Get ready Blueshirts fans, actual Rangers hockey will be played this week!!!!! Ok, it’s only the prospects participating in the annual Traverse City Tournament, but heck, I’ll take it. Unfortunately, there’s a dark cloud casting a shadow over my excitement. And it’s a sad truth every Rangers fan must eventually acknowledge. Let’s get into this week’s 20 Thoughts to find out what it is:
1. As I mentioned, the Traverse City Prospect tournament begins on Friday, so let’s take a look at this year’s roster:
2. Looks like we’ve got all the top prospects including Andersson, Day, Gropp, Kovacs and the guy I’m looking forward to watching the most Filip Chyt…wait what?!?!?!
https://twitter.com/aj_ranger/status/903560698399162368
Thankfully, upon further review…
Update on Chytil: Groin strain, not serious. Not expected to play at Traverse City but may take part in NYR camp.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) September 5, 2017
Sucks that we won’t get to see Chytil at Traverse, but he might have been lost for most, if not all, of the season if he was dealing with a torn muscle. Sounds like the 21st overall pick dodged a serious bullet.
3. In Chytil’s place, it looks like the Rangers have invited one of his teammates from Zlin, Nicolas Werbik, to participate at Traverse and in camp (via Zlin official website)…
“It’s a big surprise for me. My goal was to play a good season overseas, and after the season to go to NHL Camping. I’m glad I got the opportunity right now,” says the 19-year-old Nicolas Werbik.
“It took me until I realized it all. First, the agent wrote me that the Rangers asked me and wanted some information. I did not expect anything from that. The next day I called for an invitation. And during my phone call, my cell phone rang. I quickly looked and saw an email from Rangers, “
How do you say Wally Pipp in Czech?
4. Despite the Chytil injury disappointment, there is plenty to look forward to at Traverse City, including Ty Ronning, who did this over the weekend…
With a hat trick in @WHLGiants 5-4 OT win over @TCAmericans, Ty Ronning will go to @NYRangers camp next week with extra jolt of confidence.
— Steve Ewen (@SteveEwen) September 3, 2017
The 5′ 6″ Ronning may be undersized, but he proved in his short (no pun intended) stint with Hartford last year (2g, 3a in 12 games) he can hang with the big boys. Plus, he’s got NHL pedigree…
Nice goal Cliff! By the way, how’d that series work out for you and the Canucks?
5. Another Traverse City participant who’s been making a name for himself this offseason is Tim Gettinger, who forced his way into the next round of the USA Junior Team’s cuts with an impressive showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase, and now this…
#NYR prospect Tim Gettinger is serving as Sault Ste. Marie's captain in the Greyhounds' preseason game tonight against Saginaw.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) September 3, 2017
Size (6′ 6″), skill and leadership qualities?
6. One prospect looking to make an impact at Traverse and beyond is #7 overall pick Lias Andersson, who says his goal is to make the team, but if he doesn’t, the AHL, not a return to Sweden, could be in his future (via GP.com)…
“It’s up to me to decide what’s going on there. So, let’s see …”
In the event Andersson is cut during training camp, I’d have to assume he ends up going to the Wolf Pack. He’s not getting recalled from Frolunda, but he would from Hartford.
7. A youngster who we won’t see at the tournament but continues to climb my man crush ladder is Dominik Lakatoš (6th – 2017), who has provided goals, snarl and now playmaking ability this early season…
https://twitter.com/aj_ranger/status/903330339476688897
8. And finally, two guys who, similar to Andersson, will be looking to impress this weekend as well as in camp are young defensemen Neal Pionk and Vince Pedrie, who had this to say about skating with Rangers players for the first time during informal practice (via NYRangers.com)…
“It was very cool. It was pretty surreal,” Pionk told NYRangers.com. “It’s something that you kind of dream of as a kid and now you’re out there playing hockey with them. It’s pretty cool. Once we stepped on the ice we were all just playing hockey, so my nerves settled a bit.”
“Any time you get to step on the ice with those guys, you’re just trying to be a sponge and soak up as much knowledge as you can, whether it’s just watching their reps or asking them questions about what you can do,” Pedrie said. “It’s obviously a really cool feeling to watch those guys.”
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYh6RdMum6A&w=560&h=315&start=10&end=13]9. Speaking of Brad Richards…
OFFICIAL: #NYR have named Brian Leetch and Brad Richards Hockey Operations Advisors. pic.twitter.com/2kkxHek8ov
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 5, 2017
They spelled “Power Play Coach” incorrectly for Leetch’s new title.
