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Scott Morrow Impresses at Rangers Training Camp, Faces Roster Challenge
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- Scott Morrow Impresses at Rangers Training Camp, Faces Roster Challenge
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent 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 .
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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 .
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.
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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."
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.
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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
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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 who's 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 .
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