3PM: The lines for tonight are projected to be (NYR):

• Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Mats Zuccarello
• Rick Nash, Filip Chytil, Pavel Buchnevich
• Gabriel Fontaine, Lias Andersson, Matt Puempel
• Paul Carey, Boo Nieves, Vinni Lettieri

Ryan McDonagh & Kevin Shattenkirk, Marc Staal & Tony DeAngelo, Brendan Smith & Steven Kampfer.

The Rangers have assigned Daniel Catenacci, Cole Schneider and Brandon Crawley to Hartford.

The Rangers have also released Scott Kosmachuk from his PTO and have also assigned him to Hartford.

The Rangers have 34 players left in camp, including 21 forwards, 10 defenders and 3 goalies.

• Forwards (21): Lias Andersson, Pavel Buchnevich, Paul Carey, Filip Chytil, David Desharnais, Andrew Desjardins, Bobby Farnham, Jesper Fast, Steven Fogarty, Gabriel Fontaine, Michael Grabner, Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, Vinni Lettieri, J.T. Miller, Rick Nash, Boo Nieves, Matt Puempel, Jimmy Vesey, Mika Zibanejad, Mats Zuccarello
• Defensemen (10): Tony DeAngelo, Ryan Graves, Nick Holden, Steven Kampfer, Ryan McDonagh, Neal Pionk, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brady Skjei, Brendan Smith, Marc Staal
• Goaltenders (3): Brandon Halverson, Henrik Lundqvist, Ondrej Pavelec

Alain Vigneault met with the media on Monday prior to the Rangers game against the Flyers (NYR):

• On Mika Zibanejad, "there is no doubt that if we gave Mika that long-term contract with the money that we did it's because we believe that he can be the player we expect him to be, a top performer every night. We have talked about his potential and ability and it has to be there. If we are going to have the success we think we can have as a team then we need guys to step up and assume a bigger role, we gave him the contract and we think he will assume a bigger role."
• On Zibanejad, "I would say that is a learning curve for a player, you learn every game, day, practice. We believe he has the capabilities right now to put it together. I've said a few times about different players, younger players, they gotta figure it out and in Mika's case he is the same way. We believe that with his experience and skill set that he has figured it out and is going to be one of our key guys this year."

1:12PM: When asked if Miller was still a center, Vigneault said "no. The thing with JT, his versatility, he can play left, right or middle, it's such a bonus. We wanted to give him a little bit more experience by starting him off of there but right now, in my mind, with the performance of some of our guys down the middle, Desharnais coming in and playing well and the kids coming in, JT is going to start on the wing. I do think that at some point you will see him in the middle, that has happened throughout his time with me but he will start on the wing."

12:26PM: Alain Vigneault said today that JT Miller will start this season as a winger and not as a center. (Zipay)

Vigneault said on the first day of training camp that Miller would start the season at center, something that Miller said he was open to doing.

Vinni Lettieri said that he came to camp with the intention of making the Rangers and that he has never set a "low bar" for himself.

Lettieri said that the only thing he can control is his attitude and work ethic and that his goal of making the team has not changed. (NY Post)

Alain Vigneault said last week that he likes Lettieri's skating, skill, versatility and is someone who is making the Rangers "look twice" about potentially making the team.

Alain Vigneault said that Rick Nash is one of the Rangers "best two-way players" and someone who puts the success of the team ahead of his personal successes.

Vigneault was asked if Nash scoring 23 goals last season was enough for the Rangers and said that in addition to the 23 goals he scored he was one of the Rangers "most effective players" at both ends of the ice.

He added, "I do expect a lot from him, he is one of our veteran players, one of our strong voices in the room, a great example. I expect a lot of him at both ends of the rink and I know that is what we are going to get."

Boo Nieves has played twice in the preseason for the Rangers so far:

• NYI: 1 assist, 13:37 per game, 1 shot attempt blocked, 2 faceoff wins, 5 faceoff losses (10:07 at even strength, 3:30 on PK)
• NJ: 15:25, 1 shot, 1 shot blocked, 3 shots that missed the net, 1 hit, 2 takeaways, 3 and 10 on faceoffs (10:18 at even strength, 11 seconds on PP and 4:56 on PK)

Alain Vigneault said that Nieves is in the mix for a spot and that he is "big, strong" and a good skater.

He said that the team is looking to fill a role with someone who, in addition to other traits, can kill penalties.

Alain Vigneault spoke after the Rangers loss to the Devils and said (NYR):

• On the Desjardin hit, "Their guy had his head down and was taking the puck to the net and Andrew was playing the man and his shoulder did hit the head and referees are told to call that. It's unfortunate, I just spoke to Andrew and it's not something he wanted to do but the guys is taking the puck to the net."
• How does it impact things for him, "we still have two more games and it's unfortunate but stuff like that happens and he will be ready for the next game."

The NHL announced last night that Andrew Desjardins will have a hearing on Monday for his illegal check to the head of Miles Wood last night. (Player Safety)

8:06 into the first period last night, Desjardins was given a match penalty after his hit on Wood.

Wood said after the game that it was a "dirty" hit. (Gross)

Drew Stafford scored the game-winning goal in the third quarter to lead the Devils to a 2-1 win over the Rangers on Saturday at the Prudential Center. >> Read more

First Period 

• No goals 

Second Period

Alain Vigneault met with the media earlier today and said the following (NYR):

• On last night, "the game itself, watching it and discussing it with my coaches, Gorts and Chris, we have a pretty good feel after three games of where certain guys are. They have 3 more, 1 tonight against Jersey and then our guys will get a well deserved day off, they have been working hard and we've played 4 games in a short amount of time. The last two games will be important, important decisions to make up front and on D, who plays with who and on what line. Picture is getting a little clearer but still some decisions to be made."
• On Chytil, "because of the injury I think he overcompensated in another area and the training staff felt it was a good idea to give him today and combined with tomorrow, he will skate on Monday and should be good to go."
• On the cuts, "we are definitely going to let a few guys go today, a little later on in the afternoon and that should bring us to a number that will bring us above 30 and permit us to play the last two games and after the last one we can get down to 23-24-25 with Quickie."

The Rangers have announced that the following players are being sent to Hartford

• Forwards: Ryan Gropp, Malte Stromwall, Adam Tambellini
• Defensemen: Alexei Bereglazov, John Gilmour, Vince Pedrie
• Goaltenders: Alexandar Georgiev, Chris Nell

The Rangers have 38 players remaining in training camp.

While talking about Chris Kreider at the start of training camp, Alain Vigneault said that it's his job as a coach to get Kreider to play the way he did in the third period against Ottawa in Game 6.

Vigneault said that Kreider has improved and become a "real important player" on the Rangers and said he was a "beast, maybe the best player on the ice" in that third period of Game 6 against Ottawa.

He added that Kreider is "not a kid anymore, it's his turn now and he has to become a real good voice in our room, a great example fitness wise off the ice. We expect more from him and I know we are going to get it."

Alain Vigneault met with the media on Friday following the Rangers loss in Bridgeport (NYR):

• On the pace, "I thought that we got better as the game went on. After the first period we carried the play in the second and third, we had some real good looks offensively and I liked a lot of parts about our game, it was a great crowd, guys worked hard on both teams and we came up a little short."
• On limiting penalties, "we've practiced it the last couple of days and we had a linesmen and a ref come in before the game and explain to the whole team about the faceoff and slashing penalties. I thought both teams, they probably did the same thing that we did and it made it for more 5 on 5 time and I think it was a pretty good game."
• Did players stand out, "for the most part I thought that our younger players, from Filip to Vinni, I don't want to start naming names, there is some good skill on the ice, some good offensive looks. Maybe not enough net presence but for the most part there were a lot of good things. "

9/23/17| 7:09PM: The lines for the Rangers tonight (NYR):

• Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Mats Zuccarello
• Michael Grabner - Lias Andersson - Rick Nash
• Daniel Catenacci - Boo Nieves - Scott Kosmachuk
• Cole Schneider - Andrew Desjardins - Gabriel Fontaine

McDonagh & Shattenkirk, Staal and Smith, Brandon Crawley & Holden.

