Rangers Roundup: Artemi Panarin, Gerard Gallant, and Filip Chytil day-to-day
The New York Rangers are back in action on Tuesday as they host the New York Islander at MSG. They’ll look to even their preseason record after being blanked 3-0 in Boston by the Bruins on Sunday.
Here’s today’s latest buzz surrounding the Blueshirts.
Related: Rangers vs Islanders preview
Artemi Panarin wants to move forward
As the Rangers prepare for what they hope is a long 2023-34 campaign, the bitter taste of last spring’s playoff disappointment lingers.
One player in particular, Artemi Panarin, expected to improve upon an average postseason run two years ago, only to put up a dud in a first round exit to the New Jersey Devils. It led to a lot of offseason inner-reflection and shaving his head clean to remove bad vibes.
“I felt terrible last year because we were in a situation where we can win the (Stanley) Cup,” Panarin said. “That’s how we were thinking before (the series). We had a great team, and then we lost like that after having a 2-0 lead – and especially my performance.”
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Panarin, 31, has been a Rangers offense producing machine since his impressive debut in 2019-2020. That season, he recorded a career-high 32 goals in just 69 games totaling 95 points. Unfortunately, the pandemic cut the year short leaving many to wonder what could’ve been as he was on a pace to score 112 points. Panarin established a career highs for assists (74) and points (96) in 75 games in 2021-22.
Last season, Panarin led the team in scoring for a fourth consecutive season with 92 points (29 goals, 63 assists). The dynamic winger has three seasons left on his deal with an AAV of $11,642,857.
Update: Per NYR PR, Artemi Panarin is day-to-day with a lower-body injury
“We’re hoping day-to-day,” Laviolette updated Panarin and Chytil’s status. “Just in general, with exhibition games you want to err on the side of caution.”
Related: Redemption for Panarin
Geard Gallant wants to coach again soon
Former Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant is “eager” to get back behind an NHL bench according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun. Although he’s still under contract with the Blueshirts for this season after mutually agreeing to part ways in May, he remains “definitely interested in coaching again.”
Gallant, 60, lasted just two years of his four-year contract. Over that time, he amassed a record of 99-46-19 with a .662 points percentage. However, his 13-14 postseason record coupled with back-to-back series losses after taking a 2-0 lead factored into the equation.
According to the NY Post’s Larry Brooks, several veterans were critical of Gallant during their exit interviews with Drury. Their biggest issues appeared to have been a lack of in-game adjustments and game-planning.
New head coach Peter Laviolette seems to be the anthithesis of Gallant, leading to many veterans speaking out about his refreshing approach.
“I think the attitude he brings, the energy, enthusiasm, is great,” captain Jacob Trouba stated. “The sense of direction I think is good for us. Already in the first practice, we’re going over offensive zone ideas. We went through systems up and down the ice with video. [The players] have to implement it, but he’s given us the tools to be successful this year.”
Filip Chytil Day to Day
Another practice, another player hurt seems to be a trend at Rangers training camp. This time, it’s Filip Chytil with an upper-body injury. He’s currently listed as day-to-day.
Chytil, 24, posted a career-season with 22 goals and totaled 45 points in 74 games last year.
“I know that I can score goals. I had a lot of chances, I didn’t score many of them and I scored over 20 goals (last year),” Chytil said via NY Post’s Mollie Walker. “I worked all summer on my shot, on scoring and I believe it was just a good start for me last year. I need to build up on that and be even better. I have confidence in myself and in my abilities. It’s going to be fun.”
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