Joe's Reaction of the Week (Chip's Version): Sorting Out the Rangers' Final Roster
The Rangers' offseason heavy lifting is basically done, but training camp still has to sort out a defense logjam that could cost someone a trip through waivers.
In the words of Lou Brown:
Unless you're an anonymous executive or scout, the New York Rangers have had an objectively strong offseason that continued with the one-year extension for defenseman Braden Schneider on Monday. While there are still free agents available, it is reasonable to assume that the heavy lifting of the offseason has been concluded. Yes, there are still a couple restricted free agents to sort out—Scott Morrow and Vincent Iorio—and the Rangers will likely bring in a couple of players on PTOs during camp (more on that in a different column), but for the most part, both the roster and the players who will look to force their way onto the roster are pretty well set.
Let's take a look at how I think this is going to shake out.
Centers
The Locks: Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, Noah Laba, Joe Veleno
The Contenders: Jusso Parssinen, Cole Beaudoin, Justin Dowling
The top four center positions are likely set for now. Is there a chance that Cole Beaudoin is so awesome in camp that the Rangers start the season with him and either move Miller to wing or put Veleno in street clothes? Yes, but I don't see that being a likely outcome, and the Rangers aren't going to keep him around to sit in the press box.
Parssinen and Dowling are a different situation. They're not competing for starting roles, but could be in the mix for the 13th forward spot that had previously been occupied by Jonny Brodzinski. This is also a prime spot where the Rangers could look to add a veteran on a PTO.
