The Rangers will welcome 22 young hopefuls to their training facility on Wednesday.

They range from players such as recent first-rounders Brennan Othmann (2021) and Gabe Perreault (2023), a pair of forwards who the Rangers would like to see make the team this season, to trade acquisitions such as defensemen Scott Morrow and Jackson Dorrington to later-round picks like center Noah Laba.

All will be trying to make an impression on new coach Mike Sullivan and his staff.

Here’s the official roster.

One player who won’t be there is the Rangers’ first pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, forward Malcolm Spence. He will play at the University of Michigan this season, and classes are under way. The NCAA has not altered the rule that college players cannot attend pro team camps that overlap with the academic calendar. 

There will be two days of workouts before the kids get their first taste of action – they play the Philadelphia Flyers’ rookies on Friday and Saturday in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The veterans report next week, and the first preseason game is against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Sept. 21.

New York Rangers news and analysis

Does Perreault think too much on the ice? hockey prospects reporter Russ Cohen of Sportsology told Forever Blueshirts on the RINK RAP podcast that might have been the case when during the 20-year-old’s five-game stint with the Rangers late last season. He said he’s curious to see if the “old” Perreault shows up at camp this season.

Two ex-Rangers are back on Broadway as part of a revamped front office. Forward Blake Wheeler, who finished his playing career with the Rangers in 2023-24,  was named hockey operations adviser on Monday. Forward Ryane Clowe, who played 12 games on Broadway in 2013, returns as assistant general manager, one day after resigning the same post with the San Jose Sharks. He had worked three seasons for the Blueshirts before joining the Sharks under GM Mike Grier.

Also, Ryan Martin was promoted to associate GM under Chris Drury – he’ll also continue in his role as GM of the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Jim Sullivan was promoted to assistant GM.

NHL news and rumors

TSN: The Calgary Flames liked what they saw from rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf last season, so they signed him to a seven-year, $52.5 million contract ($7.5 million average annual value). The 24-year-old was 29-16-8 with a .910 save percentage and a 2.64 goals-against average; he finished second to Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Huston in voting for the Calder Trophy – quite a first season for a player taken in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Draft. 

The Athletic: The Columbus Blue Jackets and talented young center Adam Fantilli don’t appear to be in any rush to talk about his next contract. The No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft is entering the final season of his rookie contract, but “We’ve had no negotiations at all,” Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell told Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. “I spoke with [Fantilli’s agent Pat] Brisson last week, and they’re in no hurry from their end. It won’t get done before the season.”

The Sporting News: Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, who missed the final 31 games of last season because of a kneecap injury that required surgery, said during the NHLPA North American Player Media Tour on Monday that the injured knee may never get back to the way it used to feel, but that
“mentally, I’m at a point now where it doesn’t really matter.” He also said he’d be “100 percent ready” if the Islanders had a game tomorrow.

Sportsnet: The Vancouver Canucks are hoping that a newly married and bulked up Elias Pettersson will return to being one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive forwards. He’s added 13 pounds of muscle during the offseason. The Canucks needs him to play a lot better than he did during his injury- and drama-plagued 2024-25 season that saw the highest-paid Canuck finish with 15 goals and 45 points in 64 games.

Wheeler was named hockey operations adviser on Monday. Clowe was named assistant general manager, one day after resigning the same post with the San Jose Sharks.

Neither Wheeler nor Clowe had a long playing tenure with the Rangers. But each left a positive impression on the organization.

Wheeler played the last of his 16 NHL seasons with the Rangers in 2023-24, helping them establish franchise records for wins (55) and points (114). The Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy that season and advanced to the Eastern Conference Final, losing in six games to the Florida Panthers.

The long-time Winnipeg Jets star played a key role with the Rangers that season. Wheeler was an important veteran leader and respected voice in the dressing room. He also played up and down each of the top three lines, until a gruesome injury on Feb. 15, 2024, ended his regular season.

Wheeler was back on the ice for Game 4 of the conference final that spring. That didn’t go well and ended up to be the final game he played in the NHL. He officially retired July 19, 2024.

