Adam Edstrom playing ‘complete game’ with Rangers to earn earn regular lineup role
At 6-foot-6, you’d think it’d be difficult for Adam Edstrom to go unnoticed. But that’s what happened to the towering New York Rangers forward this offseason.
However, when it came time to be noticed in September, Edstrom stood out, first at Rangers rookie camp, then at training camp and in the preseason. So, it wasn’t a major surprise that Edstrom bypassed a player that had previously overshadowed him — literally and figuratively — in 6-foot-9 Matt Rempe.
One month into the NHL season, Edstrom has played in each of the Rangers’ 11 games, helping them rush out to an 8-2-1 start. Rempe meanwhile is assigned to Hartford in the American Hockey League, after playing only three games with the Rangers.
And why is that, Peter Laviolette?
“I think it’s just more of a complete game,” the Rangers coach said about Edstrom after practice Monday. “I think he’s played well defensively. His size. His ability to skate. I do think he’s physical. … I think he’s done a good job. And I think he’s created offense as well, even if it doesn’t necessarily show on his statistics.”
Edstrom scored his first goal of the season in a 5-2 win against the New York Islanders on Sunday. The 24-year-old went to the net and had a puck deflect off of him and into the net. He also has one assist and is tied for fourth on the Rangers with 19 hits. He’s actually second on the team in hits/60 (13.45), behind only Will Cuylle (17.35) who’s among the League leaders in the category.
He had two goals in 11 games last season and another couple in the preseason. So, as Laviolette pointed out, the offense is there for the fourth-liner.
“He does get a step on defensemen to the outside. He does take it to the net and drive to the net,” he explained. “He did put up points in the rookie games and he did put up points in the preseason. So, there definitely is potential, we do see that, as well.”
Related: Rangers like ‘potential’ of Jimmy Vesey leading 4th line to shut down opposing stars
Adam Edstrom doing ‘real good job’ with Rangers
Edstrom took advantage of an opportunity that came about when Jimmy Vesey sustained a lower-body injury during a training-camp practice. Likely already on his way to winning a roster spot, Edstrom did more than that with Vesey out — and who eventually landed on LTIR and missed the first 10 games.
He bypassed Rempe for a full-time spot on the fourth line with center Sam Carrick. That left Rempe and Jonny Brodzinski to battle for time on right wing. When Vesey was activated and returned to the lineup Sunday, there was no surprise that Edstrom remained in the lineup, nor that Rempe was sent to the minors.
“He’s just a real good job of being a player that can play in all three zones,” Laviolette said about Rempe.
Edstrom has been on ice for only one goal against this season (one for). He has a 57.83 percent scoring chances for percentage, and it’s 54.76 for high-danger chances, per Natural Stat Trick. Not bad for a fourth-line forward.
Nothing is guaranteed moving forward. Brodzinski is highly regarded by Laviolette and, at 31, is the more experienced player. Plus Rempe will be pushing from the minors. But for now, Edstrom has got himself a regular full-time spot in the Rangers lineup, and he’s making the most of it.
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