Rangers Roundup: Camp, Rookie Series, and More

The New York Rangers rookie camp opened Wednesday. We got a glimpse at the lines, which were somewhat telling. Same with the first defensive pairs. 

– Noah Laba, who got his first 11 games with the Wolf Pack last season after wrapping up at Colorado College, is clearly well thought of in the organization. He skated with Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault on the top line. 

“I think [the AHL games were] huge, I’m really glad I went there at the end of the year,” Laba said. “We I think what I learned was invaluable going into this year. If I had not, I think I’d be a little less prepared going into camp.”

Rookie Camp Day One: News and Notes

– Perreault put on around 10lbs to get up to about 180lbs. As long as the extra weight doesn’t slow down Perreault, who isn’t the fleetest of foot, getting bigger certainly should help. Perreault relies on his hockey sense to make plays. Ten more pounds could make him to mark in front. 

– Othmann also added some weight and is up to 195 pounds. He switched gyms this offseason to the Gary Roberts Performance in Vaughan, Ontario,working out with players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Gabriel Landeskog, Sean Durzi and Quinton Byfield. Besides the weight and strength gain, more important was the removal of the star factor. Othmann interacting and being around these players should make it easier for him to settle in this year rather than being a bystander watching who he is on the ice with. In addition, his comments show someone who is confident in his abilities.

Where is Othmann’s patience level with himself right now?

“Everyone peaks at their own time. Honestly, brutally honest, I’m not worried about my abilities or when I’m going to play in the NHL. I’m going to play in the NHL at some point, whether it’s this year or whether it’s whatever. I’m going to play in the NHL and I know I am and I’m confident in that.”

Line combinations

All eyes were on the top line. Meanwhile, the other three forward lines consisted of:

Adam Sýkora – Carey Terrance – Kalle Väisänen
Josef Chmelař – Dylan Roobroeck – Nathan Aspinal
Bryce McConnell-Barker – Raoul Boilard – Sullivan Mack

– Scott Morrow skated with Jackson Dorrington as the first defensive pair. This is a big camp for Morrow, who would benefit from a strong performance in the rookie games to carry forward into regular camp. He has a shot to earn a spot on the regular roster and lineup.