“I tore the ligaments on both sides of my ankle, and then I broke my fibula,” Wheeler said at the time. “Once I got hurt, I was already kinda feeling like that was gonna be sort of my last year when I was playing, even healthy in New York. And then when the injury happened, it just felt like that was some sort of sign. I hadn’t really been hurt my entire career more or less.”

Wheeler totaled 21 points ( nine goals, 12 assists) in 54 games with the Rangers. He had 943 points (321 goals, 622 assists) in 1,172 NHL games with the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Jets, and Rangers.

Related: Why Rangers ‘are going to get better with David Quinn coaching the defense’: Pierre McGuire tells Forever Blueshirts

Rangers add Blake Wheeler, Ryan Clowe to management team under GM Chris Drury

Clowe played 12 games with the Rangers in the lockout-shortened 2013 season. He was acquired in a trade with the Sharks and had eight points (three goals, five assists) and 14 penalty minutes wearing the Blueshirt. Concussion issues derailed his career, though he did play parts of the next two seasons with the New Jersey Devils before retiring as a player.

The 42-year-old worked in the Rangers front office for three seasons prior to serving as Mike Grier’s assistant with the Sharks. He also was an assistant coach with the Devils for two seasons.

Clowe appeared in 491 games as a player in the NHL with the Sharks, rangers and Devils, totaling 309 points (112 goals, 197 assists) and 618 penalty minutes.

The Rangers also promoted Ryan Martin to associate general manager. He held the title of assistant GM for the past four years, and will remain general manager of New York’s AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

In addition, Jim Sullivan was promoted to assistant GM. He’s entering his 17th season with the Rangers and worked his way up the organization after starting out as a video analyst in 2009.

The 38-year-old forward’s last of 16 NHL seasons saw him put up 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 54 games with the Rangers before sustaining a lower-body injury against the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 15, 2024, that kept him out of the remainder of the regular season.

He didn’t play again taking the ice for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers on May 28, 2024. Wheeler was scoreless in 9:18 of ice time in his final NHL appearance.

Blake Wheeler has retired from the NHL. The former Winnipeg Jets captain played 1,172 career games, with 943 points and 321 goals ✈️ pic.twitter.com/R01QDlJIF7

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 19, 2025

“I tore the ligaments on both sides of my ankle, and then I broke my fibula,” Wheeler said Wednesday on “Jets at Noon.” “Once I got hurt, I was already kinda feeling like that was gonna be sort of my last year when I was playing, even healthy in New York. And then when the injury happened, it just felt like that was some sort of sign. I hadn’t really been hurt my entire career more or less.”

Wheeler went unsigned prior to the 2024-25 season but opted against retiring and officially remained a free agent until telling “Jets at Noon” this week that his career was over.

“I just didn’t have anything left in the tank for it,” he said. “I was at peace with it almost immediately.” 

The injury was a turning point for a player who had remained relatively healthy throughout his career.

Blake Wheeler, who finished NHL career with Rangers, retires

Wheeler spent 13 seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets organization after he was acquired by the Thrashers in February 2011 in a trade with the Boston Bruins, who had signed him as a free agent on July 1, 2008. The Arizona Coyotes had taken him with the fifth pick in the 2004 NHL Draft but were unable to sign him after his college career at Minnesota ended.

The Thrashers franchise moved to Winnipeg in the summer of 2011, and Wheeler became a steady point producer for more than a decade. He was named captain heading into 2016-17 and wore the “C” for six seasons before coach Rick Bowness stripped him of the captaincy before the 2022-23 season.

The native of Plymouth, Minnesota, had back-to-back 91-point seasons in 2017–18 and 2018–19, and was selected to the NHL All-Star Game in each season. He had at least 20 goals and 60 points in seven consecutive seasons with the Jets while serving as a steadying presence in the locker room during six trips to the playoffs.

