Rangers Roundup: Nash ignores the haters, J.T. Miller getting rave reviews and more
Nash focused on winning (AP/Gus Ruelas)
As the preseason continues, the Rangers are ramping up for what we all hope is a long and victorious journey into summer. Here some key news and notes in Rangerstown.
Rick Nash just wants to win
The Rangers top goal scorer knows he has his haters and post season doubters. He doesn’t care either. He admitted in a recent MSG interview that he doesn’t have Twitter, Instagram and doesn’t read the papers or blogs. His only focus is helping the Rangers reach the mountain top of the NHL.
[su_quote cite=”NYPOST” url=”https://nypost.com/2015/09/25/rick-nashs-new-attitude-after-another-suspect-postseason/”]I think I’m at the point where all I’m trying to do individually is help the team win,” Nash said. “Whether that’s to be good on the PK, create goals, create offense, create momentum, that’s what I’m worried about individually, is to win a championship and do everything I can to help the team win it.”[/su_quote]
J.T. Miller is getting rave reviews
JT Miller (Getty)
The kid who used to draw Alain Vigneault‘s ire on a regular basis is now getting rave reviews and a big vote of confidence.
[su_quote cite=”Ranger Rants” url=”https://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/forwards_again_in_focus_with_lines_tonight/”]J.T., for us, he’s got great puck protection skills,” Vigneault said. “When he’s got the puck, he’s not afraid to take it to the net. We need to be confident when he doesn’t have the puck he’s making the right reads. He’s had real solid improvement both with the puck and without the puck. He came into camp with real good conditioning results. Just like any young player, he’s got to put it all together. We think he’s got upsides and a capability to do it. We’ll give him the ice time and hopefully he can. Whether that’s the top six, the top nine, the top 12, that’s depending how he does.”[/su_quote]
FTNYR NEW AD 2015
AV pushing to get more from Kevin Hayes
Alain Vigneault wants to unleash the beast within Kevin Hayes and he will continue to do so tonight with him on the wing. Per the NYPOST: “I’m expecting more from his game so far,” Vigneault said. “I understand it’s training camp, but Kevin needs to pick up his play a little bit.”
Rangers’ Marek Hrivik on waiver wire at noon…Wonder if he’ll get a look
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) September 26, 2015
Stoll looking like a 3rd or 4th line lock
Jarret Stoll has endeared himself rather quickly to head coach Alain Vigneault. The head coach had this to say about the Rangers face-off specialist.
[su_quote cite=”Ranger Rants” url=”https://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/forwards_again_in_focus_with_lines_tonight/”]âHe’s going to play well,” Vigneault said of Stoll. “Where does he fit in with our group. Is he a third-line center, a fourth-line center? Is he a winger? Like all veteran players, he’ll get a real good look. Hopefully his performance will do the job. That experience two (Stanley) Cups, that’s a big thing and we’re hoping he’s going to be able to come in and contribute for us.”[/su_quote]
Stoll (MSG)
Dominic Moore on the wing against NJ?
AV is tinkering again. Tonight, he will dress Dominic Moore as a winger. I wouldn’t make much of it aside from he just wants to see how he looks there. As per Andrew Gross of NorthJersey.com, he and Hayes will play wing on these line combinations:
Dominic Moore-Jarret Stoll-Viktor Stalberg
Kevin Hayes-Oscar Lindberg–Jesper Fast
Certainly an interesting experiment, but one that won’t likely be used in the regular season.