If the NHL changes to a 4-on-4, no-checking format next season, Jonny Brodzsinki should be in line for a big year with the New York Rangers .
Kidding aside, it was fun to see the Rangers forward record a hat trick in the Da Beauty League on Wednesday night.
Da Beauty League is a popular summer hockey league in Minnesota that features plenty of professional players. Checking is forbidden, there's plenty of open ice playing 4-on-4, and defense is absolutely optional. There are other quirky rules that've helped make this an extremely popular league to play in during the offseason.
Brodzinski, a Minnesota native, has averaged 3.4 points per game in the glorified shinny contests since 2022. His hat trick for Team Walser on Wednesday was his sixth in 19 "career" games in Da Beauty League.
As you can see in the videos, playing defense is not a big part of these games, and it's not exactly fun being a Da Beauty League goalie. While there are plenty of big-time NHL forwards and defenseman who play in this summer league, there aren't many recognizable goalies.
At the end of the day, it's a fun part of the summer workout routine for many players, like Brodzinski, and breaks up the training grind.
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Things turn a bit more serious for the 32-year-old when he returns to New York for training camp in September. Coming off a career-high 12 goals in 51 games last season, Brodzinski is in the mix to center the Rangers third line, or possibly fourth line should Sam Carrick be moved up by new coach Mike Sullivan.
Of course, there's also the Mika Zibanejad factor which will impact Brodzinski one way or another. If Zibanejad plays center next season, the Rangers are four deep down the middle with him, J.T. Miller , Vincent Trocheck and Carrick. That leaves Brodzinski battling for a spot on the wing in the bottom six, or as the 13th forward, a role he's very familiar with.
If Zibanejad plays right wing in the top six, that opens up a spot down the middle. In that scenario, Brodzinski will compete with Juuso Parssinen primarily for a spot in the top-12 forward group.
It's hard to imagine Brodzinski not having a role with the Rangers in 2025-26, his final season before he can become an unrestricted free agent . He's emerged the past two seasons as a versatile and trusted player for the Blueshirts, not to mention a leader, primarily for the younger players.
Whether Sullivan views him as a lineup regular or someone who can slot in and out, up and down, the lineup remains to be seen.
For now, he's just enjoying lighting the lamp back home in Da Beauty League.
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