Rangers: Will Smith could have the chance to fill the void on the primary line

Desk in 2023-24: 55-23-4, first within the Metropolitan division

Finest striker: Artemi Panarin (49)
The very best traveller : Panarin (71)
Finest indicator: Panarin (120)

arrival

• Reilly Smith (A)
• Sam Carrick (A)

Smith, 33, was acquired in a commerce from the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1 for a contractual fifth-round choose within the 2025 draft and a second-round choose in 2027. He had 40 factors (13 targets, 27 assists) within the 76 video games final 12 months and will begin the season on the Rangers’ prime line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. It was Smith’s solely season with the Penguins after spending the final six with the Vegas Golden Knights, with whom he received the Stanley Cup in 2023.

Carrick, a 32-year-old veteran, signed a three-year contract on July 1. He had 16 factors (10 targets, six assists) in 77 video games with the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Geese final season, in addition to one help in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff video games for the Oilers.

Departure

• Barclay Goodrow (A)
• Erik Gustafsson (D)
• Alexander Wennberg (A)
• Jack Roslovic (A)
• Blake Wheeler (A)

The San Jose Sharks claimed Goodrow suspended claims on June 19 after he had 12 factors (4 targets, eight assists) in 80 video games final season and eight factors (six targets, two assists) in 16 playoff video games.

Gustafsson signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Crimson Wings on July 1. He recorded 31 factors (six targets, 25 assists) in 76 common season video games and three assists in 16 playoff video games.

Wennberg agreed to a two-year contract with the Sharks on July 1. Recorded 30 factors (10 targets, 20 assists) in 79 video games final season, together with 5 factors (one objective, 4 assists) after being acquired from the Seattle Kraken on March 6 . He had one objective and one help in 16 playoff video games.

Roslovic agreed to a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 4. He had 31 factors (9 targets, 22 assists) in 59 video games final 12 months, together with eight (three targets, 5 assists) in 19 video games after the Rangers acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 8. He additionally performed 16 video games within the playoffs and picked up eight factors (two targets, six assists).

Wheeler grew to become an unrestricted free agent after recording 21 factors (9 targets, 12 assists) in 54 video games earlier than a knee harm suffered in February sidelined him for the rest of the common season. The 37-year-old veteran returned to the sport for a playoff recreation, towards the Florida Panthers within the Jap Convention Remaining.

They’re knocking on the door

• Brennan Othmann (A)
• Brett Berard (A)
• Matthew Robertson (D)
• Adam Sykora (A)

Othmann, 21, was shut out in three video games with the Rangers final 12 months, however had 49 factors (21 targets, 28 assists) in 67 video games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. The sixteenth choose within the 2021 draft may very well be within the lineup within the first recreation of the season.

In his first skilled season, Berard completed third in scoring in Hartford with 48 factors (25 targets, 23 assists) in 71 video games. A fifth-round choose (134th) within the 2020 draft, the 21-year-old is anticipated to begin the season within the AHL, however might be part of the Rangers in the course of the season.

Robertson, a 23-year-old guard, recorded 21 factors (4 targets, 17 assists) in 68 video games with the Wolf Pack final season, his third within the AHL. Chosen within the second spherical (forty ninth) of the 2019 draft, he might make his NHL debut this season.

Skyora was one of many youngest gamers within the AHL final season at 19 years previous. However he did not look dangerous as he had 23 factors (eight targets, 15 assists) in 66 video games with Hartford. The second-round choose (63rd) within the 2022 draft additionally had a objective and an help in 5 video games for Slovakia on the 2024 World Youth Championship.

Necessities

The years go by and the identical for the Rangers, as they nonetheless have a gap on the proper aspect this 12 months. Smith ought to have an opportunity to shine early within the season with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, but when that does not work out, the staff may very well be seeking to exchange them. in any other case, as a result of internally, no participant has been in a position to fulfill this position. latest seasons.