8:50AM: The Rangers have announced the projected lineup for tonight's game in New Jersey:

• Forward: Chris Kreider, Boo Nieves, Andrew Desjardins, Cole Schneider, Mats Zuccarello, Michael Grabner, Daniel Catenacci, Lias Andersson, Gabriel Fontaine, Rick Nash, Mika Zibanejad, Scott Kosmachuk
• Defense: Marc Staal, Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan McDonagh, Brendan Smith, Nick Holden, Brandon Crawley
• Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist, Brandon Halverson

First Period:

Second Period:

• Casey Bailey Assists: Anthony Beauvillier, Mitchell Vande Sompel
• Vinni Lettieri (Power Play) Assists: Filip Chytil, Pavel Buchnevich
• Anthony Beauvillier Assists: Nikolay Kulemin

Third Period:

9/22/17 | The projected lines for tonight include (NYR)

• Jimmy Vesey - Kevin Hayes (A) - Malte Stromwall
• JT Miller (A) - Filip Chytil - Pavel Buchnevich
• Adam Tambellini - David Desharnais - Matt Puempel
• Bobby Farnham - Vinni Lettieri - Paul Carey

Brady Skjei (A) & Tony DeAngelo, Ryan Graves & Neal Pionk, Alexei Bereglazov & Steven Kampfer.

Ondrej Pavelec and Chris Nell will split the game.

Mika Zibanejad, after being sick and not playing in the Rangers first three preseason games, will play tomorrow against the Devils. (NYR)

Zibanejad said, "the whole week before camp I was in bed and sweating and shaking. Back on my feet now and getting some skates in and getting back into it and it feels good to get back into it tomorrow." (NYR)

Alain Vigneault said of Zibanejad on Friday:

• On his being sick, "it is what it is, we pushed him. He was sick, had to restrain the first couple of days in off-ice workouts but we have been pushing him harder the last little while. Says that his legs feel good and he is ready to go so he will play tomorrow."
• On expectations, "since he hasn't played I haven't spent a lot of time talking to him or feeling him out, my understanding, because I think there was something in the paper that as far as expectations, they are higher on him. He understands the pressure and accountability. We expect a lot from him, no doubt. The organization went out and gave him a 5-year deal. We are showing him confidence and in return we expect performance and results from his end. Very confident that with the right attitude and work ethic and dedication he can live up to our expectations and his expectations as well."

Alain Vigneault met with the media on Friday before heading to Bridgeport for tonight's game and said (NYR):

• On Bereglazov, "we had some real good reports from our Euro pro scouting personnel, that is why we signed him. Steady defenseman, we were told that he knows when to jump into the attack and was real solid defender. He came over here and was okay in Traverse City and in my estimation he's been getting better every day. He has to get used to the new ice surface. Traverse City was a learning curve for him and since he has gotten here, every practice has been a little bit better for him. That is why we waited to play the first two games before throwing him in. He got some practice time, he got some game time in Traverse City and should be good to go."

The Rangers have announced that defensemen Sean Day, Sergey Zborovskiy and forward Dawson Leedahl to Hartford.

The Rangers have 46 players remaining in camp.

All three players skated for the Rangers during the Traverse City tournament.

In the time between their last preseason and game and the start of the regular season, the Rangers will head up to Lake Placid for a few days of skating and team building.

As part of the trip to Lake Placid the Rangers will have a guest speaker Ed Viesturs address the team. 

Viesturs has previously spoken to Alain Vigneault's Vancouver teams, including when Vancouver went to the Stanley Cup Final in 2011.

Brendan Smith said that he thinks he can "flourish" in Alain Vigneault's system and said that many factors came into play regarding his decision to re-sign with the Rangers. (NYR)

Smith said that despite it being his first camp with the Rangers he feels he has been with the organization for a long time. (NYR)

He added, "we have a good leadership group, Staal is great, Nasher, I think Mac is one of the best captains in the league. Everyone can be a leader and guys know that I am vocal and I have their back and am there for them."

Alain Vigneault said that Smith is "vocal" and shares a lot of his "inner feelings with his teammates," something that Vigneault said is good and helps keep everyone accountable.

Kevin Shattenkirk had 3 assists and 2 PP assists in his Rangers preseason debut.

Shattenkirk was a +1, played 25:06, had 1 shot on goal, 2 shot attempts blocked, 1 that missed the net, 2 hits, 5 giveaways and 2 takeaways.

He played 14:11 at even strength, 9:37 on the PP and 1:16 on the PK:

Alain Vigneault met with the media on Thursday and said (NYR):

• On Lias and Filip, "there is no doubt that our scouts picked some young players with a tremendous amount of upside. Both of those players at our camp have had some very good moments, both show a good skill set, strong will, seem to be very coachable and seem to be having fun. For us, I think every time they get on the ice they are looking to get better and that is what you are looking for with all of your players."
• Does it seem like they are just teenagers, "the theme of the slogan that talent has no age, they have been working on their skill level for quite some time. Filip has only played one game but Lias has played two and had some very good moments on the ice. We got four more games here and they will get opportunities to play and we will see what they do."
• On where Filip and JT will play, "I kept him at center and moved JT to the wing. JT, I know he can play all positions and play them all well. We know about his versatility, I need to find a bit more about Filip so I am going to keep him in the middle."
• Who will Filip play with, "JT and Buchnevich."

