This week was quote day at MSG training camp. Tuesday, GM Chris Drury spoke to the media, while on Wednesday, it was coach Peter Laviolette’s turn. Neither really revealed much, especially Drury, but jay we can glean a few nuggets from what they said.
Drury speaks:
Jacob Trouba
"We've had a number of different conversations over the course of the summer (about) a lot of different things," he said. "He is very clear as to where he stands with me, and what I think of him as a player and as a leader. I think he's done a really good job here as a captain. There are so many moving parts that go in and out of being a captain, especially in New York and especially the Ranger captain. I’m excited to have him back, excited for training camp. I know he had a terrific offseason training-wise."
Drury, to no one’s surprise, didn’t touch on Trouba's inclusion in trade talks or the possible buyout discussions. I think most of us expect Trouba to last the year and then be moved after the season.
Kaapo Kakko:
"He dealt with an injury last year, and admittedly didn't have the best year," he said. "We're excited to have him back. He's a real good, young, talented player. He's healthy. Another guy that had a terrific offseason and in early testing just looks great. I think he's out to prove that last year was a fluke, and he's ready to have a good year for us."
The only takeaway is that Kakko is healthy. Where he is deployed remains to be seen. Laviolette didn’t explicitly cover this, though the implication is Kakko could get another look-see on the top line, though I see him as a third liner right now.
Alexis Lafreniere and Igor Shesterkin:
"We’re going to do everything we can to make sure he’s here for a long time," Drury said when asked about Shesterkin.
"He’s (Lafreniere) a very important young piece for our team, not only because of where we drafted him but because he continues to grow, and in our eyes, continues to get better and better," Drury said.
Not much given in either, though stating he wants both here long term is more than we expected to get from Drury. No shock on either. Igor is a UFA after the year which is different than Laf, who will be an RFA, so locking the former up sooner rather than later is slightly more of a priority.
Filp Chytil:
"We have no issues with Fil," Drury said. "He’s a full go. Nothing is holding him back, which is great news for everyone."
To me, Chytil is a pivotal player. He is penciled in as the third line center, despite the history of head injuries. New York doesn’t have great depth behind him, as Sam Carrick looks to be the fourth line pivot with Jonny Brodzinski a possible option, but neither are true third line options. If Chytil can stay healthy, which has unfortunately been a challenge, the Rangers become a lot deeper and better.
Laviolette overall
"There's been some really good continuity here for a few years, even before I got here," Laviolette pointed out at Wednesday's opening press conference. "There are a lot of pieces that have been in place and have played together for, not just last year and this year, but maybe three or four years. And, so, I do think that there's a core group that's been here and has established themselves."
"It's a great group to work with," he added. "I’m excited to get going again."
"There's room to grow and room to improve on what we did last year," Laviolette said. "Room to improve every day. Room to get better. Room to take more steps this season. That was the messaging and the plan last year, and it remains the same. I'm not necessarily trying to reinvent the wheel. We’re just trying to get better at what we're doing – trying to build off of last year and become better. And, so, some of the messaging was the same."
"There's always room inside of training camp (for competition)," he said. "There is always an opportunity for you to jump out of your shoes, knock us in the head, and say, ‘I am here. I have arrived.’ And then from there, it makes us look at everything, the entire situation. I think those are good things to have inside of an organization – people that are ready to knock down the door and make some noise. And, so, that was my message this morning in the meeting. ‘Come in here and make as much noise as you want. Take whatever you want. We're here watching.'"
Without saying it directly, winning the Cup - like expected - is the end goal. Nothing is given and nothing is guaranteed. Lavy is telling players they still have room to get to another level and that level is what’s needed to make it to that next step. While most spots are taken, if someone opens eyes in camp, they could head north with the team. Most spots within lines and d-pairs are set, though some changes still could occur based on camp performance by those not expected to head north.
Fourth like configuration, especially Rempe
"He (Rempe) put in a lot of work," Laviolette said. "This is a young player that works tirelessly at his craft to become a more physical presence, skating and stick-handling, game and involvement. He worked at it hard, and that's what you love to see. You look to see those improvements come in camp now."
Rempe sure seems like a lock to a have a bottom trip spot, but despite the work he did, nothing is guaranteed. Carrick was brought in to potentially center that line. But other options exists, as Brett Berard, Adam Edström and Brennan Othmann, as well as PTO invite Adam Erne, are among those expected to push for consideration. Add in the presence of Jimmy Vesey and Laviolette has options.
If we presume the third line will be Will Cuylle-Chytil-Kakko, then only three spots and a 13th forward remain. As seen above, New York has several options. If Othmann has a big camp, he could be the third line left wing with Cuylle sliding down. Rempe is certainly the fan favorite and a team favorite. If his offseason work made him more effective, then he should have a regular spot.
First ljne right winger, is it Reilly Smith:
"He’s (Smith) a guy that's proven to be successful and a winner," Lavy said in a nod to Smith winning a Cup with Vegas in 2023. "Anytime you can add a piece like that to the lineup, that's a real positive thing. Training camp is about to unfold, and to answer your question, yes, he will get a look there. But it's training camp also, and I don't want to box people out or box things out on day one. We'll practice, we'll play exhibition games, we'll scrimmage, we'll start the season, and I think through that, we'll get to a point where we can get some continuity."
The signs seem to point at Smith filling the open right wing spot opposite Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. Finding a fit there has been a problem since the ill-fated Pavel Buchnevich trade. Kakko could still be in the mix and maybe Othmann opens some eyes, same with Cuylle, but Smith, acquired from Pittsburgh, is expected to get the first crack at it, but Laviolette didn’t explicitly state that.
Will Laf get a shot on PP1:
"This is what training camp is for," the coach said. "It's an opportunity or a chance to look at different people or different units. But you do try to find the balance sometimes between something that was really successful, and then mixing it up and moving around. There will be opportunity where things will get looked at differently through training camp – and not just for him, but other players that have been mentioned here already in this conversation – to see where they fit in and where they where they can contribute. But the growth in his role, certainly, that's what we strive for."
Power play 1 has been set for close to two years. Adam Fox, Zib, Kreider, Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. When they are going well, the PP is hard to stop. But there have been enough instances where that unit has struggled, yet have remained intact.
What came up a lot last year was should Laf be moved up to the top unit. On paper, he deserved the chance, as Laf had that breakthrough campaign we all have been expected, posting a career-high 57 points (28 goals and 29 assists), plus another 14 (eight goals and six assists) in the playoffs. The big question is if Laf is moved up, who is moved down? Zib seems to be the most at risk, since Panarin can handle the one timer from the left dot area, though maybe not at the velocity Zib generates. This is one to keep an eye on in camp.
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