Rangers Rookies And Draft Decentralization

The New York Rangers‘ rookies play games Saturday and Sunday, yet there is no mention on the team’s social media. However, New York opted to share their special ticket offers/giveaways. While the giveaways for those dates do look great, once again the team’s prospects get short shrift.

As in the past, the team will not livestream the contests. Fortunately, the Flyers will once again livestream the games. (For context, compare and contrast the two organizations from the tweet shared below). It’s amazing and still shocking – though it shouldn’t be, given history – that the organization refuses to stream the game online for its fanbase. Maybe when MSG is split into two, and a new management group is involved, New York will enter the 21st century. 

Training camps are close to opening as well. As of September 8th, the Rangers’ roster looks fairly set. I think we all would love another top-six option, as Eeli Tolvanen’s addition certainly deepens the bottom-six. I do not expect any major moves prior to or during camp. What is mildly surprising is that the team has not yet brought in anyone on a PTO. This might be because the bottom-six is already deep, and recent players who parlayed their invites into full-time roles were Jimmy Vesey and Conor Sheary, each of whom skated on the lower trios.

Maybe the team will throw a curveball before camp begins. I will update this column with the links when rosters and any other pertinent information are finally posted.

NHL Draft Decentralization Continues

Pierre LeBrun reported that the NHL Draft, scheduled for June 25-26, will be decentralized for the third year in a row. The calls to return to an in-person event were just a buzz after the first year. After this past year’s draft, the push grew louder and louder. While it certainly is cheaper to be virtual, the connectivity among teams, their selections, and each other was a shell of what the draft used to be. Anyone who watched the event came away highly disappointed. Yet. once again. The NHL makes a decision that makes little sense.