Othmann’s status had been in doubt after the 21-year-old forward was knocked out of Hartford’s series-clinching 3-1 win against the Charlotte Checkers on Sunday. New York’s first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft was shaken up after being checked from behind into the boards late in that second period. He didn’t return to the game and was questionable for the opener of this series in Providence.

But Othamnn not only played Wednesday, he assisted on Blake Hillman’s goal that gave Hartford a 2-0 lead just 5:27 into the game. Othmann now has three assists in four AHL playoff games this spring.

HILLY IN THE SLOT pic.twitter.com/E0l3MgwZ7V

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) May 1, 2024

Another key Rangers prospect, forward Brett Berard, also assisted on Hillman’s goal and finished with two helpers on the night. A 2020 fifth-round pick, Berard leads the Wolf Pack with five points (one goal, four assists) in the postseason, including consecutive two-point games.

Related: Wolf Pack – Bruins playoff series preview

Rangers affiliate takes Game 1 of AHL playoff series on road

Tyler Pitlick broke out to lead the way for Hartford in Game 1 on Wednesday. The 32-year-old forward, who has 420 games of NHL experience including 34 with the Rangers this season, had his first three points of the postseason. He finished with a goal at 19:26 of the second period that snapped a 2-2 tie, and two assists.

Anton Blidh bookended the second intermission with a nifty backhand goal at 1:28 of the third period to make it 4-2, scoring the eventual game-winning goal with Providence getting one back with under a minute remaining and its goalie pulled for an extra attacker.

BLIDHER DOWN LOW WITH THE BACKHANDER pic.twitter.com/vbfJbc9CKp

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) May 2, 2024

Another veteran, forward Jake Leschyshyn, scored just 1:01 into the game to give the visitors a quick early lead. Defenseman Matthew Robertson, New York’s second-round pick in 2019, picked up his first career postseason assist on the goal.

Leschyshyn finished with a goal and an assist. Victor Mancini, a fifth round pick by the Rangers in 2022 who recently signed his entry-level contract, earned his first AHL playoff point when the defenseman assisted on Pitlick’s goal.

Goalie Dylan Garand, who was outstanding in helping Hartford rally past Charlotte in a best-of-3 series, made 32 saves Wednesday. Garand is 3-1 with a 1.95 goals-against average and sparkling .945 save percentage in the 2024 postseason.

The Wolf Pack will try and put a stranglehold on this best-of-5 series when they play Game 2 in Providence on Friday.

Recently, forwards Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom were promoted to Broadway. As they appear to be sticking around for a while, veteran Tyler Pitlick was sent down to give the Pack some help. In last week’s action, they collected three out of a possible six points to maintain fourth place in the Atlantic Division.

Hartford’s interim head coach Steve Smith has done an amazing job taking over for Kris Knoblauch, who left to coach the Edmonton Oilers. He’s constantly juggling a lineup of different faces, and at one point last weekend, the Wolf Pack were missing eight out of 14 forwards from their opening night roster.

Coming into this week, they’ll play three games starting on Wednesday against the Charlotte Checkers. Through 49 games, Hartford is 26-17-5-1 for 58 points.

Related: NHL Enforcer John Scott has some advice for Matt Rempe

Hartford Wolf Pack: Tyler Pitlick helping out

Tyler Pitlick Emerges as Reliable Veteran

Placed on waivers by the Rangers in late February, 32-year-old Tyler Pitlick has quickly adjusted to playing with the Wolf Pack in a fast-paced schedule. The veteran impressed last week, securing five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in three games.

Against the Cleveland Monsters, Pitlick sparked helped the team rally for a point in a shootout, when he capitalized on the power play in the second period. The veteran was also credited with the primary assist on Brennan Othmann’s game winning goal against the Bridgeport Islanders.

“Pitlick has been really good so far,” coach Smith said. “He’s had a couple opportunities, but what he’s doing right now is skating, finishing hits, and he’s concerned about his overall game. He’s got to be strong defensively and work along the walls. It was great to see him end up with a goal.”

While Pitlick struggled in New York, the forward is beginning to find his game and is comfortable in his new role. While his future is uncertain, Hartford will be enjoying his presence until moves are executed at NHL Trade Deadline (Mar. 8).

Tyler Pitlick’s first as a member of the Pack 🔥 https://t.co/tKf5iuHF2q pic.twitter.com/SdGi10uV3Z

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) February 23, 2024

Brett Berard Continues Excellent Rookie Season

Sensational forward Brett Berard is playing well with Hartford. Through 49 games, Berard’s recorded 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points. He is ranked second on the active roster for points. The 21-year-old also has five game-winning goals, which is ranked 3rd among rookies in the AHL.