Blake Wheeler is calling it a career after 1,172 games! 👏

Best of luck in retirement, Blake! pic.twitter.com/j1h41nVE80

— NHL (@NHL) July 19, 2025

He finished his NHL career with 943 points (321 goals, 622 assists) in 1,172 regular-season games, and had 45 points (10 goals, 35 assists) in 66 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Wheeler remains the Jets’ all-time leader in games played (897), assists (550) and points (812).

After the Jets bought out his contract in June 2023, the Rangers signed Wheeler to a one-year contract on July 1, 2023; the deal was worth $800,000 with another $300,000 in potential bonuses. 

“More or less, right after last year knew I was all done,” Wheeler said. “I just haven’t felt like a rush to like make a formal announcement or anything. But yeah, after my injury and kinda the way things ended last year,

“So yeah, I was at peace with it almost immediately after last year.”

Wheeler is the second player this week to announce his retirement after playing his final season with the Rangers. Goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who backed up Igor Shesterkin in 2022-23 and spent the next two seasons unable to find another team willing to sign him, officially retired on Friday. He finished his career with 295 wins and 53 shutouts.

However, new reports indicate that the Boston Bruins may be interested in offering a professional tryout (PTO) to Wheeler, bringing him back to the team where his NHL career began.

A source close to the situation has told me the #NHLBruins are considering extending PTO (Professional Tryout) offers to forwards Blake Wheeler and Kailer Yamamoto.

— Shawn Hutcheon (@ShawnHutcheon) August 19, 2024

Wheeler played nearly three seasons for the Bruins at the start of his career, earning 50 goals and 100 points in that time.

If Wheeler is going to return for another season, it would have been nice to have him around with the Rangers. The veteran forward registered 21 points in 54 regular season games before his leg injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season and the majority of the playoffs. He made a heroic return for just one playoff game where he had 9:18 of time on the ice.

Related: Most important 2024-25 New York Rangers: 16-20

Rangers veteran Blake Wheeler may end up in Boston this season

Wheeler was beginning to find some chemistry on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. He was a solid supporting player for those two, and the lines, at times, looked like they were finally all starting to click. While the job has been passed to Reilly Smith, having Wheeler as a third or fourth line option would have been nice, especially if injuries occur.

Aside from his play on the ice, Wheeler was a key part of the veteran leadership group in the locker room and served as a mentor to many of the young Ranger players. It was evident how close he became with the group while he was sidelined with injury, supporting his teammates from the glass throughout their memorable playoff run.

This is not to say that a return to New York is impossible. However, if Boston is going to try and offer a PTO, it more than likely means that Wheeler’s time as a Ranger is over.

If he does end up with the Bruins, Wheeler will be a great fit for a team that always seems to be in the mix for the top of the standings.

After adding players like Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, Boston will look to round out their depth, perhaps with players like Wheeler and Kailer Yamamoto, who is also rumored to get a PTO from the Bruins.

While many thought retirement was the likely path, Wheeler might just find himself suiting up for an Eastern Conference rival this fall.

The group includes forwards Blake Wheeler, Alex Wennberg and Jack Roslovic, and defensemen Erik Gustafsson and Chad Ruhwedel.

Wheeler, who will be 38 next season and is coming off a tough knee injury that sidelined him three months, could retire.

“I don’t know,” Wheeler said Tuesday at break-up day, when asked if he wants to play next season.

“I still love the game, still love to play,” he added, though referencing his desire to be home for his three children, including an 11-year-old son entering middle school.

Wheeler had 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 54 regular-season games during his first season with New York. He returned from his injury to play Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers, taking a key penalty in overtime that set up Florida’s game-winning goal.

The 16-year veteran has 321 goals and 943 points in 1,172 NHL games.

Wennberg, who was acquired from the Seattle Kraken ahead of the NHL trade deadline, said he enjoyed his time with the Rangers and has interest in re-signing.

“I would love to stay,” Wennberg explained. “That’s something we’ll discuss in the future. It’s good memories so far from this place. I would definitely want to come back here.”

Despite a lack of offensive production, Wennberg seemed to be a good fit with the Rangers. He was a key penalty killer and filled the third-line center role which was an area that New York was desperately searching for prior to the deadline because of Filip Chytil’s injury absence. With Chytil now healthy, there may not be a spot for Wennberg on this roster.