Last night for the Rangers, David Desharnais scored a PP goal and played 18:54.

He had 3 shot attempts (1 on goal, 1 that missed, 1 that was blocked) and was 8 and 7 on faceoffs.

He played 10:03 at even strength and 8:51 on the PP:

In his preseason debut for the Rangers last night, Filip Chytil skated between Mats Zuccarello and Chris Kreider and scored the OT winner.

Chytil was a +2, played 18:52, had 3 shots on goal, 1 shot that missed the net and was 5 and 4 on faceoffs.

He played 9:56 at even strength, 8:56 on the PP and:

Alain Vigneault met with the media following the Rangers OT win over the Devils and said (NYR & NYR Game Notes)

• On Lias Andersson's game…"Last game I used him on the power play and today I wanted to get a sense of his understanding on the penalty killing. We're obviously trying to develop our young players but also trying to get an idea of where their game sense is. We haven't had a lot of time to practice specialty teams, we're doing a lot of video right now. We're trying to see how quick some of them can pick up. I thought for the most part he did all right."
• On the penalties impacting the ability to evaluate 5-on-5 game…"It does. A lot less 5-on-5 time right now. Usually most of the game is 5-on-5, on the positive side is we're getting a chance to work on our specialty teams, our power play, and our penalty killing. Guys are getting looks and opportunities. The rules are there, the players have been told, we showed them the video, and the quicker they pick up, the better we're going to be off as a team. The NHL wants to abide by those rules now."

Filip Chytil scored the game winning goal for the Rangers, see it below.

Chytil said after the game (NYR Game Notes):

• On scoring the game-winning goal…"It was an amazing feeling to score a goal in overtime. My first goal was a winning goal, and it was a great pass from Mats Zuccarello. It was an amazing feeling. I'm glad that we won."
•  On the pace of the game…"I felt great. It was my first game after four weeks (off). It was a great game. I played with great players, some of the best players in the league so I enjoyed every moment on the ice. It was really exciting."
•  On playing more games going forward…"I will see next game if I will play. I'm really happy I played my first game in Madison Square Garden and I will see what (will happen) in the next days. I am looking forward to the next day and next practice."

With four seconds left in overtime, Filip Chytil scored to give the Rangers a 4-3 win over the Devils on Wednesday night. >> Read more

First Period 

• 15:54 NYR: Kevin Hayes (Power Play); Assists: Jimmy Vesey, Kevin Shattenkirk

Second Period

• 4:11 NJD: Pavel Zacha; Assists: Drew Stafford, Miles Wood
• 4:32 NYR: Chris Kreider; Assist: Mats Zuccarello
• 7:15 NJD: Brian Gibbons (Power Play); Assists: Drew Stafford, Jimmy Hayes
• 10:16 NYR: David Desharnais; Assists: Kevin Shattenkirk, Chris Kreider

Alain Vigneault met with the media on Wednesday prior to tonight's game against the Devils and said (NYR):

• On Chytil, "to show his skill. We haven't had the opportunity to see him because of his injury and he has only had a couple of practices. So far in practice we have seen a highly skilled, really good skater. He will get the opportunity, his first NHL game and he will remember that for the rest of his life."
• On Desharnais, "so far it's just been practice but it's been what I expect from a veteran player coming from another team. He is trying to learn the system, understand the little differences that we have from where he has played before. A couple of years ago he was a 50 point player, he sees our middle and the opportunity he has. I think he is excited about that and tonight he will get a first chance to play an exhibition game and hopefully he will be good."
• On versatility, "being able to play more than one position in the NHL is a big bonus and I would say that it's a must. You need to be able to play the wing and if you are a center you have to be able to play sides and contribute. Right now we are trying to sort out our things, it's only our second exhibition game. We are giving a few kids an opportunity and that is what we will do in the next couple of games also."

The Rangers have anonunced that the projected lines for tonight's game against the Devils are (NYR):

• Chris Kreider, Filip Chytil, Mats Zuccarello
• Jimmy Vesey, Kevin Hayes, Ryan Gropp
• Matt Puempel, David Desharnais, Daniel Catenacci
• Andrew Desjardins, Lias Andersson, Adam Tambellini

Brady Skjei & Kevin Shattenkirk, Marc Staal & John Gilmour, Vince Pedrie & Brendan Smith.

