Rangers Roundup: Team looking for redemption, and a new skills coach on staff
The latest New York Rangers buzz focuses on the hiring of a new skills coach and the team’s pursuit of redemption this up coming season.
Let’s check in on today’s news and notes.
Rangers looking for redemption
Rangers training camp is still over a month away, but several veterans got together to skate at the Shoulder Check Showcase charity game.
One of those players was Chris Kreider, who told assembled media about the disappointment of losing to the New Jersey Devils in the first round.
“Like every guy on the team, I’ve got a pit in my stomach still and I expect that to turn into a bit of a chip on everyone’s shoulders,” Kreider said before participating in the Shoulder Check Showcase benefitting the HT40 Foundation with several of his Rangers’ teammates on Thursday. “We thought we had a good group. I still think we had a good group and we should have done better. We all know that.”
NHL.com
It’s been a long offseason and many of the Blueshirts are eager to rid themselves of the bad taste the playoffs left in their mouths.
Nobody more than Artemi Panarin it seems. This season, he will no longer be sporting a grand flow of hair out of his helmet. Apparently, he shaved his head to get rid of the bad vibes last year’s postseason gave him.
I mean, two assists in 7 playoff games will to do that to you.
New skills coach for Rangers
Per the New York Post’s Mollie Walker, Christian Hmura will take over for Mark Ciaccio as the skills coach. Meanwhile, Ciaccio asked for this change and will remain with the organization working with the team’s prospects
The news was posted on Instagram by the Chicago Mission with a statement that read in part:
We are thrilled to see Christian fulfill a lifelong dream to join the NHL as the Skills and Performance Development Coach for the New York Rangers.
Hmura, 36, was serving as the Mission’s director and head coach prior to the announcement. He also runs a hockey school named HHD Hockey in Illinois.
During the pandemic, Hmura started offering video training sessions to help kids keep their skills sharp.
“Just kind of converted over to the things you can do in either your basement or your driveway and just staying extremely relevant to our on-ice training,” Hmura told CBS News.
The Rangers have not made any official announcements on the hire.
New York Rangers
- Projected Cap Hit: $84,680,764
- Projected Cap Space: $-1,180,764
- Current Cap Space: $955,000
- Roster: 23/23
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