Four Rangers Headlines Before Peter Laviolette’s Inaugural Broadway Debut

Soon enough, Rangers fans will be either driving into Manhattan or taking the train to Penn Station to see their team skate out for the first time as a solidified unit this season. The preseason was filled with many ups and downs, but now the games mean a little more. Now, it is time for leaders to step up and for the players to live out their respective roles given by management.

Four Rangers Headlines Before Opening Week

The cuts have been made and the roster has now been finalized for Peter Laviolette’s New York Rangers. Although it was a lineup that was almost predictable, a few surprises came with the announcement of the 22 names that will be donning those fabulous blue and white sweaters this season. A couple of young prospects have finally earned the trust of the coaching staff. A core of veterans are now hungrier than ever and have revenge on their minds. Here’s a look at some of the major Rangers headlines entering the opening week.

Will Cuylle Earns His Spot on Laviolette’s Roster

It is a shame that we will not see Brennan Othmann on the main roster just yet. Although, some time in Hartford could be perfect for the 20-year-old. It is a league where he will dominate, just like Will Cuylle did last year.

By now, you should already know my stance on Will Cuylle. This is a match made in heaven for Laviolette’s roster. Yes, the new head coach’s system relies regularly on pace, speed, and a high forecheck. Add those three attributes with a spoonful of physicality and you’ve got yourself one heck of a hockey player.

The question now is what line the 21-year-old will play on. By following fellow beat writers, it looks like he has been getting numerous looks on the third line with Vincent Trocheck and Blake Wheeler. Like Alexis Lafrenière, Cuylle has also been getting looks on both the left and right wing. No matter what side of the puck he’s on, Cuylle is on pace to impress many this upcoming season.

Zac Jones Is The Seventh Defencemen

This has been a concern of many since the team let Niko Mikkola enter free agency this past summer. We were all aware that the team needed another defenceman. GM Chris Drury found many bargains during “Free Agent Frenzy” including Erik Gustafsson, who is nearly a sure lock to be starting next to Braden Schneider on the third pair this Thursday in Buffalo.

Since his days at UMass-Amherst, Zac Jones has been such an impressive player. He has some Adam Fox-like skill to his game but is nowhere near a Norris Trophy nominee as of yet. He has a great hockey IQ and is quick both on and off the puck. It will be interesting to see who Laviolette will scratch to allow Jones to play unless he will only be needed barring any injury.

Kaapo Kakko On The Top Line?

It is looking more likely every single day that Kaapo Kakko will end up on the first line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. This is what fans want to see: the young, budding forwards growing thanks to top-line minutes.

Kakko’s preseason was a promising one, despite the Blueshirts only winning one game out of the six tune-ups. He continues to grow more and more confident on the puck every time he suits up. He is so strong on the puck and will look to gain the trust of Laviolette in the form of power play minutes, likely on the second unit.

To reiterate, not every young star is going to hit the ground running like Connor McDavid. For some, in the case of both Kakko and Lafrenière, patience is needed. However, patience might be running out with the former second-overall pick being in the last year of his bridge deal. If there was ever a year to “bet on yourself,” what better time than now?

Adam Fox Earns An “A”

Am I a fan of these many alternate captains? Absolutely not, but I’ve been saying for years that Adam Fox deserves a letter on his sweater. For someone who has arguably been the best player in the franchise for a few years now, Fox is finally being recognized as a leader on this team.

You never really know who the vocal ones are just by watching, but it was clear last December that Jacob Trouba was the true, vocal leader of this club after his outburst against the Chicago Blackhawks that month. Fox might not be the loudest on the ice, but he can definitely motivate his teammates through his work ethic.

Rangers fans, just two more sleeps until the Blueshirts are back for regular season hockey. If these Rangers headlines don’t get you excited, then I don’t know what will.