Victor Mancini, Connor Mackey vie for opening on Rangers blue line
One is a 22-year-old NHL newbie. The other is a 28-year-old journeyman. But Victor Mancini and Connor Mackey have one thing in common: Each is trying to show he’s worthy of being among the seven defensemen on the New York Rangers’ 23-man opening-night roster.
A lower-body injury that will keep Ryan Lindgren, Adam Fox’s partner on the first defense pair, out of the lineup for a few weeks has created an opening among the top six on D. Mancini, the Rangers’ fifth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, turned pro last spring and played seven games with Hartford, the Rangers’ affiliate in the American Hockey League after three seasons with Nebraska-Omaha. Mackey signed with the Rangers as a free agent last summer and spent most of the season with Hartford but got into one game with New York in 2023-24.
For now, the two 6-foot-3 defensemen are the most likely candidates to fill the opening left by Lindgren’s injury, assuming Chad Ruhwedel was already a lock to make the opening-night roster as the extra defensemen.
Each has played in four of New York’s five preseason games — neither played Monday in a 3-1 road loss to the New Jersey Devils. They scored 28 seconds apart in the second period of the Rangers’ 5-4 win in the rematch; it was Mancini’s second goal of the preseason and Mackey’s first. Mackey also picked up his second fighting major of the preseason when he squared off with New Jersey’s Nathan Legare 4:59 into the middle period; Mancini has one minor penalty in his four games. Mancini has seen a bit more preseason ice time, averaging 20:51 per game to 19:09 for Mackey.
Mancini has more offensive skills; Mackey is more physical. Mancini, a right-hand shot, would likely have to play on his off side; Mackey is a lefty.
Related: Rangers assign 5 players to AHL Hartford, including 4 who cleared waivers
Victor Mancini, Connor Mackey make positive impressions with Rangers coach
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, a defenseman during his playing career, had positive things to say about both after the win against New Jersey.
“He’s played well,” the coach said of Mancini, who’s worked his way up after entering training camp as a long shot to make the roster. “He’s played in a lot of scrimmages and a lot of games for us. He’s taken down a lot of ice time and games, from rookie camp through this camp here. Sometimes for young players, that can be a little bit challenging.
“The response he had tonight was really good. Tonight I thought we were sharper with our game, and he was definitely sharper with his game — his skating, his puck movement, his escapability from the defensive zone, the ability to jump in offensively and get his head up and make a play.”
Mackey’s physical play has also impressed Laviolette.
“He’s been really good,” Laviolette said. “He had a really good game tonight, and that was good to see. He’s a guy who can play physical.”
Mancini has been gaining confidence as he goes through his first NHL camp.
“As the games go on and you play with the puck a little more and start to get a feel for the speed and the level of play, obviously (I feel) a little more comfortable every day,” he said Tuesday. “I think it’s been showing a little bit everywhere, starting in the (defensive) zone and then all the way up into the offensive zone.
“It’s been awesome. It’s been good for my confidence. To come from college and play that little bit in Hartford — to come here and perform well is what I wanted to do. I wanted to help the team as best I can, and I think I did just that.”
Rangers must make defense decision soon
Mackey also looks more comfortable in his second season with the Rangers organization.
“I’m more confident coming into camp,” he said. “This is my second year with the organization, so it’s nice just having that familiarity with everybody – the staff, the players. I feel good about my game so far, and I’m just trying to put my best foot forward every day.”
Mackey doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not. He’s never going to be a big offensive threat; his physicality is his selling point.
“I think that’s an element of my game,” he said, “just playing hard and physical, and sticking up for myself and my teammates.”
Each player knows there’s a roster spot to be had, at least for a while.
“Obviously it’s tough with (Lindgren) being out, but it’s another opportunity, another door open, Mackey said. “That lights a fire under you, and it’s something to play for.”
Laviolette isn’t tipping his hand about his final roster moves.
“It changes,” he said when asked postgame about roster decisions with opening night a week away (Oct. 9 against the Penguins in Pittsburgh). “It’s still training camp. We still have another game. We have more practices to go. We look at it every day and make decisions.”
More About:New York Rangers News
Read This Next