Henrik Lundqvist & Alexandar Georgiev.

Filip Chytil will make his preseason debut for the Rangers tonight and is expected to skate between Jimmy Vesey and Adam Tambellini.

Chytil is now expected to skate between Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello. (NYR)

Chytil said that he is a "long way" from making the team, said that he will work hard and "I want to be part of the team as soon as possible." (NYR, NY Post, Newsday)

Kevin Shattenkirk will make his Rangers preseason debut on Wednesday against the Devils.

Alain Vigneault has spoken about Shattenkirk many times since the start of training camp and said on Tuesday that he is going to have a "major role" on the team.

He said that playing against top players will be a good challenge for Shattenkirk and that "I am sure that he wants and will live up to."

Anthony DeAngelo played 21:01 last night against the Islanders and had 4 shots on goal, 1 shot attempt blocked, 1 shot attempt missed, 2 giveaways, 1 takeaway and 1 blocked shot.

DeAngelo was called for unsportsmanlike conduct in the third period last night.

He played:

Alain Vigneault met with the media on Tuesday after practice and said the following (NYR):

• What do you want to see from Shattenkirk, "same thing we have been talking about since we signed Kevin on the first of July. Not only that puck moving ability at 5 on 5 and on the PP but he is going to have a major role on our team and part of being a successful team is having players that play hard with and without the puck. As much as brought him in for his offensive abilities, we need him to defend well and show the right reads when he doesn't have the puck because he will be playing important minutes for us and important minutes are against the best players in the league. It's a good challenge for him and one that I am sure that he wants and will live up to."

Last night the Rangers were called for 9 penalties, slashing (2), hooking, holding (2), cross checking, unsportsmanlike conduct, face-off violation and hi-sticking.

The Islanders were called for 9 penalties, 7 of which were slashing calls.

Alain Vigneault said before the game that the organization received an email earlier on Monday with a video explaining that they are looking to call more slashing penalties. (NYR Game Notes)

He added, "the faceoff situation is also going to be real stricter. Those are the rules and we know what they are. It's like with everything else, you have to adjust. They are definitely calling the slashing and want to take it out of the game." (NYR Game Notes)

Robin Kovacs, Adam Chapie, Brenden Kotyk, Tim Gettinger and Ty Ronning have all been reassigned from Rangers training camp.

Kovacs, Chapie and Kotyk have all been sent to Hartford.

Gettinger (Soo St. Marie) and Ronning (Vancouver) have been loaned back to their junior teams.

The Rangers have 49 players remaining in training camp and Alain Vigneault said recently that he wants to keep two groups of players through most of camp.

Against the Islanders last night, Lias Andersson assisted on the game winning goal, played 16:10, was called for a cross checking penalty and had 1 shot on goal.

Andersson was credited with 2 hits and was 7 and 4 on faceoffs, seeing 10:54 at even strength, 5:16 on the PP and 44 seconds on the PK.

Andersson played:

Alain Vigneault met with the media on Monday night following the Rangers OT win over the Islanders and said (NYR Game Notes, NYR):

• On the game winning goal…"There's no doubt it was a really good move against an experienced player. I think Neal played a good game today, he got that goal. He was good in his decision making with the puck and played a real strong game."
• On the penalties being called…"We received an email with a short video today on exactly that. They're going to be looking for slashing and making those calls. The faceoff situation is also going to be real stricter. Those are the rules and we know what they are. It's like with everything else, you have to adjust. They are definitely calling the slashing and want to take it out of the game."

Neal Pionk scored the OT winner for the Rangers in tonight's game against the Islanders.

To see the video, click below.

Pionk spoke after the game and said (NYR Game Notes):

Neal Pionk scored in overtime to lead the New York Rangers to a 1-0 win over the New York Islanders on Monday at Madison Square Garden. >> Read more

9/17/18 | The Rangers have announced that the following players will play tomorrow against the Islanders in the Rangers preseason opener:

• Forward: JT Miller, Bobby Farnham, Boo Nieves, Andrew Desjardins, Paul Carey, Cole Schneider, Michael Grabner, Lias Andersson, Gabriel Fontaine, Rick Nash, Pavel Buchnevich, Vinni Lettieri
• Defense: Ryan McDonagh, Neal Pionk, Steve Kampfer, Nick Holden, Ryan Graves, Anthony DeAngelo
• Goalie: Ondrej Pavelec, Brandon Halverson

3:35PM: Alain Vigneault said on Monday that he really likes Andersson's skill set and how he interacts, and asks questions, of his teamamtes.

