Weekend Cuts & Preseason Game 4 Preview

The Rangers are slowly but surely beginning to make some cuts from the preseason roster as they assigned a handful of AHL-veterans to the Hartford Wolf Pack over the weekend. As of Saturday Afternoon, Alex Belzile, Ben Harpur and Jake Leschyshyn were sent to Hartford just prior to the start of their training camp, joining goaltenders Talyn Boyko and Hugo Ollas who were assigned earlier last week. 

Not much of a surprise however, I do find that these transactions speak volumes to the depth the Rangers all of a sudden have. As recently as two seasons ago, Jake Leschyshyn was claimed off of waivers to become a 14-15th forward option for this team. Between the immediate rise in Matt Rempe and Adam Edström’s stock and additional options such as Sam Carrick and B.O. Groulx, Leschyshyn went from being a top call up option to a guy who could very well be a bottom-six forward for a skillful Wolf Pack squad. 

Similarly, Ben Harpur was brought in to become a 7th/8th defense option in 2022 and did so well enough to earn himself a modest contract extension. Granted, a season ending injury last year derailed his 2023-24 campaign with Hartford; However, with the additions of Chad Ruhwedel, Casey Fitzgerald and Connor Mackey as well as the sudden rise of Victor Mancini, Harpur’s fallen in the Rangers depth charts substantially. Brandon Scanlin, who saw his NHL debut last season as well as Matthew Robertson have also seemingly surpassed him in the depth charts at this point as they remain in camp, looking to continue showcasing what they can offer to the organization. 

Alex Belzile, alongside Leschyshyn and Harpur have plenty of NHL and AHL experience under their belts, qualifying them as capable call-up options if need be. Perhaps the Rangers and/or Wolf Pack just wanted some veteran experience in the AHL camp. Or perhaps the Rangers are beginning to view them on more of an “only if necessary” basis seeing as they were sent to Hartford so much earlier than some of the younger players. More cuts could certainly be coming as the Rangers kick off the start of a back-to-back stretch tonight with the New Jersey Devils as we enter the final week of preseason.  

It appears both teams will be icing a younger roster with many of the Devils’ regulars on their way to Prague for their season opener abroad with the Buffalo Sabres. With the Rangers playing in a back-to-back stretch, it makes sense to try to limit the repeats in the two lineups as they will save the majority of the NHL guys for tomorrow night’s outing. 

While a good portion of the team's regulars are probable to take the ice in the second outing with New Jersey, it’s reasonable to assume they will save the majority of their starters for their preseason finale on Long Island Friday night. With that in mind, tonight could act as a “last call” for some of the younger players on the Rangers camp roster as they will likely make a great deal of cuts by Wednesday afternoon, if not sooner. Anyone who impresses tonight could earn a second look on Tuesday night, but it’s safe to assume the Rangers will be close to a final roster as they head into their dress rehearsal with the Islanders on Friday. 

However, with Jimmy Vesey being the latest to go down with an injury, the Rangers appear to be inviting some names back to camp with the latest roster update:

With both of them now listed as PTO’s, there’s a good chance they both take the ice tonight for what may essentially become a chance to preview the Wolf Pack’s upcoming season. For guys like Adam Edström, Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard and Victor Mancini, it’s a chance to earn their keep through the duration of camp with the Rangers, and potentially an opportunity to start the season in the NHL.