New York Rangers Turning the Most Heads at 2013-14 Training Camp

NHL training camps are slowly coming to a close now that preseason games have gotten underway and there are a number of New York Rangers still fighting for roster spots.

As a result of injuries and contract negotiations, there are a number of spots up for grabs with the Rangers heading into this season.

With a number of players having had good camps to date, here are the Blueshirts who have turned the most heads so far this preseason.

Brad Richards

Brad Richards had a terrible 2012-13 season by his standards, but he has fully embraced the Rangers' "clean slate" mantra.

Thus far, he has been one of the hardest workers in training camp and new bench boss Alain Vigneault has been impressed with what he has seen, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News:

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Today you watched him in the (on-ice) testing, he was the first guy in line, Vigneault continued. You could tell that his skating was real good. To me, he looks real positive, and he looks like he's got a lot of energy. So I think he's looking forward to the challenge that's coming up with this season, and he seems like he wants to lead the troops, and that's what we want him to do.

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Richards is looking to have a bounce-back year and he has shown thus far that he is ready for the 2013-14 season to begin. Currently in line to be a top-six center, a rejuvenated Richards will be needed by the Rangers if they want to be a Stanley Cup contender.

Oscar Lindberg

Oscar Lindberg has turned out to be a great diamond in the rough for the Blueshirts.

The Swedish pivot was originally drafted in the second round of the 2010 draft by the Phoenix Coyotes. He was acquired by New York in a trade that sent prospect Ethan Werek to Phoenix.

Last season, Lindberg was the playoff MVP in the Swedish Elite League and he has had a great training camp. Lindberg was tied for the lead in team scoring at the Traverse City prospect tournament and is competing for an opening night roster spot.

The 6'0" center could be a great asset for the Rangers this season and he has a ton of potential.

Danny Kristo

Danny Kristo, who was acquired over the summer in a trade that sent Christian Thomas to the Montreal Canadiens, has a solid chance to make the top six to start the season in New York.

The 5'11" right winger was an amazing collegiate player for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux and he has been very impressive thus far for the Blueshirts.

Kristo was tied with Oscar Lindberg for the team lead in scoring at the Traverse City tournament and has been a hard worker in training camp. Tal Pinchevsky of NHL.com is touting Kristo as a player who is looking to make a difference for the Rangers. That has been evident in training camp.

Dominic Moore

Dominic Moore took last season off from the NHL to be with his wife, Katie, who tragically passed away from cancer in January at age 32.

Moore left the San Jose Sharks during the 2011-12 playoffs and that was the last time he appeared in a regular-season game.

It would have been understandable if Moore showed some rust after such a lengthy layoff, but he has really been impressive so far this preseason. 

Moore scored the Rangers' only goal against the New Jersey Devils in their preseason opener and he is almost a lock to center the fourth line this season.

 Alain Vigneault was pleased with what he saw on the ice and on the bench. Moore could be a great locker room leader to have this season, according to Steve Zipay of Newsday.

The Rangers' 2005 third-round draft pick has been a pleasant surprise in camp and he could be a vital asset this season.

Marek Hrivik

Marek Hrivik is a 6'1". 195-pound winger who is a wild card to make the New York Rangers' opening night roster.

Last season. Hrivik had 26 points in 40 games with the Connecticut Whale. He has a prime opportunity to take Carl Hagelin's roster spot for the beginning of this season.

Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, tweeted that Hrivik had a "NHL ready body" and that is something that was very evident during training camp. Of all the players on the Rangers' roster, Hrivik has one of the biggest potential upsides because of his age and skills.

The Slovak winger picked up an assist during the Rangers' preseason loss to the New Jersey Devils. He could be a great diamond in the rough for the Blueshirts.