western Michigan is ranked first overall in the USCHO.com Men’s Division I Poll, receiving 29 first place votes. The Broncos host an exhibition game against the U.S. National Under-18 Team on Saturday to begin their quest to repeat as national champion.

Drafted in the third round in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, Sean Barnhill of Michigan State spent the 2024-25 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound defenseman tallied four goals and eight assists for 12 points and had a plus-8 rating in 54 games. According to EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide, “With a deep, balanced stance and quick feet, Barnhill denies rushes and then jumps up into the play. He matches the footwork of smaller, high-skill attackers with ease, and he rarely overextends. The skating appears most in his rush defense, where he makes some high-level stops with his feet moving after taking away the middle.”

Barnhill fits the mold of a towering prospect the Rangers front office seem to like. He is a good, mobile skater, which complements his long reach, and has the ability to move the puck well. He is viewed as a solid two-way defenseman, “an animal,” per the NHL Network analysts at the draft. He’ll have plenty of time to fill out and develop at the NCAA level, being part of a strong Michigan State team.

The Spartans were chosen as the top team in the 2025 Big Ten preseason coaches poll and are ranked No. 3 overall nationally, receiving 14 first-place votes. Michigan State hosts an exhibition against Windsor on Friday.

After watching teammate Gabe Perreault turn pro with the Rangers and skate in five NHL games last spring, defenseman Drew Fortescue chose to return to Boston College for his junior season. The 6-foot-2 left-shot blueliner skated in 36 games for the Eagles in 2024-25, registering 11 assists and 29 blocked shots. His plus-28 rating was tied for seventh-best nationally and second-best in Hockey East.

Fortescue also helped the United States win a second consecutive gold medal at the 2025 World Junior Championship. Despite recording no points in the tournament, Fortescue tied for 3rd among all defensemen with a plus-6 rating, and played on the top pairing for the Americans. During the semi-final against Czechia, the TSN broadcast said this about Fortescue “Sometimes you don’t notice him in a game and it’s because he’s doing everything right. He’s a Rangers draft pick – a good, solid, reliable defender coming your way pretty soon.”

Boston College ranks fifth in the Hockey East Men’s Preseason Coach’s Poll and sixth in the USCHO.com Men’s Division I Poll. They kick off the season against Quinnipiac University on Friday.

Senior forward Brody Lamb was named as one of three captains at the University of Minnesota for the 2025-26 season.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 '𝗖' 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱

Introducing our #PrideOnIce captains for 2025-26! 〽 pic.twitter.com/KfmNpvrbCY

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) September 5, 2025

The Byron, Minnesota, native is back on campus as the Golden Gopher’s highest returning scorer, after he posted a career-best 17 goals and nine assists for 26 points. He also led the team in power-play goals with eight. Lamb’s been named Big Ten Conference Star of the Week four times in three seasons, and skated in 117 career games.

Minnesota is ranked eighth in the USCHO.com Men’s Division I Poll, and third behind Michigan State and Penn State in the Big Ten Preseason Poll. They host a weekend series against Michigan Tech this Friday and Saturday.

Related: New York Rangers 2025 NHL Draft tracker: Selection, analysis for each pick

2 top Rangers prospects playing in NCAA this season​

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

EJ Emery, the Rangers first-round pick in 2024, returns to North Dakota for his sophomore season, looking to round out his game after recording a lone assist in 31 games with the Fighting Hawks. The 6-foot-3 right-shot defenseman blocked 29 shots as a freshman and finished with a plus-3 rating. After being a late roster cut from the United States World Junior Championships team in 2025, Emery hopes to crack the lineup for the 2026 tournament.

Despite a lack of offensive production, Rangers director of player development Jed Ortmeyer believes that Emery’s development is on the right track and he showed flashes of promise at the NCAA level.

“He had a really good year. He’s one of the youngest defensemen in college hockey as a true freshman,” Ortmeyer said this summer. “It’s a tough league he was playing in. He was able to step in and have a big role and play big minutes for them. I think his development is heading in the right direction and he’s on a great path at a great school. We are excited about what he’s doing and where he’s going.”