Wennberg notched one goal and four assists in 18 regular-season games with the Rangers after the trade. In 16 playoff games, he had one goal and one assist. His goal, of course, was the memorable overtime winner in Game 3 of the conference final, New York’s final win of the postseason.

“It’s been awesome,” Wennberg said. “Obviously disappointed with the ending, but time has been flying here. Coming to a good team, meeting new guys, and being a part of the New York Rangers was amazing. It would be a little nicer to win the whole thing, but I see this whole perspective from a really positive note for myself.”

Related: Emily Kaplan says Rangers had ‘too many passengers’ against Panthers in playoffs

Rangers could part ways with all unrestricted free agents

Roslovic, the other deadline acquisition for New York, is also a pending UFA. Similar to Wennberg, his status is currently unknown going forward.

Roslovic had three goals and five assists in 19 regular-season games after being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had a solid start to the playoffs, with five points in his first five games, but had just three assists in the remaining 11.

He did not really fill the role of a first-line right wing, as many have tried and failed alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. He was better in a depth role, but struggled to find consistency.

Gustafsson had a solid season for the Rangers. He earned 31 points in his first season with New York, and played a large when Adam Fox missed a month due to a knee injury in November. He has been a solid depth defenseman, playing alongside Braden Schneider for the majority of the season

In the playoffs, he logged three assists, and averaged 18:09 in ice time. He is another player who would like to stay in New York, but is uncertain as to what the future holds.

“Obviously, I love playing here,” Gustafsson said. “I can’t see into the future, but I have family and stuff like that. I have to see what’s happening. I love playing here, and I love the group in here. We’ll see what happens.”

Gustafsson signed to a very friendly $825,000 contract with the Rangers, and could be looking for a raise.

Ruhwedel played sparingly after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins and not at all in the postseason.

General manager Chris Drury has some important decisions to make here this summer. As seen in the playoffs, depth pieces can make or break a championship team, especially when the top players begin to struggle. But it would be a surprise if any of the five UFAs return next season.

Not only does it appear Chytil will play, but he very well could be back on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. The 24-year-old has been in that spot before during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but there’s extra added importance now with this best-of-7 series tied 2-2.

In addition, neither Zibanejad, Kreider nor Chytil has a point in this series. So, if they do skate on the same line, there’s going to be a lot of pressure on each player. For Chytil, there’s also the added nugget that he’s playing for the just the fifth time in nearly seven months after sustaining an upper-body injury believed to be a concussion on Nov. 2.

The three took line rushes together during the morning skate Thursday. Chytil also was on the second power-play unit with Alexis Lafreniere, Alex Wennberg, Jack Roslovic and Erik Gustafsson.

Zibanejad and Kreider were badly out-attempted (19-5) when on the ice together 5v5 in New York’s 3-2 overtime loss in Game 4 on Tuesday. Kreider did not record a shot on goal and had one attempt in nearly 20 minutes of ice time. Zibanejad had six shots on goal, with several good looks on the power play. However, his turnover in overtime led to Blake Wheeler’s hooking penalty on the backcheck, which resulted shortly thereafter in a game-winning power-play goal by Florida’s Sam Reinhart.

With Chytil scratched, Roslovic started Game 4 at right wing with Zibanejad and Kreider. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette them bumped Kaapo Kakko up to that line for a spark that never materialized.

Chytil was scratched because the Ranger remain careful pushing him after such a long time on the sidelines.

“This is just part of Fil’s coming back after such a long layoff and what we feel is best for him, to continue to move forward for us” Laviolette explained Tuesday. “You’re asking a lot for a guy who’s missed six months to come back and get up to that speed. So, this is part of the plan for him.”

Related: Important Rangers adjustment needed for Game 5 against Panthers

Rangers may tweak lines, defense pairings for Game 5 against Panthers

With Chytil’s return, Wheeler is expected to be the odd-man out for the Rangers on Thursday. The 37-year-old forward returned from a three-month injury absence to play Game 4 and took the critical penalty in overtime. Overall he had four hits and two blocked shots in just under 10 minutes of ice time.

