Updates And Line Combinations From Training Camp Thus Far
The New York Rangers Tuesday concluded day two of training camp, and we’ve started to gain a sense of normalcy return as hockey begins to flood social media once again. Here are some quick hits, updates, and potential line combinations as we move closer to the season resuming on August 1.
- For the second consecutive day, head coach David Quinn’s line combinations looked nearly identical as they did earlier in the season before the pause. He also hinted at leaning on the same players as he did earlier in the year./
David Quinn is making it pretty clear that he wants the guys who did the heavy lifting in the regular season to know they're still the guys who will be leaned on.
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) July 13, 2020
"This isn’t training camp. We are picking up where we left off – and I want that to be crystal clear."#NYR
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Pavel Buchnevich
Artemi Panarin - Ryan Strome - Jesper Fast
Phil Di Giuseppe - Filip Chytil - Kaapo Kakko
Brendan Lemieux - Brett Howden/Greg McKegg - Julien Gauthier
Brendan Smith - Jacob Trouba
Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox
Marc Staal - Tony DeAngelo
- Brendan Lemieux has been alternating with Greg McKegg on the fourth line, and that likely has to do with the question mark surrounding Lemieux’s suspension. Lemieux was suspended back on March 13 for his high hit on Colorado’s Joonas Donskoi, but the length wasn’t determined as the league was in the midst of pausing the season.
- One of the biggest story lines heading into the Qualifying Round is which goaltender will get the nod against the Carolina Hurricanes. Quinn provided some clarity on the situation and stated the regular season will play part of a role in the decision./
DQ on #NYR goalie decision:
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) July 14, 2020
"It's not just about what we see in these next two and a half weeks. The regular season is going to play a role in who's going to get the nod."
That's why I believe it's an uphill battle for Henrik Lundqvist ➡️ https://t.co/qxgASEKP6t
@lohudsports
- K’Andre Miller made an appearance with the starters group today on one of the extra defensive pairings, while also taking part in a scrimmage. While Miller isn’t eligible to play when the season resumes, the Rangers are getting a head start on the acclimation process for next season.
- The long layoff was clearly a blessing in disguise for Kaapo Kakko, who hadn’t had much time off after his season ended in TPS Turku more than 12 months ago. Kakko hopped right on a plane for the World Championships, and then right to New York for rookie camp and Traverse City. It will be interesting to see a more refreshed and comfortable Kakko as the team gears up for the playoffs./
Amateur observation: Kakko looks spry to me — leaner and quicker.
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) July 14, 2020
He just held up well in a defensive drill, winning a 50-50 puck battle with Julien Gauthier. (A very big, strong dude).
We’ll see how it plays out, but DQ has said Kakko seems more comfortable. #NYR
- Artemi Panarin was also named one of the three finalists for the Ted Lindsay award, which is the NHLPA’s choice for the most outstanding player of the season. The other two finalists are Leon Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon./