News From Day #1 Of Rangers Camp

The New York Rangers opened training camp yesterday. Players will be on the ice, so yesterday was off-ice testing etc The main component of camp’s opening was the press conference, where we got our first look at Mike Sullivan as coach – beyond the intro presser when he was hired – and a more verbose than usual GM Chris Drury.

Four items stuck out to me. First, why JT Miller was named captain. Second, the importance of communication. Three, where Mika Zibanejad will start. Lastly, the status of Braden Schneider post-surgery. 

Why JT Miller Was Named Captain

Drury and Sullivan went into reasons why Miller was given the C. Style of play was a comment by both. Miller’s willingness and desire to play with an edge, leading in that manner, were said by both the GM and the coach. In addition, Drury discussed why no changes were made to the existing list of those who had an A and why Vincent Trocheck was given one. Trocheck clearly is viewed, rightly so, as a leader, and as someone who could have been given the C awarding him an A made complete sense.

“He (Miller) goes over the boards looking to get into the fight, and he drags people into it,” Drury said. “That’s what we need.”

“We think J.T. is a great selection,” Sullivan said. “He represents in so many ways what we hope Rangers hockey’s going to look like with the way he plays the game. He’s a fierce competitor. And he’s a good person.”

“We weren’t in the position and certainly didn’t have any interest in taking an A away from any of those players,” Drury explained. “We think they’re good leaders, and we thought ‘Troch’ deserved one. He’s someone I’ve leaned on heavily here since we got him and there’s no doubt in my mind he’s worthy of joining that group and getting an A.”

No More Communication Breakdown 

Peter Laviolette also spoke of the need for good communication after Gerard Gallant was a bit more standoffish with player communication. Yesterday, though, Sullivan and Drury both stressed the importance of communication. Sullivan reached to pretty much everyone on the team, traveling to the home of several leaders to establish an early relationship and learn what makes the players tick.

To me, more important is the fact that Drury appears to have learned from the issues and mistakes he made in the past with prior communication. Those steps forward were mentioned by Chris Kreider when he discussed his deal to Anaheim. Playing well on the ice and winning is of course paramount, but being on the same page and pulling in the same direction with a shared communicated approach is a positive. 

“I think it’s an important aspect of coaching,” Sullivan said. “It starts with relationships, and I wanted to give these guys an opportunity to get to know me a little bit, and I wanted to have a chance to get to know them a little bit. Quite honestly, the conversation a lot of times revolved around building a partnership. We all want the same thing — we want to win.”

“I thought it was important that we started that conversation early, (and) to have that conversation in the offseason away from the rink, I think is valuable,” Sullivan added. “It gives players an opportunity maybe in their own environment where they’re more comfortable, a chance to share their insights on the group and how that could best serve me as the coach moving forward so that we can hit the ground running, so to speak. … I thought (they were) important and worthwhile conversations. It was well worth the effort, and I’m thrilled that I had a chance to get to know some of these guys.”

“I think it starts with communication … just the time and effort he’s put in to get to know these players,” Drury said Wednesday. “He had a few of them at 4 Nations, obviously. But just giving the group, including his staff, the chance to hit the ground running by relationship-building during the summer — different travels here and there to get to know players; as he said, it was time well spent. I think it’s going to give us a chance to get off to a good start in training camp.”

Zibanejad opening season at right wing 

Zibanejad had 32 points in 33 games skating with Miller. Despite those numbers, arguments certainly exist to moving Zib back to center. New York would be stronger down the middle with Zib as the 3C behind Miller and Trocheck. That also would allow another young player a shot at making the team at wing. 

As of now, though, Zib will play with Miller, starting at right wing. In discussions with Sullivan, he expressed the chemistry between the two and his desire to maintain that connection, which makes sense. Jusso Parssinen will get a chance to open the season as the 3C, with his linemates to be determined.

“I would envision Mika starting the season in the top six on the wing,” Sullivan told the media. “In my conversations with Mika during the offseason, he expressed to me the chemistry he felt he built with J.T. J.T. expressed the same thing. I think these guys are important guys for our team, so common sense would suggest maybe that we start there and see if that’s in the best interest of the group.”

Braden Schneider Managed In Camp

Braden Schneider underwent surgery in April to repair a torn labrum he played with throughout last season. To help manage his recovery, the team will slightly slow play his return in camp. Drury said Wednesday that the 23-year-old defenseman will participate in practices right from the start of camp and is able to initiate and receive contact. However, as a sign of precaution, Schneider will wear a no-contact jersey to begin camp and won’t take part in scrimmages

The plan, unless there is a setback, is for Schneider to play two of the final three preseason games. As long as he comes out of those with no issues, Schneider will be in the lineup on Opening Night, October 7. The only slight detriment to this plan is that Schneider may not see much action with who his pair mate will be and I wonder if this impacts the possibility of him playing on his off-side.