He likened it to when the Rangers acquired Marty St. Louis and how Mats Zuccarello would follow him and ask him questions about what he was doing.

Vigneault said "I see the same type of personality as far as asking questions. I hear that in his teams back home he had been a captain and leader. I believe that in Lias' case we have real good personality and a real good person."

On Chytil, Vigneault said "Filip doesn't know the language as well and he is just coming back from injury but what I saw him yesterday skating wise was real good."

Alain Vigneault met with the media on Monday morning before tonight's game against the Islanders (NYR):

• Will some guys play on Wednesday, "right now we have a tentative lineup for Wednesday and there are a couple of guys playing both games. See how they do tonight and go from there."
• On what he wants to see tonight, "you want your guys to show you what they can do, if they can play at this level and compete and contribute and help the team win. We have quite a few young players getting and opportunity tonight. I know they are excited and we are excited to see where they are and if they do fit in the puzzle. When we had orientation I told the players that they were going to make the decisions for us with how they play. Guys play well and deserve to be here they will be here, if guys don't prove they can play at this level they won't be here. They will make the decisions for us by how they perform on the ice."
• On DeAngelo, "for the last 3 days I have been getting a closer look, I remembered him and watched some tape of him of his time in Phoenix. I talked with Tippet, who I have known for a long time, and Newell Brown ran their PP and they all said the same thing, young player, lots of tools, lots of skills, sees the ice well. He has a bit of experience. Tonight will be his first game with the Rangers and he will probably be a little nervous but I have seen some real good things as far as his decision making with the puck in the time we have been on the ice and hopefully he will bring that tonight."

Ondrej Pavelec will play for the Rangers tonight in their preseason opener against the Islanders.

Pavelec spoke yesterday and said that it has been "great" working with Benoit Allaire for close for two weeks and that Allaire "knows what he is doing." (NYR)

He said that he hasn't been told he will play a set number of games but said that even if it's 10-15-20 or more he jut wants to be "ready" when he has the chance to play. (NYR)

9/17/17 | 4:57PM: Vesey spoke with the media and said (NYR):

• "I'm stronger and I think a little bit bigger and excited for the year."
• "Consistency, I think I showed some flashes last year where I played well for a stretch and I want to do that every night even if it's not scoring goals it's being accountable in my own zone and someone that coach can put out in any situation."

8:40AM: Jimmy Vesey said that he is hoping that his play in the playoffs last spring will help carry over into his second season. (NYR)

Alain Vigneault said that he thinks Vesey is a "gamer" and that he took the pressure of the playoffs "head on" last season.

Alain Vigneault met with the media on Sunday and said the following (NYR):

• On tomorrow, "exact same lines, except for the PP, but what you saw is what you will see tomorrow. Good opportunity for us to see some of our younger players and for our veterans it's an opportunity for them to get where they want to be before Game 1."
• On Andersson and Chytil, "both of our first round picks. Today was the first day that I saw Chytil. Very impressed with both young players. Andersson has a lot of drive, good set of hands, made some good plays working on the PP. Filip, he skated yesterday with Group C, today is the first day he is officially back practicing since his injuries and he looked big and smooth and strong on the ice. Very impressed with his skating ability. Hopefully he reacts well to his first practice and in the next couple of days we can get him also into a game."

Alain Vigneault said on Saturday that he and Ryan McDonagh have discussed but have not yet decided on whether they will go back to four alternate captains.

Currently Rick Nash and Marc Staal are alternate captains but last season the Rangers also had Derek Stepan and Dan Girardi as alternate captains.

Vigneault said that he and McDonagh have talked about letting training camp and the preseason play out before they decide which route to take.

Alain Vigneault met with the media on Saturday and said (NYR):

• "right now one of the first things we said in orientation is that this is our time in training camp to build the foundation to have a successful season. Building that foundation is getting on the same page as far as systems, being one of the best conditioned teams in the league. We got our results and a few guys have some areas to work on, 20 something days to work on it. As a team, you work on coming together, understanding your role and contribution. Today was a very important day as far as teaching, D-zone coverage, different responsibilities in D-zone coverage from 1 on 1 to when we go 5 on 5. It was our first day and I thought it went extremely well."