Wheeler also showed a lot of class Wednesday, taking full responsibility for his penalty, even though he was chasing Aleksander Barkov only after Zibanejad’s giveaway.

“I’ve replayed it a million times between last night and this morning and I own that play,” Wheeler said. “I talked to [goalie Igor Shesterkin] about it after and asked him if he would prefer me to just let him take that look. If there’s anyone I trust to make that save it’s him. But if I had to do it all over again, I’d do the same thing.”

Wheeler was an extra forward at the morning skate. Matt Rempe, Barclay Goodrow and Will Cuylle made up the fourth line. Kakko and Roslovic were both on the third line with Wennberg.

The Rangers may shake up their defense pairings a bit for Game 5. During the morning skate, Braden Schneider was back with K’Andre Miller, and Jacob Trouba was paired with Gustafsson. That’s how the Rangers opened the first nine games of these playoffs. In the past five games, Trouba was with Miller, and Schneider skated with Gustafsson.

Wheeler was sitting in the penalty box when Sam Reinhart wired the game-winning overtime goal over Igor Shesterkin’s glove at 1:12 to send the best-of-7 series back to Madison Garden on Thursday tied 2-2.

The penalty was the result of many things, none of them good for the Rangers. Mika Zibanejad’s pass for Wheeler near the blue line in the offensive zone was batted away by Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola. That created a race the other way through center ice and into the Rangers zone, one that even under the best of circumstances, would be tough for Wheeler to win.

The puck found Aleksander Barkov, who broke in alone on Shesterkin, and Wheeler hooked the Panthers captain from behind, obstructing his shot attempt, though Shesterkin did make a save.

“It was a tough spot for [Wheeler] to be in,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “There was a lot of heat on, a lot of pressure. It was more what they did, I think, than him doing something.”

At first it appeared a penalty shot would be called but the officials instead sent Wheeler off for a two-minute minor. Florida won the ensuing face off, zipped the puck around and within 13 seconds it was in the back of the net, the game was over and Wheeler dejectedly exited the box.

“He got jammed up there on that call,” Laviolette offered.

Zibanejad later took responsibility for a poor pass that led to the turnover and rush back then other way.

“Obviously I should have probably made a different play, decision,” Zibanejad explained. “Just come back and try to make other decisions next time and hope that it goes my way.”

Related: ‘Poor Jake’: Panthers coach reacts to Jacob Trouba’s fine for elbowing penalty

Blake Wheeler inspires Rangers despite costly penalty

Wheeler logged 9:18 in ice time, playing 15 shifts, largely with Matt Rempe and Barclay Goodrow on the fourth line. Fired up to be back playing for the first time in more than three months, the 37-year-old was credited with three hits in the first period alone. He finished with four hits, 2 blocked shots and one takeaway.

“I thought he came in and there was times where Goodrow, Rempe and Wheeler put it in the offensive zone and they actually stayed down there,” Laviolette said. “Able to occupy some time and spend some minutes down there. First game back in a while. I thought he was good.”

The fact that Wheeler even was playing in a game was something. When he sustained his injury against the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 15, the Rangers said it was season-ending. He did miss the rest of the regular season, but worked so hard that he became an option to return to the lineup roughly a week ago.

“I think it speaks more to the character of the guy. Just the type of person he is,” Rangers captain Jacob Trouba said. “Not everybody would take the three-month journey to work their way back in that situation. That just speaks to the character of the man, of who he is. We saw how hard he worked the past three-plus months to come back and play and contribute to our team.”

Wheeler’s re-entry meant that Filip Chytil was a healthy scratch after playing three straight games, and four overall in the postseason. Chytil is scoreless in the playoffs after missing six months with an upper-body injury believed to be a concussion. Laviolette said that taking Chytil out of the lineup was not unexpected considering his long recovery.

With Jimmy Vesey sidelined for the rest of this round with an upper-body injury, there’s a spot to be had in the lineup. Rempe, Wheeler, Chytil and Kaapo Kakko have cycled in and out of the lineup the past few games, and the only forward who hasn’t played in this series is Jonny Brodzinski.

