Rangers CSI: What Tonight’s Roster Reveals
The Rangers are set to take on the Blackhawks at the Garden in preseason action. Tonight’s roster is as follows:
Goalies: Henrik Lundqvist, Cam Talbot
Defensemen: Dan Boyle, Dan Girardi, Matt Hunwick, Mike Kostka, Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal
Forwards: Derick Brassard, Anthony Duclair, Jesper Fast, Tanner Glass, Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, Ryan Malone, J.T. Miller, Rick Nash, Marty St. Louis, Lee Stempniak, Mats Zuccarello
*via BlueshirtsUnited.com
Evidence A (Goaltending):
This one is cut and dry. Lundqvist is the man in net, backed up by Talbot.
Evidence B (Defense):
The only case to be solved here is the 7th defense spot. I believe that will be decided tonight with Matt Hunwick currently in the lead for it.
Evidence C (Forwards):
This requires some real detective work. Forget the big names in the lineup, save for Marty St. Louis at center, which we think is a terrible idea. Of the 13 forward spots available (12 plus 1 extra) we feel that 8 spots are locked up by:
Rick Nash, Marty St. Louis, Derick Brassard, Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello, Carl Hagelin, Dominic Moore and JT Miller.
That means their is a competition for 5 spots to be had on the opening night roster. Two players we feel have inside tracks and will make it are:
Lee Stempniak and Tanner Glass.
That leaves 3 spots and at least 6 players with legit chances of making the team. Those names:
Anthony Duclair, Kevin Hayes, Ryan Haggerty, Jesper Fast, Ryan Malone and Matthew Lombardi.
These next two games (Saturday versus NJ) will go a long way in determining who those 3 players are. I will say this, tonight’s lineup may very well be the starting lineup on October 9th in St. Louis.
Reports have been coming out that the Rangers are looking to make a move to keep Duclair here. The Blueshirts are currently carrying the max of 50 contracts, and must make a move by Tuesday (10/7) to keep Duclair. Currently he is not one of those 50 contracts and thus the need to make a move in order to be in compliance with the salary cap.
New York has a KING, it only makes sense to add a “DUKE”.
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