Berard continues to develop nicely, but his name is starting to surface in possible trade rumors as the Rangers look to bolster their roster for the playoffs. If he sticks around for next season, Berard will be competing for a spot in New York. The forward is ready for the NHL and the next big step.

Beebs with a shorthanded breakaway 🥵 pic.twitter.com/58SH3z002D

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) February 23, 2024

Jake Leschyshyn’s Strong Weekend

Another player that has experience with Hartford and New York, is 24-year-old center Jake Leschyshyn. Over the weekend, the forward recorded four points (1 goal, 3 assists) and chipped in a shootout goal.

Through 25 games, Leschyshyn has produced 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points. He is quietly having a good season in Hartford despite a slow start and a lengthy injury in the first half of the year. While his future is cloudy, he is reliable and has value for the Wolf Pack.

Pack News and Notes

Penalty Kill Woes

In their last two games, Hartford has given up five goals on the penalty kill out of seven chances. Despite being perfect on Wednesday (3/3), the club ran into penalty trouble often and was punished for it. The Thunderbirds capitalized on two 5-on-3 opportunities as the club struggled to clear the puck.

Hartford takes way too many penalties, which is the first issue they need to solve in order to improve in this area.

Injury Updates

On Wednesday in the 3rd period, Hartford suffered two additional losses to the forward group:

• Anton Blidh was hurt on a sequence. He is day to day.
• Riley Nash was hurt on a different play. He is also day to day.

As a result, Hartford a forward a through Professional Tryout (PTO). The Wolf Pack requested services from Cameron Hillis. In addition, Sahil Panwar was called up from Cincinnati ECHL. The Wolf Pack also signed a forward (Ethan Keppen) and a defenseman (Chris Cameron) on February 21st through PTOs.

Entering the week, there is encouraging news as Hartford released Cameron Hillis and Chris Cameron from their PTOs. Blidh or Nash will be able to return in Hartford’s next game. In addition, the defenseman released could mean Zach Berzolla is returning from injury. He was skating with the club in a non-contact jersey recently. His last game was on November 25th.

One Timers

• Nikolas Brouillard is on a 3 game point streak (3 assists).
• The Wolf Pack had back to back weeknight games (Wednesday and Thursday). The front office brought in 5,800 fans. Weeknight attendance is up this season as well with crowds around 3,000. Through 6 weeknight games, Hartford drew 17,372 fans with an average of 2,895. Impressive for nights that are considering a struggle for most AHL clubs.
• The Wolf Pack have 23 games remaining on the docket. They have 11 home games and 12 away games.

Hartford Wolf Pack Schedule

Wednesday, February 31st vs Charlotte Checkers (Florida) at 7pm, XL Center

• This is the 2nd of 8 meetings in the season series. Hartford dropped the first game 4-2 on January 31st. The 3rd and 4th meetings will be in Charlotte on March 12th and 13th.
• Entering the week, Charlotte is 25-20-6 for 56 points. That ranks the group 5th in the Atlantic Division and 9th in the Eastern Conference. The Checkers are on a 6 game point streak (4-0-2).
• Defenseman Lucas Carlsson leads the Checkers in points with 39. In 51 games, the defenseman recorded 15 goals and 24 assists. Rookie Mackie Samoskevich is 2nd on the roster for points with 32. In 41 games, the forward collected 13 goals and 19 assists.
• Listen – Mixlr. Watch – AHLTV.

Friday, March 1st vs Laval Rocket (Montreal) at 7pm, XL Center

• This is the 4th and final meeting in the season series. Hartford is 1-2 against the Rocket.
• Entering the week, Laval is 22-22-5-2 for 51 points. That ranks the group 6th in the North Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Rocket are on a 2 game skid and are 4-5-1 in their last 10 outings.
• Forward Brandon Gignac leads the Rocket in points with 42. In 45 games, Gignaic notched 14 goals and 28 assists. He is ranked 19th in the AHL for production. Philippe Maillet is 2nd in points on the roster with 37. in 46 games, the forward collected 13 goals and 24 assists.
• Listen – Mixlr. Watch – AHLTV.

