New York Rangers Make Second Roster Cuts, Some Extremely Shocking

Today the Rangers have made their second roster cuts in training camp. They have cut 11 players, narrowing their options to a total of 27 players.

Players Sent to Hartford

Chad Johnson, Wade Redden, Dane Byers (who must clear waivers first), Evgeny Grachev, Kris Newbury (Must clear waivers also), Dale Weise, Jeremy Williams (Must clear waivers), and Mats Zuccarello.

Shocking: Mats Zuccarello, Evgeny Grachev, and Dale Weise

No, none of these players had an excellent training camp or preseason for the Rangers, but I thought that they would at least be given a better chance.

Zuccarello was signed by Glen Sather to become an aid to the Rangers' horrific offense from last season, but I guess Sather and John Tortorella believe a season in the AHL will do good for the Norwegian-Hobbit.

I thought Grachev had a good second game in Detroit, but not good enough to stay longer in camp.

I enjoyed watching the energetic Dale Weise against New Jersey in Game 1, and believed he could steal a spot on the Rangers roster. Expect him to be a midseason call-up for the Rangers.

Other Roster Cuts (Tryouts)

Garnet Exelby, Alexei Semenov, and Brandon Manning.

Shocking: Alexei Semenov.

I was extremely shocked by the news of Semenov being cut from camp, and released from his tryout contract with the Rangers. I thought he played extremely well in his three preseason games, and I was hoping he would make the team as an extra defenseman. He was very physical and stood up for his teammates. He was the type of player the Rangers needed on defense.

Bubble Players

Players that will be fighting for to keep a spot on the Rangers training camp roster—and a roster on the team—are Ruslan Fedotenko, Pavel Valentenko, Derek Stepan, Todd White, Matt Gilroy, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Sauer, Brian Boyle, and Tim Kennedy.