The Rangers don’t want Emery to rush through his development process. Ortmeyer feels Emery is not only making strides as a player, but his mind is in the right place.

“I can’t put a timeline on it, everybody develops at their own pace,” Ortmeyer said. “He’s growing into his body. He’s put in a lot of work with the nutritionist and everybody to make sure he’s developing as best as he can, as fast as he can. He’s great to work with. He’s eager to get better. Again, he’s in a great situation in North Dakota and we are excited to keep working with him.”

North Dakota was picked third in the NCHC preseason media poll, receiving five first place votes. The Fighting Hawks rank 11th in the USCHO.com Men’s Division I Poll and open the season Saturday with an exhibition against Manitoba.

The Rangers may have gotten a steal during the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft selecting Malcom Spence. The 6-foot-1 forward was a projected by many to be a first-round pick. Serving as an assistant captain this past season with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, Spence recorded 32 goals and 41 assists for 73 points in 65 games.

“I’m really excited to get going.”

More from Malcolm Spence: https://t.co/OfxmJR7kwv pic.twitter.com/Vtdh2s5HJJ

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 28, 2025

New York ultimately selected Spence with the No. 43 overall pick, and the Rangers love his speed and strong skating abilities.

“His speed is a weapon,” Ortmeyer explained. “His skating ability too. He’s tenacious with the puck. He’s been able to produce at the junior level. I think it’ll be a good spot for him to develop.”

The 18-year-old forward is set to play at the prestigious University of Michigan this upcoming season.

“I know to play in the NHL, you have to be physically ready,” Spence said. “Maybe there are parts of my game skill-wise that may be ready, but physically I’m not. I know going to Michigan is going to give me more runway time. For me to jump in as an impact player, that’s what I want to do.”

Michigan is ranked 12th in the USCHO.com Men’s Division I Poll, and picked fourth in the Big Ten hockey preseason coaches poll. The Wolverines host Mercyhurst for a weekend series Friday and Saturday to begin the 2025-26 season.

Swedish defenseman Rasmus Larsson transferred to Robert Morris University after skating in 29 games for the Northern Michigan Wildcats last season as a freshman. Larsson ranked second among NMU defenseman with three goals and 60 blocked shots. A fifth-round selection in 2023 by the Rangers, Larsson is the first NHL Draft pick to join Robert Morris University men’s ice hockey program. The Colonials open the season Saturday at Bowling Green.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-ncaa-ice-hockey-prospects-2025/

 

[New York Rangers]

Why Rangers appear set on defense, despite being ‘thrilled’ with prospect

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Scott Morrow’s made quite the impression at his first training camp with the New York Rangers. But that might not be enough to earn a spot on their opening-night roster.

The 22-year-old is one of 26 players remaining on the training-camp roster. More importantly, he’s among eight defensemen vying for seven spots on the roster. And by the looks of things, Morrow could very well be the odd man out when the Rangers open the regular season Tuesday at Madison Square Garden against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The past two practices, Morrow’s partnered with Matthew Robertson on a de-facto fourth pair. Vladislav Gavrikov and Adam Fox make up the No. 1 pair; veterans Carson Soucy and Will Borgen reunited on the second pair after doing so earlier in their careers with the Seattle Kraken; and the third pair appears set with Urho Vaakanainen and Braden Schneider.

Great patience from Scott Morrow eventually leads to an absolute snipe from Othmann, 2-2. #NYR pic.twitter.com/Snbrov52aY

— Snark Messier (@NYRFanatic) September 25, 2025

If that remains the case, Morrow seems destined to begin the season with Hartford of the American Hockey League. Sitting in the press box as the seventh defenseman makes no sense for a top prospect like Morrow. In the minors, he’d likely play more than 20 minutes a night in all game situations and on both special teams.

“We’re thrilled that he’s a Ranger, and we really like what we’ve seen at this point,” coach Mike Sullivan raved about Morrow following practice Wednesday.