Sunday, March 3rd vs Providence Bruins (Boston) at 3:05pm, Amica Mutual Pavillion

• This is the 8th of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 3-3-1 against Providence. The next meeting will be on March 8th in Hartford. The final meeting will return to Providence on April 21st (last game of the season).
• Entering the week, Providence is 33-15-3-2 for 71 points. That ranks the group 2nd in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. The Bruins are also ranked 3rd in the AHL. Providence is on a 4 game winning streak.
• Forward Georgii Merkulov leads the Bruins in points with 49. In 49 games, Merkulov produced 21 goals and 28 assists. He is ranked 4th in the AHL for points. Fabian Lysell is 2nd in points on the roster with 43. In 49 games, he produced 15 goals and 28 assists. He is ranked 11th in the AHL for points.
• Listen – Mixlr. Watch – AHLTV.

Not surprisingly, Pitlick went unclaimed and the Rangers assigned him to Hartford of the American Hockey League. The 32-year-old forward last played in the AHL in the 2015-16 season when he was a member of the Edmonton Oilers organization. Pitlick’s demotion follows the Rangers terminating Nick Bonino’s contract to make room for Jonny Brodzinski.

Coach Peter Laviolette said this was simply a “hockey decision.” He added that the Rangers want to see what they have in Edstrom, the 6-foot-7 rookie, who was recalled from Hartford to take Pitlick’s place on the fourth line against the Calgary Flames on Monday.

“He’s a big, young, fast, strong player that we feel deserves a look and some games,” Laviolette explained after practice Wednesday. “So, that’s where the decision was made.”

Edstrom was credited with three hits in 9:23 of ice time, skating 15 shifts with Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow in the 2-0 win against the Flames. It was his second NHL game this season after the 23-year-old scored a goal in his NHL debut on Dec. 15 against the Anaheim Ducks.

Related: Why ‘people hate’ Rangers’ Adam Fox: report

Adam Edstrom swaps spots with Tyler Pitlick for Rangers

Laviolette contended that Edstrom deserved this opportunity, likely more than Pitlick deserved the demotion.

“Just the season that he’s had, the training camp he had, the way he came in, the way he impressed us up here,” Laviolette explained. “We’re excited to get him going.”

Playing his first pro season in North America after being selected in the sixth round of the 2019 draft out of Sweden, Edstrom has eight goals and 10 points in 25 AHL games. He missed some time with an upper-body injury and only returned to action last week. So, Laviolette said the Rangers still need to get the rookie “up to speed.”

There’ll be no shortage of veteran bottom-six forwards available ahead of the trade deadline, leaving Edstrom a short runway to prove he can hold down a regular job in the NHL.

“Every time you get called up, it’s an opportunity,” Edstrom told the New York Post after his most recent recall. “I’m here to capitalize on that opportunity.”

A trade for a third-line center like Adam Henrique could snuff out that opportunity for Edstrom, too. Such a move would likely force a move of Brodzinski to the fourth line, despite his successful run with Kaapo Kakko and Will Cuylle on the third line.

In that scenario, Edstrom could be the odd man out. 

For now.

Because it appears that Edstrom is carving out a future with the New York Rangers.

After just his second game of the season, Edstrom has shown once again that he fits in nicely on the fourth line. After scoring in his NHL debut against the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 12th, Edstrom got another crack against the Calgary Flames and made the most of it.

While he may not have found the score sheet, he was on the ice for some key moments in the game and made a serious case to remain with the big club.

Pitlick (NYR) on waivers

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 13, 2024

Latest: NHL Exec says people hate Adam Fox

Adam Edstrom earns roster spot

Edstrom was called up prior to the game against Calgary along with Matt Rempe, who has already been sent back down to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Following his performance against the Flames, head coach Peter Laviolette had nothing but positives to say about the 23-year-old forward.

“I thought he was good,” Laviolette explained. “He’s a big guy that just skates so well. His stick is big, and even in practice yesterday you can just see him moving up and down the ice. He skates with ease.”

Edstrom is a valuable forward that can have a positive impact if he remains in the Rangers lineup for the rest of the year. He is a big-bodied player, strong defensively, can kill penalties, and, as seen in his debut, can score from time to time.

“I like his physicality, I like his awareness,” said Laviolette. “He was a player that played good defense (with Hartford), he killed penalties. Eventually, we’ll start to work him into different scenarios.”

Those words from Laviolette indicated he had plans for Edstrom to stick around on New York’s fourth line as he has impressed in his two appearances this season.

