New York Rangers Blueshirt Beat, 6/26/17: Qualifying Offers, Prospects and Scrimmages
Dec 8, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers Nicklas Jensen (39) and center J.T. Miller (10) and defenseman Nick Holden (22) celebrate a goal by right wing Kevin Hayes (13) (not pictured) during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Rangers win 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers began the process of extending qualifying offers to some of their eligible players.

The New York Rangers made a qualifying offer to Nicklas Jensen, but not Brandon Pirri, Adam Clendening or Mackenzie Skapski.

Jensen had his best season last year, is only 24 years of age and has a legitimate chance to compete for a third or fourth line spot.

Pirri, Clendening and Skapski will become unrestricted free agents.

It did not come as a surprise that Clendening did not receive a qualifying offer. Head coach Alain Vigneault only used him in 31 games last season with a struggling Kevin Klein.

General Manager Jeff Gorton has previously said that he is negotiating with the agents of Mika Zibanejad and Jesper Fast with hopes to get them both to agree on a contract.

Rangers Prospect Camp Begins

The Rangers announced that they will hold their annual prospect camp beginning today, June 26 through Friday, June 30.  All seven of this year’s draft picks — Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, Brandon Crawley, Calle Sjalin, Dominik Latkatos, Morgan Barron and Patrik Virta — will attend the camp.

Of the 38 players selected to attend the camp, some notable players are Sean Day, Ryan Gropp, Ty Ronning and Tyler Wall. The players will have scrimmages on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The Rangers are also preparing for the start of free agency, which begins on July 1.  As previously reported, the Rangers will probably make an offer to Kevin Shattenkirk and re-sign Brendan Smith.

New York will also have to come up with a plan to replace the players that were traded or bought out over the last month.

Although the team has over $20 million available in salary cap, they have lost players at goalie, two center positions and a defenseman.

Other Rangers News

  • Steve Zipay of Newsday broke down the five defensemen to watch at the prospect camp.
  • ESNY’s very own Derek Radich discussed the Rangers’ big trade with Arizona.
A graduate of St. John's University class of '91. I have been a fan of the New York Rangers since the days of Peter Puck. Founder of Ranger Proud, the Facebook page that covers all news, notes, pre /post-game stats, and player quotes. I can be reached at [email protected]