Rangers Roundup: Jacob Trouba gets first win as captain, Talyn Boyko signs ELC, and more
Jacob Trouba was named the New York Rangers captain over the summer. It was a special moment for him and his teammates overwhelmingly supported the decision.
After the Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 at home to open the season, Trouba had the honor of bestowing the Broadway Hat to the player of the game. The tradition was started by Brad Richards in his tenure with the Blueshirts in 2011.
Jacob Trouba gets first win as captain
Trouba awarded the hat to the star of the game Mika Zibanejad, who led the team with a shorthanded and power play goal in the contest.
Zibanejad, who was certainly in consideration for the captaincy, turned around and gave it back to Trouba.
“I’m going to give this back to you,” Zibanejad said to a roaring locker-room. “First win as captain.”
Trouba, 28, registered an assist on Mika’s shorthanded goal. Last season, he registered a whopping 207 hits and added 39 points in 81 contests.
After the game, Trouba spoke about his team’s effort and Zibanejad’s brilliant performance.
“It was a good team game. We’ll be happy if we play 82 like those I think,” he began. “Everybody loves [Mika]. He’s a great player and teammate. He had a great playoffs and to have a start like that… he’s special.”
Zibanejad, 29, recorded two goals to start the 2022-23 campaign. This is his first year of an 8-year contract that comes with an AAV of $8.5M. Last season, he recorded a career-best 81 points in 81 games.
Rangers sign Talyn Boyko
On Tuesday, the New York Rangers announced they signed prospect goalie Talyn Boyko to his entry-level contract. Financial terms were not disclosed by the team but PuckPedia lists the AAV $851K.
He was selected by the Blueshirts in the 2021 Draft in the fourth round.
“I can’t explain the feeling of being selected by a franchise like the Rangers,” Boyko said to us last September. “I’ve heard nothing but positive things about Mr. Allarie. It’ll be an honor to meet him and learn from him.”
Per the press release:
Boyko, 19, split his 2021-22 season with the Tri-City Americans and Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL). With Kelowna, Boyko posted a 28-12-4 record, 2.79 goals-against average, .913 save percentage, and two shutouts in 46 games. In addition, Boyko appeared in four playoff games for the Rockets. Last season, he was named to the WHL’s Second All-Star Team.
In four WHL seasons, the 6-7, 208-pound goaltender native posted a 43-43-8 record for a 3.56 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 102 appearances.
“Dream come true to sign my first NHL contract with the New York Rangers,” Boyko tweeted after signing. “Thank you to all my family, friends, teammates, coaches, billet families, and everyone else that supported me along the way!”
Vitali Kravtsov to be evaluated today
Rangers winger Vitali Kravtsov went to the locker room early in the first period after taking a hard hit from Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman. He’s been listed as “day-to-day” with further evaluation scheduled for Wednesday.
“He’s day-to-day, upper-body,” Gerard Gallant said of Kravtsov’s injury. “We’ll evaluate him tomorrow. You can never tell much early on after a game. Doctors will update us tomorrow.”
Kravtsov, 22, was taken 9th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. In 21 NHL games he has 4 points.
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