Despite dealing with injuries, Edstrom has played well with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL. In 25 games played, he recorded 10 points (8G-2A), and has a plus/minus of 2. Over the course of two NHL games, he quickly earned the trust of Peter Laviolette, and was given ice time in the final ten minutes of a 1-0 game against a good Calgary team.

“There wasn’t anything in the game that made me feel like he couldn’t play in the last five or six minutes of the game,” Laviolette mentioned. “I thought he did a good job.”

A fresh face in the bottom-six is exactly what the Rangers have been looking for. With Tyler Pitlick being the odd man out, New York could run with Cuylle-Brodzinski-Kakko and Vesey-Edstrom-Goodrow to round out their lineup as they gear up for a playoff push.

Also noteworthy is that Edstrom was able to provide a great performance while still returning to form after being sidelined for nearly two months. This detail certainly did not fly under Laviolette’s radar.

“You have to remember that he was off for a long time,” said Laviolette. “You take a month and a half off and then play one game in the minors, and then come up here, and you’re playing against a team that’s playing really well right now. It’s not an easy game to get into. I thought he played a pretty smart game, a pretty good game.”

Quite the praise from the Rangers bench boss for Edstrom, who logged 9:23 of ice time in the 2-0 win. It’s possible that there is even more to Edstrom’s game that is yet to be seen. As he returns to form following injury, and gets used to playing at the NHL level, Edstrom could become a key component to New York’s line-up down the stretch.

At the halfway mark of the 2023-24 season, it is safe to say that not all these free-agent signings have worked out in favor of the Rangers, but since every contract is valued at less than $1 million, the deals are not hurting the team financially. Now that New York has surpassed the halfway point of their season let’s check in on how each signee has performed on Broadway.

Related: Rangers must immediately fix this issue

Rangers offseason signings updates

Tyler Pitlick

2023-24 Statistics: 28 GP, one goal, two assists, three points, minus-one

Tyler Pitlick came to New York on July 1, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $787k after spending last season with the St. Louis Blues, where he registered 16 points in 61 games. Thus far, he’s only skated in 28 games, accounting for 63% of the Rangers first-half schedule, collecting three points with one goal.

As a bottom-six forward, Pitlick averages 10:10 a night when he does play, with a season-high 14:49 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 19. He wouldn’t fetch a good return in a trade and most likely won’t be back next season because the Rangers could promote a prospect to fill his spot.

Nick Bonino

2023-24 Statistics: 43 GP, one goal, four assists, five points, minus-10

Nick Bonino also came to the Rangers on July 1 on a one-year deal worth $800k. General manager Chris Drury brought in the 35-year-old because he’s a veteran of 865 games with two Stanley Cup rings.

After 42 games, Bonino has one goal and five points and is tied with Alexis Lafreniere for the team’s worst plus/minus rating at minus-10 while averaging 12:17 a night. He’s on pace to skate in more than 62 games as he did last year but could finish with his lowest point in over a decade.

Blake Wheeler

2023-24 Statistics: 44 GP, seven goals, 10 assists, 17 points, minus-three

Blake Wheeler signed in New York on July 1, trying to continue his NHL career at 37 after being bought out by the Winnipeg Jets. Many Rangers’ fans felt his best days were behind him and that he wouldn’t be a significant contributor despite making $800k.

Frequently, Wheeler is nonexistent on the ice, even though he’s had chances to skate in the top six, only playing over 14 minutes in nine contests this year. After 44 games, he’s netted 17 points, the eighth-best total on the team, but he also has the sixth-worst plus/minus rating at minus-three.

Erik Gustafsson

2023-24 Statistics: 44 GP, four goals, 17 assists, 21 points, even

The Rangers got lucky on July 1 when they signed Erik Gustafsson to a one-year deal valued at $825k. Although he’d never win a Norris Trophy, he is a highly skilled offensive defenseman who is New York’s seventh-leading scorer with 21 points, eight of them coming on the powerplay.

Gustafsson may be a bottom-pairing defender, but he does skate over 17 minutes a night and is on pace to surpass his points and games played total from last season. Considering that Zac Jones hasn’t earned a regular spot in the rotation yet, keeping Gustafsson for another year wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Jonathan Quick

2023-24 Statistics: 15 GP, 9-3-2, 2.49 GAA .912 SV%

Jonathan Quick won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in June and signed with the Rangers on the first day of free agency to back up Igor Shesterkin for $825k. At 37, many wondered if he had anything left in the tank, especially playing for his favorite childhood team.

