Rangers continue to reduce roster, assign Bo Groulx to AHL Hartford

NHL: Preseason-New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils
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With training camp nearing its end and only one preseason game to play, the New York Rangers made another roster move Thursday. They assigned center Bo Groulx to Hartford of the American Hockey League.

This latest move wasn’t a surprise since the Rangers are loaded down the middle with five NHL centers likely on the opening-night roster — Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, Filip Chytil, Sam Carrick and Jonny Brodzinski.

Groulx had two assists in New York’s 5-4 preseason win against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Those were his only points in three preseason games. He also got into a fight against the Devils, jumping to the defense of teammate Will Cuylle.

The 24-year-old from France gives the Rangers depth at the center position within the organization. He played 45 games with the Anaheim Ducks last season and has 65 games of NHL experience on his resume.

“I signed here for a little bit of a change of scenery, I spent four years in Anaheim and I think it was time for both parties to split ways,” Groulx explained last week. “The Rangers were pretty much the first team to call and … it was a no brainer for me with the culture here, the organization, the chance.”

Related: Rangers long-shot Bo Groulx out to prove ‘I belong in NHL’

Rangers close to finalizing opening-night roster

NHL: San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks
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The Rangers have made a flurry of moves this week to reduce their roster ahead of opening night next Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Penguins.

First, New York cut nine players, including forward prospect Adam Sykora and two veterans who attended camp on a PTO — forward Adam Erne and defenseman Madison Bowey. Those two then signed PTOs with the Wolf Pack, and Bowey scored two goals for Hartford in a preseason game Wednesday.

Then the Blueshirts assigned goalie Louis Domingue, forward Anton Blidh and defensemen Brandon Scanlin and Casey Fitzgerald to Hartford after each cleared waivers. Rookie goalie Dylan Garand also was assigned to Hartford on Wednesday.

The Rangers are expected to carry 22 players on their opening-night roster. There are decisions still to be made because forward Jimmy Vesey (lower body) and defenseman Ryan Lindgren (upper body) are out with injuries. Plus, forward Artemi Panarin is day to day with a lower-body injury and will not play in the preseason finale Friday at the New York Islanders.

Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of... More about Jim Cerny

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