Not surprisingly, Laviolette didn’t tip his hand as to what his Game 5 lineup might look like.

That crucial fifth game takes place at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. And you know Wheeler is champing at the bit to get some redemption.

It was Wheeler’s first game action since the veteran forward sustained a lower-body injury against the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 15. The 37-year-old was declared out for the rest of the regular season at that point, but has stunned many by being able to even be an option for Rangers coach Peter Laviolette the past week or so.

Wheeler told Vince Mercogliano of Gannett on Monday, “If I go in, they know I’m going to go through a brick wall for this team.”

Filip Chytil was a healthy scratch Tuesday after playing the first three games of this best-of-7 series, which the Rangers lead 2-1. Chytil is without a point in four postseason games after missing six months with an upper-body injury believed to be a concussion.

Related: Panthers make line adjustments for Game 4 against Rangers

Blake Wheeler plays Game 4 for Rangers vs. Panthers, 1st game in 14 weeks after injury

Wheeler skated on the fourth line with playoff hero Barclay Goodrow and 6-foot-8 rookie Matt Rempe, who was in for his third consecutive game in this series after being scratched in Game 1.

Will Cuylle moved back up to the third line, to skate alongside Kaapo Kakko and Alex Wennberg, who scored the overtime winner in Game 3 on Sunday. Jack Roslovic, who was on the third line Sunday, slid back up to the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider to replace Chytil.

Wheeler has 65 games of Stanley Cup Playoffs experience with 10 goals and 45 points in those games. He helped the Winnipeg Jets reach the 2018 Western Conference Final but has never won the Stanley Cup.

He played 54 games with the Rangers this season, his first in New York, and finished with nine goals and 21 points. Despite minimal offensive production, Wheeler was lauded by teammates this season as an important veteran leader, both on and off the ice.

His return to practice a couple weeks ago provided an emotional lift to the Blueshirts. And it was even more special for the Rangers that he was back in the lineup Tuesday.

Kakko was a healthy scratch in Game 2 after playing in the first 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games this spring. Though his underlying numbers have not been bad, he has scored just one goal and two points.

The 23-year-old was replaced by Matt Rempe on Friday. Rempe played a big role in the victory, credited with nine hits in a bit more than 10 minutes of ice time. The 6-foot-8 rookie remained in the lineup Sunday for Game 3, his first road playoff game since the decisive Game 4 against the Washington Capitals in the first round.

“We made a decision to put Matt back in the lineup (in Game 2) … When somebody goes into the lineup, there’s a decision that has to be made on somebody else, ” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said about scratching Kakko in the previous game. “We don’t take them lightly.”

Kakko returned to the third line to play alongside Alex Wennberg and Jack Roslovic on Sunday. Will Cuylle dropped down the fourth line to play with Rempe and Game 2 hero Barclay Goodrow.

Blake Wheeler, whom Panthers coach Paul Maurice called “an inspirational leader” before Game 3, took part in warmups but remained a healthy scratch. Wheeler has not played since sustaining a lower-body injury in February.

Related: Brennan Othmann among 13 Rangers reinforcements for playoffs

Jimmy Vesey injury forces Rangers to make lineup decisions

Vesey was injured on an open-ice hit from Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg in the second period Friday. He left the ice favoring what appeared to be his left shoulder and didn’t return. He was ruled out for the series on Saturday.

Jimmy Vesey confirmed to not return to Game 2 after this hit from Lomberg https://t.co/P1oj8asxF0

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 25, 2024

“There are things that he brings to the table with regard to the way he plays – a checking line, the penalty kill,” Laviolette said about Vesey, who turned 31 on Sunday. “Everything factors into who comes back into the lineup … The good thing is up until Jimmy, we were getting healthier.”

HBD Jimmy! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/E7CVudmoWX

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 26, 2024

Vesey has one goal and three points in 12 playoff games after the veteran had 13 goals and 26 points in 80 regular-season games.

