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Rangers stock report: Who’s trending up, down halfway through preseason
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- Rangers stock report: Who’s trending up, down halfway through preseason
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Though training camp began less than two weeks ago, the New York Rangers are already halfway through their preseason schedule. The Rangers are 1-1-1, mixing encouraging signs with one major flaw, ahead of their next preseason contest Monday against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena.
After skating to a 5-3 road win against the New Jersey Devils in their preseason opener, the Rangers returned to Madison Square Garden and lost two games, letting multi-goal third-period leads slip away each time.
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Suboptimal, yes. Especially because it invokes bad memories from last season, when shoddy defense, blown leads, and an inability to rally late in games were a big part of why the Rangers failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in four years .
Mike Sullivan certainly wants this potential trend to end here and now, before the games and standings points count.
However, the new coach has plenty to be happy about. The Rangers scored 13 goals in the first three preseason games, tied for most in the Eastern Conference with the Toronto Maple Leafs . And the kids have played so well, there's serious competition for roster spots and less concern about organizational depth.
That said, now's an excellent time to check the Rangers stock report, and see who's climbing and who's headed in the other direction halfway through the preseason.
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Note: we're focusing less on established veterans and more on other players in camp .
Related: Why Rangers will play 'hybrid game' style under coach Mike Sullivan
Trending u p — Noah Laba
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The 22-year-old is the most pleasant surprise at Rangers training camp to this point. Laba leads the Rangers with four points (all assists), and that's just part of the reason why he's been so impressive. The 2022 fourth-round pick is equal parts smart and poised, has good size (6-foot-3, 213 pounds) and speed, plays a committed 200-foot game, and is noticeable on the ice for all the right reasons. Despite only 11 games of pro experience at the minor-league level, Laba's gone from roster long-shot to quite possibly the third-line center for the Rangers on opening night against the Pittsburgh Penguins .
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Trending up — Gabe Perreault
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Unlike Laba, Perreault entered his first NHL training camp with high expectations that come with being a first-round (2023) draft choice. The hype appears warranted. Perreault leads the Rangers with two goals and there's a chance he beats out a deep field to land a roster spot. The 20-year-old needs work on his defensive game, but his offensive skill set is as advertised. He also opened eyes in three preseason appearances by winning puck battles against bigger, stronger opponents, and consistently getting to the net and slot area for scoring opportunities.
Trending up — Brett Berard
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Playing with his typical mix of speed, energy, and non-stop motor, Berard's off to a good start in the preseason with two points (one goal, one assist). The 23-year-old's shoulder injury from last season is fully healed and he's right there in the mix of forwards competing for one or two spots on the roster.
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Trending up — Conor Sheary
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The diminutive (5-foot-8) forward is playing like his career is on the line. Which it is. In camp on a PTO, Sheary was the First Star of the game against the Devils and stood out on the third line in a 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders. The 33-year-old's got three points (one goal, two assists) in two games, to go along with numerous other scoring chances. Plus he plays with a combination of speed and bite that Sullivan likes. That Sheary won the Stanley Cup twice under Sullivan with the Penguins only strengthens his chance of earning one of the 13 or 14 forward spots on the Rangers roster.
Trending up – Brennan Othmann
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The 2021 first-round pick was trending down after an uninspiring start to the preseason — one which included a five-minute elbowing major and game misconduct against the Devils. Othmann was a bit more noticeable in the second preseason game against the Boston Bruins (three shots on goal, more assertive play). And then he rose to the occasion, playing on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere against the Islanders. Othmann scored a power-play goal on a left-wing snipe, routinely got to the net to screen the goalie, was engaged physically, and had at least two other prime chances to score. That's the player the Rangers need to see consistently. And it has the 22-year-old trending up again, which is how he started the month with an outstanding rookie camp.
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Trending up – Matt Rempe
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Rempe is a prime example of hard work paying off. The towering forward appears to be in peak physical condition and has been a menace on the ice during the preseason. His skating is considerably improved and he's grown his all-around game. Rempe is not just a fighter anymore. He's proving to be an good, effective hockey player, and an absolute force on the forecheck and getting to the net to screen goalies with his 6-foot-9 frame.
In the middle – Scott Morrow
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The first defenseman mentioned in this list is Morrow. And right now, he's stuck in the murky middle, not necessarily trending down, but not exactly solidly upward either. His high-end offensive skill's been evident in three preseason outings, even beyond his two points (goal, assist). His anticipation, patience, passing skills, and command from the offensive blue line stand out and appear NHL-ready. But his defensive play's been a mixed bag, and that's the area the Rangers are most concerned about. Morrow very well could be on the third defense pair with the Rangers to start the season, or playing 20+ minutes per night in all game situations with Hartford of the American Hockey League. It's not clear-cut where he lands just yet based on his preseason play to date.
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Trending down – Dylan Garand
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This is picking low-hanging fruit after Garand allowed three goals (including two softies) on 10 shots in the third period Thursday, ending in a 5-4 loss to the Islanders. The game-winner by Kyle Palmieri , a soft backhand shot off the rush, simply can't go in. But the puck hit Garand, rolled up his right arm and over the goal line. He's still going to be the No. 1 goalie in Hartford, that doesn't change for the 2025 AHL All-Star. But it wasn't a great impression on the new coaching staff, especially since Garand in third on the organizational depth chart and one injury away from being the NHL backup.
Trending down – Matthew Robertson
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There's still a world where Robertson opens the season as New York's seventh defenseman, beating out veterans Connor Mackey and Andrej Sustr (in camp on PTO) should Morrow wind up in Hartford. But the 24-year-old hasn't done much with his opportunities in the preseason. He's a team-worst minus-4 (yes, we know that's not always a perfect indicator of success or failure) and simply hasn't stood out in any positive way. Now in his fifth pro season, Robertson's played just two NHL games and could very well be back in Hartford in 2025-26.
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