10. That’s not the only thing new to start the week in Rangerstown…
#NYR Jesper Fast will wear #️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ for the Blueshirts! pic.twitter.com/dkaA0amLMK
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 5, 2017
Hey Dubinsky, how do you feel about Fast wearing your old number?
BTW, Fast felt good after practicing with the team for the first time since offseason hip surgery that’ll keep him out until November (via NYRangers.com)…
“This was the first time I was practicing with the team, doing some passing drills. It felt better than I thought it would. We’ll see. We’ll take it slow, take it step-by-step, and we’ll see what happens.”
11. Meanwhile Lundqvist showed off another new mask…
Discussed his new pads…
Full 🎥: Catching up with @HLundqvist30 talking about his summer, new pads, excitement for the #NYR season and more! https://t.co/DLwaEsdAJX
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) August 31, 2017
As well as the new look Rangers…
"I think the core is really good…that excites me." @HLundqvist30 talks about #NYR changes in the offseason and looking forward to camp. https://t.co/EZBBEuD2Jp
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) August 31, 2017
12. The Blueshirts also have new practice jerseys…
13. And a new red line…
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEcvBODOhys&w=560&h=315&start=104]14. Not all the changes are happening on the ice…
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_eHtTGOVSA&w=560&h=315&start=30]#NYR @bssmith7 got married and re-signed with the Rangers this summer. Can you guess the highlight? Here's a hint. https://t.co/RUfae9sB34 pic.twitter.com/AXTM96etAF
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 1, 2017
15. Zoolander 3: The Rise of Duguay
Ron Duguay and Eddie Mio, NY Rangers fashion show, 1982. pic.twitter.com/TOKOuvuTR2
— Sherry Ross (@SherryDarlingNJ) August 31, 2017
16. Speaking of ex-Rangers, Colton Orr continues to keep the role of the enforcer alive…
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/902938784928497664
Still one of the great knockouts of all time…
17.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYhV9n6A3ll/
18. With the Rangers losing Derek Stepan and Oscar Lindberg this offseason, Kevin Hayes recognizes this is his chance to shine (via NHL.com)…
“It’s time to prove that I’m capable of being that guy,” Hayes said. “You don’t want to be in the same spot your whole career. I have a really good opportunity and I need to grab that and show the coaches and Rangers fans that I belong there.”
I’m going to be honest, I’m not 100% convinced Hayes is ready to become a #2 center in this league, but he’s going to have to or it’ll be a long season for the Blueshirts who are paper thin up the middle.
19. Which is why I’m sadly in agreement with Kevin Allen of USA Today who feels the Rangers are one of five playoff teams from a year ago who might be on the outside looking in at the end of the 2017-18 regular season…
“Center Derek Stepan was dealt. Is Mika Zibanejad ready to be a No. 1 center? Will defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk be a dominant performer? Can Kevin Hayes step up? Will Jimmy Vesey take another step in his development? Will Pavel Buchnevich have a breakthrough season?”
That’s a lot of question marks my friends. Earlier this offseason I was crucified on Twitter for calling the Rangers, as currently constructed, a bubble team. I’m not sure how any fan can look at the Blueshirts current quandary at center and truly believe they’re a lock for the playoffs. Now that doesn’t mean the situation is hopeless, but when you need everything to break just right merely to put yourself in position to make the postseason, that doesn’t breed a lot of confidence.
20. But hey, maybe Rangers GM Jeff Gorton has something cooking…
Danis Zaripov camp still in listening mode. Has two offers. #tblightning not one of them at this point.
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) September 5, 2017
Obviously, there’s no way of knowing if the Rangers are one of the two offers, but they’ve been connected to the 35-year old suspended KHL forward for the last few weeks, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they’ve submitted a bid.
BTW, got to love when Rangers fans are hoping Zaripov is the final piece of the puzzle, meanwhile the guy can barely leap frog up stadium stairs.
NHL free agent Danis Zaripov works hard as we weigh in options pic.twitter.com/0NSNMFJ64p
— Dan Milstein (@HockeyAgent1) September 1, 2017
Not sure what kind of performance enhancing drugs Zarpov tested positive for, but I would have thought they could at least help him outperform my 5-year old son at the frog jump. Goodness gracious we’re screwed.
Remember to follow me on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or e-mail me at [email protected].
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!