What Tonight’s Rangers Roster Says About Upcoming Cuts
Alain Vigneault has to trim the roster to 30 by tomorrow (Getty)
The Rangers will be announcing roster cuts tomorrow in order to trim down to 30. “Everybody’s going to try and to make the best decisions that they can,” Alain Vigneault told reporters. “When the puck drops on October 8th teams are going to have their veteran lineups on the ice.”
Tonight, will be another opportunity for some of the younger players to make the case for a longer look. Here is the lineup:
Forwards
Anthony Duclair, Kevin Hayes, Ryan Haggerty, Carl Hagelin, Danny Kristo, Marek Hrivik, Oscar Lindberg, Dominic Moore, Chris Mueller, Lee Stempniak, Nick Tarnasky and Ryan Bourque
Defense
John Moore, Kevin Klein, Michael Kostka, Conor Allen, Matt Hunwick and Mat Bodie
Goalies
Cam Talbot, Jason Missiaen
Decisions, Decisions
Anthony Duclair (L) scores against the Flyers and celebrates with Kevin Hayes 9/29/14 (Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Anthony Duclair, Kevin Hayes and Ryan Haggerty are sure to be kept past Wednesday. After last night’s performance, nothing has dissuaded Vigneault from giving these 3 forwards and Jesper Fast a longer look.
Unfortunately for kids like Oscar Lindberg, Marek Hrivik and Danny Kristo, if they don’t make a statement tonight, they will be cut.
Chris Mueller, Nick Tarnasky and Ryan Bourque are all but sure to be sent down.
On the blue line, You are looking at a battle for the 7th defense spot and the ones who step up will stay. The absence of Dylan McIlrath in the lineup almost means he will be returned to Hartford tomorrow.
I fully expect Conor Allen to remain past Wednesday and Mat Bodie to be sent down, regardless of performance tonight.
Conor Allen has a future in NY (getty)
As for Kostka and Hunwick, both have done nothing to distinguish themselves but one could earn the 7th defense spot by default. There really is no point in having Conor Allen ride the pine instead of developing in Hartford.
What are your thoughts?
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