Notes from practice on October 4th, 2023. Chytil's potential return, Johnathan Quick to start against the Devils, Kakko speaks on the new season.
Notes from practice on October 4th, 2023. Chytil's potential return, Johnathan Quick to start against the Devils, Kakko speaks on the new season.
Tarrytown, N.Y- The New York Rangers roster was trimmed down again on Sunday. Twenty-seven players remain in training camp, making for a single-group practice. The roster is solidifying itself ahead of the Ranger's last two preseason matches.
Filip Chytil skated on his own today, and Johnathan Quick will be starting against the New Jersey Devils at 7:00 tonight at the Prudential Center.
The Ranger's season opener is 8 days away, against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Arena.
Lines:
Panarin – Zibanejad – Kakko
Kreider – Trocheck – Wheeler
Cuylle – Goodrow – Pitlick
Vesey – Bonino – Othmann
*Lafreniere and Brodzinski as extras
Miller – Trouba
Gustafsson – Fox
Lindgren – Schneider
Jones – Harpur
Quick (Starter Tonight)
Shesterkin
PP1: Zibanejad-Trocheck-Panarin-Kreider-Fox
PP2:Wheeler-Cuylle-Kakko Miller-Gustafsson
Kakko's View on Training Camp :
Kaapo Kakko is heading into his fifth season in the NHL and many are forecasting a breakout for the 2019 2nd overall draft pick. He spoke about training camp this year, "It's been a little more learning than last year, but we still have a couple of more games left before the real games. Time to get better and we've been better every day."
The 22-year-old has rounded out his game over the last few seasons and continued to do so over the summer, "It's been about the same things every summer, getting stronger and faster. I don't have that big of a weakness so I could do more during the summer. Nothing special."
David Quinn utilized Kakko's playmaking abilities on the powerplay flank in his first season as a Ranger in 2019-2020. Since then, he has been relegated to the second unit.
More powerplay repetitions in the preseason may translate to the regular season, "I think all the players want to play on the powerplay, you have more chances to score goals. Everyone wants to do that but it's still preseason. It's been fun, and hopefully, I will be there in the regular games."
Return Timeline for Chytil:
Peter Laviolette was asked about Chytil’s availability for opening night. He began by stating, " I hate saying things that may not be right or true one way or another".
Chytils has been skating on his own with the coaching staff, "The reports this morning were really good, that he got a really good skate in, a good workout just progressing in the right direction."
The new head coach has been transparent in his conversations about injuries, lineup decisions, and his vision for training camp. There is a purpose behind everything.