Rangers Face Final Roster Decisions Ahead of Season Opener

New York, NY — As the NHL preseason comes to a close, the New York Rangers are nearing their final roster decisions ahead of the season opener on October 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Questions linger regarding player injuries and the remaining spots on the roster, which may reflect a shift towards a younger team under new head coach Mike Sullivan.

Notably, Artemi Panarin, who has been sidelined with an upper-body injury, missed practice earlier this week but skated individually. Meanwhile, the Rangers have assigned defenseman Scott Morrow, 22, and forward Gabe Perreault, 20, to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, indicating a strategy to give younger players more ice time.

Noah Laba, Brett Berard, Conor Sheary, and Jonny Brodzinski remain in contention for the final roster spots. Sullivan emphasized the players’ ability to influence their chances through their daily performances. ‘You can’t always control decisions that coaches and management make, but you can certainly influence them with how you come to the rink every day,’ he stated.

This move towards youth is evident with Perreault, the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 draft, and Morrow, who was acquired in a trade involving K’Andre Miller. Both players are viewed as potential impact players for the Rangers, though they will first develop in the AHL before possibly joining the NHL lineup.

Laba has been impressive in the preseason, collecting five points in four games. His competition with Juuso Parssinen for the third-line center role remains tight. Sheary has filled in for Panarin on the second line, while Berard, who logged 35 games last season, continues to make a case for himself.

‘I feel like I’ve always been versatile,’ Parssinen said of his competition for the center spot. ‘I hope it helps,’ he added, emphasizing the importance of finding a stable position.

With the preseason winding down, the pressure mounts for the players on the cusp of the final roster. ‘These guys, in our estimation, are NHL players in the making,’ Sullivan said, maintaining that their development is a priority for the team.

As opening night approaches, it remains unclear which players will fill the final spots. Fans and analysts alike eagerly await the Rangers’ decisions, knowing that the cultivation of their young talent could determine their success in the upcoming season.