There’s no doubt that Shesterkin is the number one goalie in New York, but he has struggled at points, with Quick bailing out the team with an impressive 9-3-2 record with a 2.49 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 15 starts. Although he’s not a long-term option in the backup role, no one can argue that he’s become one of the free-agent goalie signings in years.

Stats via Hockey-Reference

Pitlick was among the many handful of low-cost signings Chris Drury was able to pull off due to cap constraints. A one-year deal with an AAV of only $787,500 has already paid off nicely for the third-year GM.

Initially sidelined for the early part of the season, Pitlick’s journey from the bench to becoming a fixture on the Rangers’ fourth line is a testament to his resilience and skill.

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Tyler Pitlick a valuable addition

Pitlick’s season began with uncertainty, as he found himself out of the regular lineup. However, the Rangers got hit with the injury bug early on, creating an opportunity for the 32-year-old journeyman. Pitlick’s determination and work ethic saw him gradually earn a spot on the fourth line alongside Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow. This line combination has since proven effective for the Rangers, offering a blend of defensive solidity and offensive capability.

“Consistency helps,” Pitlick said when discussing how his line has played. “Just the consistency with the same guys and you kind of get a feel for it and build on it each night.”

While primarily known for his defensive prowess, Pitlick has also made notable contributions to the Rangers’ offense. With three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and a +1 rating through 16 games, he has demonstrated his ability to impact the game at both ends of the ice. This dual-threat capability makes him a valuable player in high-stakes situations, especially during close games where defensive reliability is as crucial as offensive creativity.

The Challenge Ahead: Balancing the Lineup

The imminent return of Filip Chytil from injury poses a strategic challenge for head coach Peter Laviolette. Chytil’s offensive talents are undeniable, but incorporating him back into the lineup will require careful consideration, particularly with Pitlick’s recent performances and the chemistry he has built with his linemates.

Laviolette must weigh the benefits of Pitlick’s defensive reliability and newfound offensive contributions against other potential scratch candidates, such as newly called up forward, Jonny Brodzinski, who is now providing offense in a top-six role with Kaapo Kakko on LTIR.

While the return of Chytil will undoubtedly enhance the Rangers’ offensive firepower, Pitlick’s all-around game makes a compelling case for his retention in the lineup. That’s why the decision to scratch him may be a tough one once everyone is back and healthy.

Pitlick’s blend of defensive responsibility and opportunistic offense provides the Rangers with a balanced and versatile weapon, essential for their aspirations in a highly competitive league. As the season progresses, his role in the team’s success will be crucial in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.

Regardless, if he holds a steady place on the fourth line or not, Pitlick has already proven his value as the extra forward for this season.

It was a game once again filled with Rangers’ resiliency as they had to overcome some questionable officiating. On the Devils’ first goal, Jack Hughes’ shot slowly squeaked through Shesterkin’s legs and rolled towards the net. However, the ref blew the whistle after losing sight of the puck before it crossed the line. A video review would disregard the whistle and allow the goal.

What?

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if Will Cuylle’s goal, which was clearly over the line against the Columbus Blue Jackets was allowed to stand. In that instance, the whistle came well after the puck was in. Of course, video review from the NHL Situation Room based in Toronto disallowed it saying the puck was frozen.

What???

Bad officiating aside, let’s look back and highlight key takeaways from the Rangers latest win.

Related: Early Rangers trade deadline targets

Rangers Recall: Hot Bread and Fourth Line Grit

Artemi Panarin

On a night where the Rangers extended their team point streak to 11 games (10-0-1), Artemi Panarin scored 2 big goals to extend his personal season-opening point streak to 15 (10 goals, 16 assists).

After a disappointing playoffs, Panarin is off to the best start of his career. By scoring against the Devils, he now holds the franchise mark for the longest point streak to start a season and will look to continue it when the team takes on the Stars in Dallas tomorrow.

“I don’t like to say too much,” Panarin told the NY Post. “For a beginning of season, yes, I think I have a good month. But it is a long year. What I will say is if I play like this the whole year, it’s probably going to be a pretty good one.”

The 31 year-old Panarin currently ranks third in the NHL for scoring, sitting just 2 points behind three players tied for first with 28 points (Quinn Hughes, J.T. Miller, and Elias Pettersson) all who have played three more games.

Fourth Line

One of the more encouraging signs of the evening was the play of the fourth line centered by Barclay Goodrow, flanked by Jimmy Vesey and Tyler Pitlick.

On this night, when Mika Zibanejad’s line was more focused on stopping Jack Hughes’ line, it was the three grinders that came up big with Vesey potting a gorgeous game-winning goal to complete the comeback with just 2:49 left to play.

