"We're Going to Compete": Notes From Sullivan and Drury's Preseason Media Availability

With training camp officially underway, head coach Mike Sullivan and president and general manager Chris Drury had their first media availability of the 2026-27 season. You can watch the full interview below.

Some housekeeping first and foremost: All Rangers players have reported to camp and are healthy with the exception of Cole Beaudoin and Aiden Thompson. Beaudoin is day-to-day, while Thompson is week-to-week.

Aside from that, one of the first questions Sullivan was asked was about the shortened camps, preseason, and how it would effect roster decisions. When asked if the team was essentially already picked, he did what all coaches would do and said no and that his staff would "provide opportunities for people to show what they can do."

Later in the press conference, he specifically mentioned that Alberts Smits would have a chance at making the opening night roster.

Chris Drury was asked specifically about J.T. Miller and how where his game stands, especially in the absence of Vincent Trocheck down the middle.

Drury also went into detail about the improvements he and his team have made with this roster over the season.

When asked about the most important additions this summer, Drury mentioned depth being a key factor with last season's struggles. Immediately following that, Sullivan was asked about Pavel Dorofeyev and where he will fit into this Rangers team this season.

In terms of expectations for the season, Sullivan indicated that they're going to compete, and having a healthy, deeper roster will play a big role in the team taking a step forward this year.

Sullivan was also asked about the changes to his teams blue line, specifically with the new additions in Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson. Sullivan went into greater detail about Pettersson, having coached him during his time in Pittsburgh. Sullivan praised him as a "solid, competitive, two-way, player." Sullivan continued to say:

"he moves the puck pretty well, defends with his stick, he's long and rangy, and he's competitive. He's not the heaviest guy in the form of his physical play but he competes and gets involved physically. I think he's going to help us on both sides of the puck, he's got a decent hockey-IQ, he sees it pretty well on both sides of the puck, I think he'll help us get out of our end zone a little cleaner, he has the ability to go tape to tape, he makes pretty good decisions along the offensive blue line."

As for Durzi, Sullivan mentioned he's had a number of conversations with him already. He also praised Durzi's abilities as a puck mover and reiterated that he will help the team be able to get the puck out of their own end much cleaner.

Sullivan was also asked about the backup goaltender position and went into depth about who will be Igor Shesterkin's understudy this season. The conversation again turned to "healthy" competition in all positions, including goaltending.

Lastly, with new changes to the collective bargaining agreement coming into effect as of today, Drury was asked about Gabe Perreault's next contract and whether there was any inclination to get him or anyone else signed to a new contract prior to those changes taking place.

The Rangers will take the ice for the first time tomorrow with Group A practicing at 11:00 a.m., Group B practicing at 1:05 p.m, and the two groups scrimmaging at noon.