Though Morrow’s played in all four preseason games to date, Sullivan’s recent actions speak louder than his words. It appears the Rangers will go with a more experienced top six on defense, despite Morrow’s high-end skill set offensively.

“I think he’s a big, strong kid,” Sullivan said about the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder who has two points (goal, assist) in the preseason. “I think he skates well and has some offensive instincts. He has the ability to run a power play up top. I think he’s getting better defending, and that’s an area I’m fairly confident our coaching staff can help him there.”

Scott Morrow – New York Rangers (1)* pic.twitter.com/u8LcH1biPn

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) September 21, 2025

There’s no doubt the coach likes Morrow, whom the Rangers acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes this summer in the K’Andre Miller trade. The 2021 second-round pick (No. 40 overall) is as advertised offensively, but might not quite be NHL-ready on the defensive side of the puck.

Reliable defensive play is one of the main reasons highly-regarded forward Brennan Othmann was cut Tuesday and will begin the season with Hartford, and not on Broadway. Obviously, defending is an even bigger responsibility for Morrow, considering his position.

Scott Morrow could begin season in minors instead of with Rangers​

Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

An NCAA star over three seasons at UMass, Morrow turned pro last season and totaled 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 52 games with AHL Chicago, third-most among first-year defensemen. He also appeared in 14 games with the Hurricanes, scored his first NHL goal, and finished with six points.

Whether it’s now or a bit down the road, Morrow’s going to play an important role with the Rangers. He profiles as puck-moving defenseman on the third pair, who can quarterback the second power-play unit, behind Adam Fox on PP1.

And if Morrow is sent to the minors to begin the season, keep this in mind.

“Rosters in the NHL are fluid. They can change in a day. They could change next week,” Sullivan said Tuesday. “If a decision is reached today, it’s not like it’s etched in stone.”

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Robertson is a bit of a late-bloomer, entering his fifth pro season after the Rangers selected him in the second round (No. 49 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. The 24-year-old took a clear step forward in his development last season with Hartford after battling injuries and inconsistencies the previous three years.

He’s got good size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), is a decent puck mover, and played his first two NHL games with the Rangers at the end of last season. Robertson has the makings of a trusted seventh defenseman, but not a prospect whose development would be stunted in that role.

The Rangers conclude the preseason with a home game against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday and a matinee contest on the road Saturday against the Boston Bruins.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...row-rangers-training-camp-roster-competition/

 

[New York Rangers]

How Mike Sullivan weighs ‘balancing act’ with Rangers youngsters

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The question asked to Mike Sullivan on Thursday morning was about Scott Morrow. But the coach’s answer pertains to each of the New York Rangers prospects and younger players.

To paraphrase the question: if one of the kids lands a spot on the Rangers roster, does that mean he needs to play regularly as opposed to spending the bulk of his time watching from the press box as an extra and healthy scratch?

Again, the question was specifically about Morrow, the 22-year-old defenseman getting a long look to possibly earn a spot on the bottom pair in New York. But it applies to young forwards Gabe Perreault and Noah Laba, still here trying to earn a spot in the lineup, and Brennan Othmann, who already was assigned to Hartford of the American Hockey League earlier in the week.

“My experience tells me there’s no one right way or wrong way to do things,” Sullivan explained. “I think every player is unique and I think all players need to be handled on a case by case basis … and then we try to make the best decision for the both the player and the organization. Usually, they go hand in hand.”

Noah Laba scores the overtime winner as he continues to impress in his preseason with the Rangers.@NYRangers | #NYR pic.twitter.com/bPYXvo61EM

— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) September 30, 2025

Sullivan acknowledged “it’s hard [for a young player] to get better on the sidelines.” He added that some youngsters can be put right into the NHL fire “and never look back.” However, others may need to go through a “process” before ascending to the NHL.