“We had some strong moments,” Vesey said of his line. “First period was big for us tonight and we got rewarded. Coach had some faith in us late going against their top line.”

Vesey scored twice, Pitlick added an assist, and although Goodrow didn’t score he was instrumental to their forecheck. Each member of the fourth-line finished with a +2 rating. With Filip Chytil still out with an upper-body injury, the Rangers need to get scoring from their bottom six to stay on top of the Metro Division.

What is going on with these reviews?

Almost every fanbase believes that NHL officiating is not very good or the league is out to get them. To be clear, I don’t believe that’s the case with the Rangers. However, with the way the last two games have gone, it’s certainly hard not to question what has been some seriously puzzling video reviews.

I highlighted the similarity between Cuylle’s goal versus the Blue Jackets last Sunday and Hughes’ last night. The key difference being when the ref blew the whistle, and yet in each instance the call went against the Rangers.

If that wasn’t troubling enough, Ryan Lindgren was the recipient of another vicious high hit to the head. Against Columbus, Sean Kuraly hit him with an elbow, and last night Michael McLeod came in a little late and high with his shoulder. Both times, the call was a 5-minute major, but after a video review the plays were deemed clean.

Again– What?!!!

While these types of calls seem to be happening more frequently against the Rangers lately, other teams are dealing with similarly confusing decisions.

The NHL needs to look into this process and see if they can improve it. And by the way, let’s not even get into the ridiculousness of what is or isn’t a “distinct kicking motion.”

Here are the grades for each of the offseason acquisitions through 12 games

Related: How the 2023-24 Rangers were built

Blake Wheeler: C+

It has been a slow start, to say the least, for Blake Wheeler. The 37-year-old forward has just one assist in 12 appearances and has a plus/minus rating of -4. For the first 11 games, he was receiving third line minutes. In New York’s recent game against Detroit, he was given the opportunity to play on the first line alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider in an attempt to generate 5-on-5 scoring. Even still, he was not very noticeable and could not find the score sheet.

However, Wheeler believes his game is coming on. “The first six games I was not myself,” the veteran forward explained. “I think in the last week I’ve started to feel good again. I feel like myself again. Despite his slow start, Wheeler has remained optimistic. He brings a great presence to the Rangers’ locker room with extensive experience. What bumps his grade is the fact that Drury was able to sign him at an incredibly low AAV of only $800k. It is only a matter of time before he finally gets on the board.

Tyler Pitlick: C

While he has not had much opportunity this season, Tyler Pitlick was brought in to bolster the depth of the lineup and contribute in a bottom six role. Through four games he has one assist with a plus/minus of 0. He has registered three blocked shots and six hits.

While Filip Chytil remains out with injury, expect Pitlick to get some more games on the Rangers fourth line. While he has not been necessarily bad to start the year, the 32-year-old forward would certainly like to contribute more in his role.

Erik Gustafsson: A+

This may be one of Drury’s best moves of the offseason. Gustafsson comes in with a very friendly contract with an AAV of $825k. Through 12 games, he has been rock solid on defense, and has put up surprising numbers offensively. Gustafsson put up 3 goals and 5 assists along with a plus/minus of +5. He also has 13 blocked shots on the season.

Being familiar with head coach Peter Laviolette and his systems has certainly helped the 31-year-old defenseman. With Adam Fox being out of the lineup for at least a month, Gustafsson has stepped up big time. “(Gustafsson) is an experienced defenseman,” Laviolette mentioned. “He can skate, he can defend, he can make good plays coming out of our end.” Gustafsson has also stepped up on the power play with the absence of Fox. A very good move by Chris Drury.

Nick Bonino: B

Nick Bonino has been a great acquisition for the Rangers. Although he has not registered a point through 12 games, he was not brought in to score. The value that he brings in all other aspects of the game has been very noticeable. He is 5th in the NHL in blocked shots with 36, and 12th in face-off percentage (minimum 100 face-offs) at 57.9%. These are both aspects that needed drastic improvement from last season.

With a contract of $800k, Bonino has certainly been worth it for the Rangers. He has also been a huge factor on the Blueshirts penalty kill, which ranks 9th in the NHL at 86.1%. Great teams are often defined by their depth players and special teams. Bonino has come in and provided just that for the Rangers.

