Now that the New York Rangers have cut the roster down to just 34 players, we turn our attention to guys like bruiser Tanner Glass.
By Nick Adams
Down from it’s original 62, the New York Rangers training camp roster now numbers 34 names. Since yesterday afternoon, an additional nine players have been released or assigned (camp cuts listed below). Rangers Head Coach Alain Vigneault’s stated intent is to have the roster at an even 30 by Sunday.Three preseason matchups remain:
Sat 9/26 @NJD; Mon 9/28 vPHI; Wed 9/30 vBOS
Here is your current #NYRTC roster:
Forwards (19): Luke Adam, Ryan Bourque, Derick Brassard, Emerson Etem, Jesper Fast, Brian Gibbons, Tanner Glass, Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, Oscar Lindberg, Matt Lindblad, Jayson Megna, J.T. Miller, Dominic Moore, Rick Nash, Viktor Stalberg, Derek Stepan, Jarret Stoll, Mats Zuccarello
Defensemen (12): Mat Bodie, Dan Boyle, Raphael Diaz, Dan Girardi, Ryan Graves, Kevin Klein, Ryan McDonagh, Dylan McIlrath, Brady Skjei, Marc Staal, Chris Summers, Keith Yandle
Goaltenders (3): Magnus Hellberg, Henrik Lundqvist, Antti Raanta
Here are your cuts:
Prior to last evening’s 4-3 SO loss in Boston, four players were either assigned or released. This morning, five more names were dropped. The following players have been assigned to Rangers AHL affiliate Hartford Wolfpack:
Forwards (3): Martin Hrivik, Richard Nejezchleb, Travis Oleksuk
Defensemen (3): Brett Bellemore, Tommy Hughes, Adam Tambellini
Goalie: Jeff Malcolm
Two players were released from their player tryout (PTO) contracts: former New York Islanders prospect Kirill Kabanov (F) and Jayden Hart (F).
What to do with Glass?
Tanner Glass is still up and AV’s quandary with forwards continues, most notably because he is going to have to decide what to do with Tanner Glass. Vigneault values speed and versatility within his matrix of forwards. Glass is neither fast, nor is he particularly versatile. More offensively skilled players like Oscar Lindberg, Viktor Stalberg and Emerson Etem are making it – or are going to make it difficult for AV to justify carrying Glass and his $1.45MM cap hit into opening night. Contrarily, without Glass, there is essentially nobody in the Rangers’ lineup who is going to protect and of those more speedy skill players from jibs and jabs delivered by opponents. Glass’ role as an energy player, and agitator/enforcer was highlighted last night when he took Bruins’ Zach Rinaldo to task. Fans are divided on Glass as well. AV likes him, seems to trust him, he’s a positive locker room presence and he’s the only guy on the Rangers roster with any real NHL fighting prowess. If you think Chris Krieder is going to take that responsibility on in Glass’ absence: think again. It was against Boston last year when he got clowned so hard against the glass it look like he was trying to give a baby elephant a bath.
Can the Rangers protect themselves sufficiently without Tanner Glass?
Will they need to?
Would having more speed and point production from their fourth line simply enable them to get around having to worry about it?
#InAVWeTrust …. For now
Former Yale University standout goaltender Jeff Malcolm put in a solid performance last evening before being assigned this morning. Wearing #80 on his sweater, but #33 on his mask (I guess Cam left someone a gift), Malcolm stopped 16/18 through a full period of regulation plus the 3-on-3 OT. He was beaten on one goal owing to Kevin Hayes’ inability to get off of him in time allow eyes-on a shot from the high slot. Outside of that, he made some really niice NHL caliber saves following Henrik Lundqvist’s departure at the end of the second period.
