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Wednesday was a busy day in the NHL, as it was media tour day. For the New York Rangers, the team finally announced their rookie camp roster (nothing like waiting until almost the last minute). Chris Kreider and the Ducks agreed to part, driven by salary cap management – or mismanagement – depending on your view. Last, and not certainly not least, RIP Barry Melrose, gone way too soon.
Rangers Rookie Camp
New York plays Philadelphia’s rookies on Saturday and Sunday in Allentown, PA. Camp itself opens Thursday. Other teams announce their squads earlier in the week. The Blueshirts decided to finally wake up and release the team list yesterday.
As a reminder, those players in college will not be in camp. This is an NCAA rule. Players may not attend a pro team camp that overlaps with the academic calendar.
I am looking forward to seeing Cole Beaudoin and Liam Greentree. Similar for Nathan Aspinall and Tomas Chrenko. On the blue line, Artem Gonchar took a step forward last season and is one to watch. Alberts admits gets his first chance to show he should break camp with the parent club. Danai Shailikov was viewed as a questionable selection where he went in this year’s draft. We get our first chance to see if that was the right take.
Kreider cut loose in Anaheim
Chris Kreider was placed on termination waivers with the primary goal for Anaheim to clear $6.5 million. CK20 only wants to go back to the East Coast and has said he will invoke his NTC if claimed by a non-Eastern squad. My guess is that he passed through waivers, after which Boston and Buffalo should be viewed as the two favorites to sign him with Philly possibly in the mix. The Flyers, however, are reportedly not in the market for a winger. Their focus is on defense or center.
What about the Rangers? It’s unlikely. Impossible, no.
Based on how his departure from New York went down and all the “drama” associated with that move, I would be rath shocked if he re-signs. Add in the lack of cap space and decent depth on the left coupled with Kreider’s likely desire to play for a team with a strong chance at the playoffs, I put a 10% possibility of him donning his former jersey.
Rest in peace, Barry Melrose
When ESPN lost hockey broadcasts, Melrose, Steve Levy and John Buccigross kept the sport alive for the network. Melrose was a Rendell’s ambassador for the sport, in and out of the rink. His contributions to the sport should have earned him a Hall of Fame berth in that category. Gone way too soon at 70 due to Parkinson’s, Melrose stepped away four years ago from broadcasting. The reaction by his network colleagues then and yesterday say all you need to know how about how he is viewed.
