Report: Make room for Reunanen! New York Rangers prospect defenseman will be coming over from Finland
A well placed source has confirmed with me that promising Finnish defenseman Tarmo Reunanen will be coming to New York.
Tarmo Reunanen will be part of New York Rangers training camp
The name Tarmo Reunanen was not one many New York Rangers fans knew much of back in 2016. Selected 98th overall in the fourth round, only prospect connoisseurs were aware he existed. Now, Rangers fans are hearing it more and more as it looks like the 22 year-old is ready to make a serious pitch for a starting job.
“I have no idea about the schedule but I am ready to leave immediately when everything is clear and I get the call from the Rangers,” he told Forever Blueshirts back in October.
At the time of our conversation, the left-handed defender was playing in TUTO, Finland’s second tier league. He dominated TUTO with 9 points in 7 games before finally working a deal with HPK in Liiga.
He’s also not shy about shooting. In a game on November 18th against JYP, he attempted 9 shots in 26:54 of ice. Tarmo followed up that performance with six more shot attempts and notching a goal against TPS. However, what impressed those watching was his 28:58 of ice in that game on November 21st.
The Rangers do have some question marks on the left side defense, and look for Reunanen to put his best foot forward and compete for a job.
Reunanen no stranger to playing with Kaapo Kakko
Reunanen is friendly with fellow Finn, Kaapo Kakko. “We have played only couple games together in juniors…so not much,” he told us last May. “We have practiced in the same summer training group, the last couple summers so we talk a lot.”
The two Finns do know each other well and Tarmo was able to provide further insight on the Rangers 2nd overall pick in 2019. “As a person he is absolutely great and a funny guy also. He definitely loves hockey a lot. He never wants to lose no matter what he does“.
As the NHL and NHLPA have come to an agreement, Reunanen is ready to leave Liiga and report to Rangers training camp. He really is going to be one to keep an eye on. He’s ready to challenge both Libor Hajek, Brendan Smith, and Jack Johnson for a starting role on the left side defense.
Latest NHL Rumors
What will the Caps do now to replace Lundqvist and more.
More About:New York Rangers News New York Rangers Analysis