Rangers Make Waiver Moves, Move Closer to Finalizing Opening Night Roster
K’Andre Miller appears to have solidified a spot on the opening night roster
Today is a mega waivers day in the NHL, and the Rangers have placed a number of players on waivers as they move closer to finalizing their opening night rosters.
#NYR on waivers: Bitetto, Blackwell, Brodzinsi, Crawley, Fontaine, Greco, Kinkaid.
— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) January 11, 2021
Of this list there really aren’t any surprises. Colin Blackwell, Anthony Bitetto, and Anthony Greco were signed to two-year deals in free agency. Jonny Brodinski is on a one-year deal worth $700,000, and both Gabriel Fontaine (171st overall in 2016) and Brandon Crawley (123rd overall in 2017) are on similar deals.
Lastly is Keith Kinkaid who signed a two-year deal worth $825,000 who should clear, although one wonders if the New Jersey Devils would claim their former starting goaltender given the recent retirement of Corey Crawford.
Given that the AHL isn’t starting up till February, these are procedural transactions for now in terms of getting under the salary cap, and it remains to be seen which players will be part of the eventual taxi squad.
Additionally, the Rangers appear to have the majority of their team set, as they have divided up the A and B teams in practice.
Rangers second group today, pretty much the opening roster: #NYR pic.twitter.com/i13aabILIB
— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) January 11, 2021
Based on the above, it appears K’Andre Miller will make the opening night roster, and for the time being he will skate with Jacob Trouba.
Today's first practice group spells out the Rangers' first cuts. A few of these will likely make the taxi squad. The second group will mostly make the opening-night roster. #NYR pic.twitter.com/qcdZz1j7bS
— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) January 11, 2021
Puck drop for the Rangers’ first game of the season is Thursday at 7:00 p.m. vs. the New York Islanders, and although it is still early, there is a lot to be excited about based on the lines we’ve seen in practice.