Jonathan Quick: A

After a concerning preseason, Jonathan Quick has come in and played very well for the Rangers. With Igor Shesterkin missing time due to injury, Quick has stepped up and been solid in the cage. In four starts and one relief appearance, he is 3-0-1, holds a save percentage of .936, and a GAA of 1.77 along with one shutout. Sparkling numbers for the 37-year-old netminder.

“I think he’s been terrific,” Laviolette explained. “He’s had a long career of being terrific. It was nice to get him the start that we did. He came on and played a couple of really good games. I thought he was instrumental in taking a point out of Minnesota. That’s the most action he’s seen in a game and I thought last night (against Detroit) he was really good as well.”

At $825k, this is yet another great signing from Drury, who has done an incredible job over the course of the offseason.

Bonus – Peter Laviolette: A+

Despite a great regular season record, it was clear after the last two playoff series exits that the Rangers needed to move on from Gerard Gallant. A change of culture was needed inside the locker room, and Peter Laviolette has instilled that exact change. With a focus on team defense, structured systems, and work ethic, Laviolette has been the perfect fit for the Rangers to start the season and has been a great hire by Chris Drury. With a 9-2-1 record, Laviolette has gotten this Rangers team to perform at the highest level, even in lieu of injuries to key players.

Overall, it was a very productive offseason for the Rangers. From coaches to players, the moves have paid off big time, as they head further into the month of November.

Heading into Saturday’s matchup in Columbus against the Blue Jackets, coach Peter Laviolette would not confirm if there would be any lineup changes.

So, what do each of these players bring to the fourth line, and how do they compare?

Related: Rangers dominate season opener

Jimmy Vesey’s Offensive Upside

Vesey’s presence on the fourth line brings a combination of talent and toughness. His time at Harvard, when he won the Hobey Baker Award, previously demonstrated his scoring prowess. He has shown mobility, excellent sense for open ice and ability to expose defenses at times in the NHL. As a member of the Blueshirts’ fourth line last year, Vesey registered 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points, earning himself a two-year contract.

More time and opportunities in the attacking zone may result from pairing him alongside Goodrow, who can play on the wing and center, and Bonino, two players who are skilled at forechecking and causing turnovers. Vesey’s ability to exploit defensive weaknesses and get to loose pucks could provide the offensive boost the fourth line needs.

Despite everything that he can bring to the lineup, Vesey was scratched in favor of Pitlick against the Sabres, which was a difficult decision for head coach Peter Laviolette.

“That decision was not an easy decision,” Laviolette said. I’m sure I’ll have to make a bunch of decisions this year, but that one was not easy because I think that Jimmy Vesey had a good camp. I thought it got better as it went on and he was effective inside the games.”

Tyler Pitlick’s Skillset

Pitlick has his own set of strengths, even though he may not be as offensively talented as Vesey. He is a tough, gritty player who is renowned for his physicality, unwavering work ethic, and ability to disrupt plays. Pitlick is the kind of player that can wear down the opposition by making it challenging for them each time they approach the zone. This grinding approach is quite useful, particularly in close games where causing turmoil can result in high danger scoring chances.

The Versatility Factor

The versatility that Vesey and Pitlick offer to the Rangers makes having them both in the lineup appealing. Laviolette has the option of relying on Vesey when offense is required and using Pitlick when the team has to suffocate the opposition or keep a lead depending on the game situation. Both players are also valuable on the penalty kill. When a game or playoff series is on the line, this level of strategic depth can be the difference between being eliminated early or winning a Stanley Cup.

Peter Laviolette’s Fourth Line Philosophy

Throughout his coaching tenure, Laviolette has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to rotating all four lines. He anticipates his fourth line to make a difference rather than merely take up game time. It’s about energy, shifting momentum and adding offense to the score sheet. Laviolette is aware of how crucial depth is in today’s game. He can create a fourth line that not only threatens but also neutralizes by having players like Vesey and Pitlick at his disposal, transforming a conventional “depth line” into an offensive weapon.

Vesey said he’s focusing on the big picture and what is best for the team to succeed this season.

“We’re all here because we want to win the Stanley Cup, and to do that it takes a lot of guys,” Vesey told the NY Post. “Everyone’s going to be called upon this year to go in and play and contribute, and I’m no different. Everyone wants to be in the lineup and I’m just going to keep working hard in practice. When I get in the lineup, I’ll be ready.”

Vesey and Pitlick contribute key qualities to the Rangers’ fourth line, while Vesey might have a more immediate offensive upside. No matter which winger plays on a particular night, and each will get his chance, expect the fourth line to be more than just an afterthought under Laviolette.

