The calendar flipped to October on Wednesday. There’s a chill in the air and the sun’s setting sooner. Leaves are beginning to turn and fall. And in six days, the New York Rangers play a game that counts in the standings.
The Blueshirts road to redemption after a dreary, disappointing 2024-25 season officially commences Oct. 7 with Game 1 of a new campaign against the Pittsburgh Penguins .
Our minds can drift to what lies ahead for the Rangers .
But for coach Mike Sullivan, his staff, and the players, there’s plenty more work to be done before that initial drop of the puck next Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
There are two preseason games remaining, and they’re important for several reasons. Not the least of which is that most of New York’s top players haven’t seen much time in the preseason. Artemi Panarin ’s yet to play because of a lower-body issue. And J.T. Miller , Mika Zibanejad , Adam Fox , Vladislav Gavrikov , Vincent Trocheck , Alexis Lafreniere , and Braden Schneider are among those to play in just one preseason game, so far.
That’ll change over the next few days. There’s a preseason game at MSG against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday and a Saturday matinee up in Boston against the Bruins. With the training camp roster already reduced to 27 players, there’ll be fewer tryouts and more attention paid to getting the veterans important ice time together.
There remain roster spots to be won — or lost — in the coming days, too. Just ask Gabe Perreault , Noah Laba , Scott Morrow and others about that.
So, plenty of Rangers business ahead in the next six days. But real hockey, hockey that counts, is right around the corner.
Let’s go!
Brennan Othmann topped a list of 11 players the Rangers assigned to Hartford of the American Hockey League, and coach Mike Sullivan explained why the former first-rounder didn’t make the big club.
J.T. Miller and Sam Carrick each is day to day with a lower-body injury. Sullivan explained why the Rangers will “err on the side of caution” with the centers.
Here’s where Braden Schneider is at after the defenseman made his preseason debut with the Rangers on Monday against the Islanders .
Breaking down why the Rangers should be excited about Igor Shesterkin ’s stellar play so far in the preseason.
TSN: Jonathan Toews left the Winnipeg Jets ’ preseason game against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday because the veteran center “tweaked something.” He’ll be further evaluated Wednesday.
NHL.com: Max Pacioretty retired from NHL after a 17-year career, and is now a special assistant to the head coach at the University of Michigan.
Forever Blueshirts: Former Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello is out at least 7-8 weeks for the Minnesota Wild due to a lower-body injury, believed to be a back issue.
Sportsnet: Andrei Vasilevskiy practiced for the first time Tuesday since Tampa Bay Lightning training camp started two weeks ago, and the goalie is on track to play in the regular-season opener next week.
TSN: Chris Johnston explained on Insider Trading why Connor McDavid is eyeing a shorter-term contract rather than an eight-year agreement, like the massive one signed by Kirill Kaprizov on Tuesday.
Vegas Hockey Now: Hannah Kirkell breaks down what that record-setting Kaprizov contract extension with the Wild means for Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel , who can become a UFA next summer.
Sportsnet: Fines and suspensions are expected after the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators combined for 150 penalty minutes in a brawl-filled preseason contest in Quebec City on Tuesday.
The Athletic ($$): Thomas Drance reports that the Vancouver Canucks may begin the season with 2025 first-round pick (No, 15 overall) Braedon Cootes on the roster .
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