Othmann appears to be such a case. Sullivan explained earlier in the week that the 2021 first-round pick needs to improve his two-way game, especially “on the defensive side of the puck.” So, Othmann will work on those things and play big minutes in the minors to start the season.

On Tuesday, the coach emphasized that the roster isn’t” set in stone” and it remains “fluid” throughout the season. Translation: a demotion doesn’t need to come with any finality at all.

“That’s part of the balancing act,” the coach said. “The question I think we’re all trying to answer is what path is best suited for a young player so that the young player can become the impact player we hope they can be in the most expeditious fashion?

“So, we can just throw guys into the lineup and say ‘Go figure it out.’ Or we can try to be a little more calculated and more proactive in trying to influence that development process, so that player progresses in the most optimal way.”

Scott Morrow trying to crack Rangers defense corps at ‘hardest position to play’ in NHL​

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Morrow, Perreault, and Laba each is in the lineup Thursday, when the Rangers host the New Jersey Devils in a preseason contest. Laba is trying to beat out Juuso Parssinen for the 3C role, and leads the Rangers with five points (one goal, four assists) in four preseason games. Perreault has two goals and an assist in four games, looking to prove he’s worthy of a top-nine opportunity in the lineup.

And Morrow? Sullivan had high praise for the highly-skilled defenseman the other day, though it feels like Morrow will start the season in Hartford. Still, the Connecticut native does get another opportunity to impress the coaching staff Thursday against the Devils, including a chance to quarterback the top power-play unit featuring Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, and Vincent Trocheck.

Great patience from Scott Morrow eventually leads to an absolute snipe from Othmann, 2-2. #NYR pic.twitter.com/Snbrov52aY

— Snark Messier (@NYRFanatic) September 25, 2025

So, we’ll see how his situation shakes out.

When talking about 24-year-old defenseman Matthew Robertson on Thursday, Sullivan emphasized that there’s a steep learning curve for young defensemen in the NHL. Keep that in mind before there’s a decision announced on Morrow.

“I think it’s the hardest position to play in the League,” Sullivan stated. “The goaltending position might be the most important position. But playing defense is the most difficult.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-coach-on-young-players-development/

 

[New York Rangers]

Key takeaways after Rangers lose 3-1 to Devils with roster cuts looming

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn ImagesDennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Perhaps the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils were in a rush to get the regular season started. Because they sure played a quick-moving preseason game Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, one that the Rangers lost 3-1 despite surrendering only 12 shots on goal.

The Devils (3-2-1) scored twice on six shots in the third period to break a 1-1 tie. Ondrej Palat scored a power-play goal at 2:44 to make it 2-1. And Dawson Mercer scored into an empty net on a shot from beyond center ice with 1:23 remaining in regulation to finish the Rangers off.

Adam Edstrom scored New York’s only goal, and didn’t even shoot the puck to record his first of the preseason. New Jersey defenseman Simon Nemec tried to clear the puck out of his own end of the ice, but instead shot it off Edstrom’s skate and between the pads of Jacob Markstrom, who was caught off guard at 13:30 of the second period.

Eddy finds the back of the net. pic.twitter.com/OiPRd1YeRm

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 3, 2025

That goal tied the game 1-1. New Jersey opened the scoring in a fast-paced first period that featured very few play stoppages. Matt Rempe’s turnover in the offensive zone led directly to Paul Cotter’s goal off the rush at 16:58.

Rempe won a battle for the puck along the right-wing boards, but his pass back to the blue line split rookie defensemen Brendan Morrow and Matthew Robertson. New Jersey’s Arseny Gritsyuk took off the other way, and his cross-ice pass was buried past Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick by Cotter.

FILTHY TWO-ON-ONE FROM THE DEVILS AND PAUL COTTER CASHES IN pic.twitter.com/qgaZXNppsK

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 5, 2024

The Devils owned the puck in the first period, forcing the Rangers to defend in their own end most of the opening 20 minutes. However, the Rangers didn’t allow clear shooting lanes and the Devils managed only three shots on goal — which was still one more than the Rangers.

