NHL Preseason: Rangers Release Training Camp Roster Let the Games Begin!

Tomorrow is one of the most interesting days of the year for hockey fans. Tomorrow the New York Rangers start their season by going to training camp. For the fans, this is a happy reminder that hockey season is almost here.

However, for the Blueshirts and baby Blueshirts who just battled in Traverse City, the next two days are going to be a living hell. The first two days have been referred to as "The Test." The aforementioned test is a set of conditioning exercises that John Tortorella uses to separate the men from the boys.

This conditioning is an early test of who is ready for the NHL and who is getting back on a bus destined for Hartford or a plane back to the NCAA or simply back to Canadian Juniors. The best way to visually describe the daunting and painstaking exercises is this clip from Miracle, based on Herb Brooks and the 1980 men's Olympic hockey team.

Herb Brooks was a great American coach and Tortorella is not too shabby himself. His philosophy behind starting camp with these drills is to ensure that every member of his team can step on the ice in the final minutes of the third period or overtime and have an impact on the game.

Here is the roster of players that will step onto the ice at the MSG Training Center in Greenburgh tomorrow, according to Newsday's Steve Zipay.

**Players marked with a number sign (#) represent those who will most likely make the NHL club.

Forwards

• # Artem Anisimov
• Jonathan Audy-Marchessault
• Sean Avery
• Ryan Bourque
• # Brian Boyle
• # Ryan Callanan
• Erik Christensen
• Andre Deveaux
• # Brandon Dubinsky
• # Ruslan Fedotenko
• # Marian Gaborik
• Tommy Grant
• Carl Hagelin
• Jordan Hickmott
• Tayler Jordan
• Kale Kerbashian
• Chad Kolark
• Shane McColgan
• Randy McNaught
• J.T. Miller
• John Mitchell
• Kris Newbury
• # Brandon Prust
• # Brad Richards
• # Mike Rupp
• Michael St. Croix
• # Derek Stepan
• Kelsey Tessier
• Christian Thomas
• Andreas Thuresson
• Dale Weise
• Jason Wilson
• # Wojtek Wolski
• Andrew Yogan
• Mats Zuccarello

Defensemen

• Lee Baldwin
• Brendan Bell
• Stu Bickel
• Collin Bowman
• Peter Ceresnak
• Michael Del Zotto
• # Steve Eminger
• # Tim Erixon
• # Dan Girardi
• Sam Klassen
• Tomas Kundratek
• # Ryan McDonagh
• Dylan McIlrath
• Jyri Niemi
• Jared Nightingale
• Samuel Noreau
• Blake Parlett
• # Mike Sauer
• # Marc Staal
• Pavel Valentenko

Goaltenders

• # Martin Biron
• Chad Johnson
• # Henrik Lundqvist
• Jason Missiaen
• Scott Stajcer
• Cameron Talbot

UPDATE: Andrew Gross of The Record posted this update this morning.

Group 1:
Sean Avery, Ruslan Fedotenko, Kris Newbury, Brandon Prust, Brian Boyle, Ryan Callahan, Erik Christensen, Mike Rupp, Steve Eminger, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal, Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, Tommy Grant, Kale Kerbashian.

Group 2:
Brandon Dubinsky, Marian Gaborik, Carl Hagelin, Dylan McIlrath, Artem Anisimov, John Mitchell, Brad Richards, Derek Stepan, Ryan Bourque, Andre Deveaux, Wojtek Wolski, Mats Zuccarello, Tim Erixon, Jordan Hickmott, Chad Kolarik, Dale Weise.

Group 3:
Lee Baldwin, Tomas Kundratek, J.T. Miller, Pavel Valentenko, Sam Klassen, Jyri Niemi, Jared Nightingale, Samuel Noreau, Brendan Bell, Stu Bickel, Michael Del Zotto, Michael Sauer, Andreas Thuresson.

Group 4:
Peter Ceresnak, Blake Parlett, Christian Thomas, Jason Wilson, Tayler Jordan, Shane McColgan, Michael St. Croix, Collin Bowman, Chris McKelvie, Kelsey Tessier, Scott Tanski, Matt Rust, Andrew Yogan, Marty Biron, Chad Johnson, Henrik Lundqvist, Jason Missiaen, Scott Stajcer, Cameron Talbot.

When I look up and down the roster, I see a lot of players who were invited to camp for just days one and two. Players like Scott Stajcer, Tomas Kundaterk or Michael St. Croix will not be in the NHL this year.

However, the conditioning tests will give John Tortorella, Jim Schoenfield and Glen Sather an idea of how ready these players are to play in the AHL or NHL. Some players will go back to juniors because of age restraints, but they will not be forgotten.

Roster Spot Battles

The following roles are up for grabs for the Rangers. The players in bold typeface are my predictions for who will make the team in that capacity.

Third Defense Pairing

Contenders: Tim Erixon, Michael Del Zotto, Steve Eminger (Utilty), Pavel Valentenko, Blake Parlett

This spot on the lineup is a toss up. The Rangers have two solidified top pairings in Staal—Girardi and Sauer—McDonagh.

The Rangers will most likely take their chance on two youngsters in Erixon and DelZotto. Steve Eminger will come along for the ride as a solid fall back if a youngster falters.

Third Line Wing

Contenders: Sean Avery, Carl Hagelin, Erik Christensen, Ryan Bourque, Christian Thomas

In my opinion, Erik Christensen and Sean Avery may be on their way out. Both have expiring contracts at the year's end and the Rangers have many youngsters waiting in the wings. These players could see some first-line minutes as members of the Connecticut Whale this year.

Avery could still snag it because of his grit and tenacity but we all know the shaky relationship he has with Tortorella.

The Rangers will have no problem moving the two between the NHL and AHL because no one is lining up to pluck these players off a potential waiver wire.

Top Line Wing

Contenders: Wojtek Wolski, Derek Stepan, Ruslan Fedotenko, Brandon Dubinsky

I can't pick a true winner because Tortorella will really roll the dice until he gets a line that clicks. Fedotenko is a wild card because he played his best hockey in Tampa when he was paired with Richards. Tortorella may try and recreate some Tampa magic.

Stepan will be given a shot; he could really learn from playing alongside a playmaker like Richards.

Wojtek Wolski is the favorite because of his size, skill set and the hard work he put in this summer with Barbara Underhill and former NHL tough man Gary Roberts during his Bio Steel training camp.

With all things considered, tomorrow is just the beginning. This Ranger team is younger, stronger and more talented than in previous years. The quest to capture the Stanley Cup begins tomorrow and it will be a constant struggle day in and day out.

What are you looking forward to most about training camp? Leave a comment in the section below to get the conversation started.

 

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist and New York Rangers Featured Columnist.

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