Pack Scouting Tim Gettinger
In the 2016 Entry Draft, the New York Rangers used a 5th round pick (141st overall) to draft a 6’6” winger by the name of Tim Gettinger from North Olmsted, OH. At the time he had just completed his 2nd season playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League where he scored 17 goals and added 22 assists for 39 points in 60 games. Not known for being a big hitting forward or for being very physical, Gettinger’s strongest suits came in the form of being able to protect the puck along the boards on the forecheck, getting himself set up in front of the net to deflect shots and cleaning up the garbage in front of the net off rebounds. He was also known for being a very good penalty killer.
Gettinger had a good camp with the Rangers in 2018 where he scored one goal in 3 preseason games but it wasn’t enough and as many predicted. He found himself sent to Hartford to begin his pro career and played his first pro game on October 5th 2018 against the Providence Bruins. The big winger netted his first professional goal in that very game which was also the very first Wolf Pack goal scored that season. He quickly became a fan favorite.
Having scored 7 goals and picking up 4 assists for 11 points Gettinger was recalled by the Rangers on November 23rd to fill in for the injured Mats Zuccarello. He made his NHL debut the following night against the Washington Capitals. Gettinger would play in 4 games with the Rangers during the 2018-19 season registering 2 shots on goal and no points.
Scouting Gettinger
Sweeping changes across the entire Ranger organization meant a fresh start for many players, including Gettinger, for the 2019-20 season. During the preseason he only played in one game notching an assist in a 4-1 loss to the Flyers on September 21st and found himself back in Hartford to begin this season. Unlike last season where he scored his first goal in the first game, it took Gettinger until October 26th against Bridgeport to score his first of the season despite his first point of the season being in game number 2 of the season on October 6th, also against Bridgeport.
He began the season mostly playing 4th line right wing due to Filip Chytil, Boo Nieves and Vitali Kravtsov also having started the season here in Hartford and has stayed in the bottom 9 even with Kravtsov going back to the KHL and Chytil on recall to the Blueshirts with no signs of a return in sight. Gettinger found himself back in the spotlight of Broadway again though as he was recalled by the Rangers while forward Lias Andersson was sent down in a corresponding move it appeared.
While Gettinger had picked up his game in recent weeks and netting points in 3 of the last 4 games, a lot of questions surrounded why this move was made. Turns out Gettinger was chosen over the likes of Boo Nieves and Steven Fogarty is due to the fact that Gettinger would not need waivers.
While this may only be short term as Kaapo Kakko looks to return soon from the flu and even with the status of Mika Zibanejad still up in the air, I expect Tim Gettinger to play a somewhat physical game while working his way to the front of the net with some speed and skill mixed in. Only time will tell how Tim Gettinger will play out this latest stint with the Rangers but the hope is that he plays hard and does what he’s asked to do. If he does, he’ll make a bigger case for himself regarding any future roster moves that David Quinn and John Davidson may make and could find himself one step closer to a regular slot with the Blueshirts
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