The Rangers and Panthers are tied 1-1 in the best-of-7 series. Game 4 will also be played in South Florida, on Tuesday.

After a lackluster start where the Rangers were blanked 3-0 in Game 1, Barclay Goodrow played overtime hero for a 2-1 win in Game 2 to even the series on Friday night. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette made some significant lineup adjustments which included the reinsertion of monster-sized rookie Matt Rempe and scratching Kaapo Kakko.

Almost immediately, the tone of the contest had a different feel as Rempe delivered nine big hits in 10:01 of ice time to counter Florida’s physical play. The 21-year-old forward, who normally does not play beyond the second period, was forced into more action due to Jimmy Vesey leaving the game with an upper-body injury after a hard hit by Ryan Lomberg.

“I remember ‘Lavy’ calling my name with two minutes left,” Rempe smiled postgame. “I was like, ‘Oh my God! Let’s go! Jiminy Crickets, let’s go!’ I was just thrown out there and tried to buzz around… And then in overtime, I got a little O-zone shift and was pretty excited about that. It was such a blast.”

Heading into Game 3, Rempe’s spot in the lineup appears solidified, but who comes in for Vesey after he was labeled week to week on Saturday? One option is to put Kakko back in, despite his struggles with just two points (one goal, one assist) in 11 postseason games. Another is to play it safe, and insert reliable veteran Jonny Brodzinski, even though he has no points in two playoff contests.

Of course, Laviolette could go for a bigger and more emotional move by inserting veteran Blake Wheeler, who has battled to come back from a season-ending leg injury sustained in February. At 6-foot-5, Wheeler would give the Rangers a formidable and physical fourth line against a heavy Panthers team.

“I’m hoping he plays, for him,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said before the series. “He’s a hard-working man. That injury, to come back from it, to be good, he will have done everything he possibly can to get back.”

Regardless of which way Laviolette goes with his lineup, the fact still stands that the Rangers must continue to outwork the Panthers as they did in Game 2 to grab their first series lead.

Here’s today’s game and broadcast info:

New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers (GAME 3)
Date/Time: May 26, 2024 @ 3:00 PM ET
Arena: Amerant Bank Arena
TV: ABC
Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM
Series: 1-1

Note: Subject to change, updated for each game

Related: Matt Rempe makes huge impact for Rangers in Game 2

New York Rangers projected lineup

Here’s the expected lineup:

Kreider – Zibanejad – Chytil
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle– Wennberg – Roslovic
Wheeler – Goodrow – Rempe

Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Trouba
Gustafsson – Schneider

Shesterkin
Quick

Note: Head coach Peter Laviolette will address the media at 12:40 P.M. ET. Check back here for updates.

New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers (Round 3)

Rangers vs Panthers schedule

Rangers leading playoff scorers:

Goals – Kreider (7), Trocheck (7)
Assists – Zibanejad (11)
Points – Trocheck (16)

Rangers playoff goalie stats:

Igor Shesterkin: 9-3, 2.22 GAA, .926 SV%

Notes:

This is the second time the Rangers have played the Panthers in the playoffs. They won the 1997 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal in five games. Wayne Gretzky led the team in scoring with six points (four goals, two assists), including a memorable natural hat trick in the second period of Game 4. New York was 1-2-0 during the regular-season against Florida, but are 6-1-1 in their last eight at home against them.

The Rangers are just the sixth Presidents’ Trophy winner to reach the Conference Final since 2004.

Matt Rempe became the first Rangers’ player to score a goal in his NHL Playoffs debut since defenseman Matt Gilroy scored in Game 1 of the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals against the Capitals.

Including the regular season and playoffs, when the Rangers score four or more goals in a game, they are 40-0-1.

New York tied a franchise record set in 1994 winning seven straight games to open the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In day games (regular season and playoffs), the Rangers are 12-1. New York beat the Washington Capitals in Game 1 (3:00 PM), and the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 (4:00 PM).

Upcoming Milestones

• The next Rangers playoff shutout will be the first since Henrik Lundqvist beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 on 4/12/17 (R1, G1).