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The New York Rangers open training camp for the 2026-27 season on September 16. Due to the shortened preseason, both in terms of number of games and length, the massive rosters we used to see in the past have been skinnied down. New York will have 28 forwards, 15 defensemen and five goalies. Contrast those numbers to last year when the Blueshirts invited 33 forwards, 22 blueliners and six netminders to camp
Rangers NHL Camp Roster
Preseason Schedule
This season, Training Camp includes four preseason games: last season, New York played six contests. With camp opening today, though practices won’t kick off until tomorrow, the Blueshirts will have just 13 days together until the regular season commences. I sure hope they are in shape because the squad has less than a fortnight to be ready.
- September 21 at NJD (7:00 PM ET)
- September 22 vs. NYI (7:00 PM ET)
- September 24 vs. NJD (7:00 PM ET)
- September 25 at NYI (7:30 PM ET).
CBA: New contract term limits take effect
In other news, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) kicked in at midnight (Sept. 16). What this means is that teams can no longer sign players to eight year deals, as seven years is now the max. Washington with Ryan Leonard and Justin Sourduf and Buffalo with Noah Ostlund locked up their young, key components of their roster before the deadline. New York failed to pursue opportunity with Gabe Perreault (and to a lesser extent, Will Cuylle and Noah Laba)
It’s unclear if this was Drury’s decision, the Perreault camp’s, or both. Irrespective of why, it’s a missed chance in a rising salary cap to obtain cost and contract length control for an extra year.
I view this more as a management than player fail, given past history. If Perreaylt blossoms as many of us think he will, Drury and the Rangers will end up paying more to retain him but for one less year than was available now.
Under the new CBA, a contract now also has two additional limitations:
1. Any Salary Back-Diving Variance in Adjacent League Years Cannot Exceed 25% of the Salary in the First Contract Year
2. The Lowest Yearly Salary May Not Be Less Than 60% of the Highest Yearly Salary
While each are lesser known and focused on than the length of deals, both will have an impact on contract structures. This prevents front loading or back loading a deal, forcing more equanimity in how a deal is crafted. Just another pair of factors for future contracts.
Tie to lace up the skates. Hockey season is here.
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Tagged: New York Rangers, nhl