However, the home team flipped the script in the second period, out-shooting the Devils 12-3 and posting a 73.2 percent expected goal share, per Natural Stat Trick. Still, the only they scored was off a fluky bounce. Markstrom made a pair of solid saves late in the period, point-blank against Edstrom at 17:20 and then against Conor Sheary on the doorstep 90 seconds later.

Palat’s eventual game-winning goal in the third period came on New Jersey’s only power play — the Rangers only had one, as well. The veteran Devils forward had his stick on the ice to redirect Dougie Hamilton’s low shot between Quick’s pads.

Alexis Lafreniere nearly tied the game at 17:17, bursting behind the defense before his backhand attempt off the rush was stuffed by Markstrom, who finished with 21 saves.

The Rangers (2-2-1) have one more preseason game, Saturday afternoon in Boston against the Bruins, before opening up the 2025-26 season schedule at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. They don’t face the Devils again until March 7.

Here are three takeaways after the Rangers dropped a 3-1 decision to the Devils in this preseason contest.

1. No Bread for you​

There was some concern when the Rangers took the ice for warmups and Artemi Panarin was not out there with his teammates. The Breadman was expected to make his preseason debut after missing the first four games due to a lower-body injury. But instead, he was held out of this game, too, as a precaution.

Panarin returned to practice last Friday and was a full participant at the morning skate Thursday. Hence the surprise, and concern, when he was a late scratch.

“I told you guys, he’s day to day, and we were going to err on the side of caution, him and J.T. [Miller]. And that’s where we are right now,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said postgame.

Miller sustained a lower-body injury and didn’t play Thursday.

Sheary moved up from the third line to take Panarin’s place on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Lafreniere. Edstrom bumped up from the fourth line into Sheary’s spot next to Juuso Parssinen and Taylor Raddysh. Jonny Brodzinski drew into the lineup on the fourth line and skated alongside Noah Laba and Rempe.

2. Vincent Trocheck brings snarl, skill combination to Rangers preseason​

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Don’t tell Trocheck this was just a preseason game. It was the Devils on the other side of the ice, and the 32-year-old center only knows one way to play the game. Full on.

Trocheck led the Rangers with three shots on goal and six hits. He also made the passes on each of New York’s best scoring chances — those mentioned above by Edstrom, Sheary, and Lafreniere.

He also drew the ire of Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler in the final minutes of regulation and the pair were assessed coincidental minor penalties for roughing. Sitting in the penalty box, Trocheck removed his bubble mask (used to protect his broken nose) and helmet and barked at Siegenthaler.

“I think that’s a big part of his game,” Sullivan explained. “I think he’s at his best when he’s in the middle of it. That’s the type player he is, he’s a fierce competitor. … He plays the game with a lot of courage.”

There’s a reason it can be argued that Trocheck remains the heartbeat of the Rangers.

3. Next round of Rangers cuts could come before final preseason game​

Sullivan is eager to get his opening-night roster in place. The Rangers currently have 26 players and need to get down to the maximum 23 by next week. It’s ecpected they’ll cut four players and start the season with 22 on the roster.

“Ideally we’d like to get a little closer to the roster, and , obviously, I’ll talk to [Rangers general manager Chris Drury] tonight and tomorrow morning, and pout a gameplan together for that,” Sullivan stated after the loss to the Devils.

Each of the young players on the bubble played his fifth straight preseason game Thursday, though none noticeably stood out. Laba, who leads the Rangers with five points (one goal, four assists) this preseason, started on the fourth line, but moved up in the third period to take extra shifts with Parssinen on the third line. They teamed with Gabe Perreault — who had a quiet night — for one extended O-zone shift, buzzing the Devils net 13 minutes into the final period.

Morrow logged 15:07 TOI and was on ice for all four goals (three against, one for) in the game.

“We’re trying to give some of these guys as long a look as we can and give them every opportunity to play so that we can get more and more familiar with their play and how they might fit within the roster right now,” Sullivan said.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-devils-preseason-game-recap/