Zuccarello says he’s “as good as new”, McDonagh ready to lead and more from yesterday’s informal skate

Anthony Scultore Sep 9, 2015

Ahhhh, as the end of summer and beginning of the fall signals the rebirth of another hockey season. After a disappointing finish to last year by losing to Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference Final, the New York Rangers hit the ice for an informal skate. Meanwhile, MSG readies the ice for the 2015-16 campaign. Let’s go!

Zuccarello Talks Health

Mats Zuccarello said he was winded and that this was the hardest he’s skated all summer. The team’s little spark plug spoke to reporters yesterday and added this:

[su_quote cite=”NHL.com” url=”https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=778367″]”I haven’t skated for that long,” Zuccarello said. “I’ve been working out hard, but it took me time to get going before I could do everything and feel in shape. I feel like I’m on my way there and I still got some weeks before the season starts. Hopefully, I’ll be ready to go.” [/su_quote]

As we’ve brought up several times, we are concerned with how the injury will affect Zuccarello mentally, not physically going forward. Here’s what he said about getting ready:

[su_quote cite=”NHL.com” url=”https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=778367″]”It’s hard to say before I go on the ice and play a game if it’s going to affect me. I don’t think about it. All I think about is getting back in shape and getting back to being [game] ready. Nothing more than that.”[/su_quote]

Let’s hope Zucc shakes off the rust at camp and puts the injury in the recesses of his mind for the rest of his career. Good Luck Hobbit!

#NYR winger @zuccarello36 feels “as good as new” & is ready to go this season; full story: https://t.co/cLRSYyXuv5 pic.twitter.com/hvOPbwlPlg

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 8, 2015

McDonagh More Comfortable as the “C”

Ryan McDonagh spoke with the NY Daily News and offered this about his 2nd year as the captain. [su_quote cite=”NYDN”

url=”https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/ryan-mcdonagh-broken-foot-pretty-normal-article-1.2351034″]”It makes me feel a lot more comfortable in it and more mature in that role,” McDonagh said of entering Year Two of wearing the “C.” “It’s something that’s feeling more natural now and a part of me, trying not to change who I am, just try and be a good teammate, someone guys can look for as an example on and off the ice and bounce questions off about what it’s like to be a New York Ranger and what we’re trying to accomplish here.”[/su_quote]

The captain also stated that the loss to Tampa “still stings” and that he feels the team not changing much over the summer is a sign that management believes they can win it all. As for the broken foot…he’s good to go.

ARE YOU READY….FOR SOME HOCKEY!

Meanwhile the ice @TheGarden is almost ready for #NYR hockey!! #LGR pic.twitter.com/74attej4AQ — New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 8, 2015

Around the NYR Beat Writers

Many Rangers back at work pic.twitter.com/3g1qnPH2MO

— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) September 8, 2015

Don’t know. Zuke said he has one more checkup scheduled, hopes to get in better shape & play during pre-season first https://t.co/67Eq3qhtkn

— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) September 8, 2015

Huge @NYR contingent at informal prax today: Zuccarello, Brassard, Stepan, Boyle, Glass, Nash, Kreider, Girardi, Moore, Klein, Hayes (more)

— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) September 8, 2015

NYR continued: Moore, McIlrath, Stalberg, Etem, Miller, Bourque, Skjei, and others. Lundqvist, McDonagh at NHL promotional tour in Toronto

— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) September 8, 2015