Coming into training camp this preseason, the Rangers invited 32 forwards to battle for 13 roster positions — the 12 who’ll make up the four offensive lines, plus one extra forward. Least desirable is the 13th spot on offense, as no player wants to be the likely healthy scratch almost every game. But the hope for players even in the 13th forward competition is to be in line for an opportunity to present itself to show what they can do.

Now that the training camp’s roster is down to 25, one of the few open questions is centered on what’s best for Cuylle and Othmann this season. The thought process being, if Cuylle or Othmann make the lineup, they’ll be an everyday player. Otherwise, they’d benefit more from playing regularly with the AHL Wolf Pack; and not just being a bench warmer or alternate.

However, for Brodzinski and Pitlick, the considerations are a little different. Both are established veterans that are suited for fourth-line or limited duties. What remains to be seen is which player will make it as the extra forward to start the season.

Related: Heated battle for 13th forward spot

Jonny Brodzinski’s time in pro hockey

Drafted 148th overall by the LA Kings in 2013, Brodzinski’s been with the Rangers organization since the 2020-2021 season and has spent most of that time with the AHL Wolf Pack serving as their captain.

Brodzinski is 30 years old and has played in a total of 44 games for the Rangers over the last three seasons. Prior to arriving in New York, the forward played 57 games split between the LA Kings and the San Jose Sharks.

For his NHL career, the AHL captain has a total of nine goals and eight assists, and an overall +/- of 10. Brodzinski has spent a number of games over his professional career as a healthy scratch at the NHL level, and in the current training camp he’s clearly been making a push to make the Blueshirts’ roster — ideally as a regular forward and not as a bench player.

Notable about the 30-year-old is he has 160 career shots on goal while averaging just 10:01 minutes ice time, so he’s an aggressive player who’s not afraid to aim for the net even if his shooting percentage is only 5.6%. The Hartford captain has also accumulated 92 hits during his NHL time, adding to the impression he’s an assertive presence on the ice.

Head coach Peter Laviolette seems to have taken notice of Brodzinski’s play style during training camp and had this to say after the home preseason game against the NJ Devils, prior to the away game versus the NY Islanders:

“Really good impressions. I thought he and his line the other night were excellent,” Laviolette praised. “It’s his speed, his tenacity… That’s the fourth look for him. Those are earned, too. They’re not just given, they’re earned and I think he’s played really well.”

Brodzinski is earning the league minimum salary this season on a two-way, two-year contract, and unless re-signs, becomes a UFA at the end of the season.

Tyler Pitlick’s pro hockey career

Tyler Pitlick, 31, was selected 31st overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 draft and has played nine seasons with the Oilers, the Dallas Stars, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Arizona Coyotes, the Calgary Flames, the Montreal Canadiens, and the St. Louis Blues. Throughout all these stints were a couple of PTOs and trades; yet overall the Minneapolis native has played a total of 386 games in the NHL.

Pitlick’s accumulated a total of 105 points over his playing career, is pretty evenly split between 55 goals and 50 assists. His overall shooting percentage is 10.8%, not surprising for a player who’s bounced around as much as he has. The veteran player’s pattern has been pretty representative of most NHL forwards: the more he plays, the better his performance. Pitlick’s most productive years were those with Dallas, Philadelphia, and St. Louis, in which he played the highest total of games for his career.

During those years, Pitlick amassed a total of 37 even strength goals, or 67% of his career goal total. Notable is that Pitlick has but one power play goal and one power play assist — as well as but one shorthanded goal and one shorthanded assist — over the past nine years, indicating he hasn’t been viewed as a regular special teams player, but rather as more productive at full strength. The nine-year veteran has been noted, however, by multiple sources for his strong forecheck, which may cement a role for him on the Blueshirts this season.

Last season with the Blues was one of the forward’s most productive, and he told The New York Post on Monday, “I think I got back to myself in St. Louis. I had a bit of a down year the year before, but kind of got back to playing my game and consistently bringing something for the team every night. Just playing hard on the forecheck.”

Pitlick has earned some special praise from Laviolette, as well:

“I’ve been really impressed with Tyler’s game, just from a work-ethic standpoint,” Laviolette remarked. “He skates well. He’s big, he’s strong, and can play physical… Another good pickup and signing by Chris (Drury).”

The battle for the few remaining spots on the Rangers’ roster continues. This week’s exhibition games in which they once again face both the NJ Devils and the Boston Bruins should be very telling.