Rangers Daily: Seeking answers as camp opens; Kaprizov talks ‘not cordial’
It’s here! After five long months since their miserable 2024-25 season mercifully ended, the New York Rangers open training camp Wednesday.
Each of the 61 players on the Rangers camp roster reports for physicals Wednesday. More importantly, new coach Mike Sullivan and general manager Chris Drury meet with reporters in the afternoon to answer questions publicly for the first time since Sullivan’s introductory press conference back in May.
One of those questions — who will be Rangers captain this season? — was answered Tuesday. The Rangers announced that J.T. Miller is the 29th captain in franchise history. And the five-man letter-wearing leadership group also includes alternates Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Mika Zibanejad.
However, it’ll be good to hear why Sully and Drury believe Miller is the right choice to wear the C instead of, say, Trocheck or Fox.
And though we’ve heard that Sullivan is leaning toward starting out with Zibabejad playing right wing on a line centered by Miller, let’s hear the coach’s thoughts on where 93 best fits in the lineup.
Of course, if Zibanejad plays on the wing, that leaves a hole at 3C. Very curious to hear what Sullivan thinks about the third-line center battle. And what about the makeup of that third line? Is Taylor Raddysh a lock? How long a look will youngsters Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann get in the preseason? Is Will Cuylle a top-six wing or will he bolster that third line? Are we right to assume that the Rangers will run it back with Panarin, Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere as a go-to line? What’s Brett Berard’s role? Are the Twin Towers of Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom the look Sullivan wants on the fourth line?
And those are just questions about the forwards. What’s the plan to improve defensively, especially after deficiencies in their own end sabotaged the Rangers time and again last season? Where will Vladislav Gavrikov line up? Will Braden Schneider move into a top-four role on his off (left) side? What do they think about Scott Morrow and his chances of landing on the opening-night roster? Is there a path for Matthew Robertson to make this team? What about Carson Soucy and Urho Vaakanainen?
Then there are power-play questions, penalty kill, and the coach’s overall philosophy and style. Who caught Sullivan’s eye at rookie camp? What of veterans Conor Sheary and Andrej Sustr, each here on a PTO?
We won’t get all of those questions answered Wednesday. But Sullivan — and Drury — should shed light on several of these key topics. And we’ll be there to report and provide analysis about it all right here at Forever Blueshirts.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Here’s a list and breakdown of the 61 players attending Rangers training camp.
Brennan Othmann was available to comment Tuesday about the Rangers decision to name Miller their new captain. And Othmann was full of praise for Miller.
Speaking of captains, the Rangers partnered with Mark Messier and his company to wear a “Game 7” patch on their sweaters this season.
NHL news and rumors
Daily Faceoff: The most intriguing unsigned free agent is off the market. Well, kind of. Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, who had 40 points with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, agreed to a PTO with the Chicago Blackhawks. That’s a tryout contract, but he could land an NHL deal with the Blackhawks or any other team with a good showing at camp.
TSN: Contract talks between Kirill Kaprizov and the Minnesota Wild are “not cordial,” per Pierre LeBrun. However, the Wild made it clear that Kaprizov is not on the trade market, even after he declined a massive contract offer that reportedly had a $16 million average annual value.
TSN: Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere confirmed that they will not re-sign free agent goalie Carter Hart. He said Hart’s representative told the Flyers the former No. 1 goalie is seeking a “fresh start” after being acquitted on recent charges of sexual assault.
Sportsnet: Former Rangers center Manny Malhotra received a contract extension from the Vancouver Canucks to remain coach of their American Hockey League affiliate in Abbotsford through 2026-27.
Hockey News: Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen could miss up to the first two months of the 2025-26 season recovering from March surgery to repair a torn triceps.
NHL.com: Connor Bedard learned to find a balance — “chill out” in his words — with his offseason conditioning program and feels fresher heading into his third NHL training camp with the Blackhawks.
San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks signed Oliver Wahlstrom to a PTO. The former Islanders first-round pick had already signed an AHL contract with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL.
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