The Rangers wrapped up their six-game preseason slate with a loss the Bruins on Saturday afternoon.
They finished with a 2-3-1 record during those games.
The results don’t matter much, but with youngsters getting their chance to show what they can do and veterans competing for a spot, there are always some positives to take away from these exhibition contests.
Here are the four biggest standouts for the Blueshirts this time around…
Noah Laba
Laba was arguably the biggest riser for the Rangers this preseason.
The youngster came into camp as a long shot for a roster spot, but his impressive play put him square in the mix for the third-line center opening. He finished the preseason with a six points in as many games, the last of which was a power play goal on a deflected Adam Fox shot from the point during Saturday's preseason finale.
It remains to be seen whether or not Laba did enough to scratch his way into the lineup, but he certainly made an extremely compelling case.
“I feel like I’m ready,” Laba said early in camp. “Obviously, you’re never ready until it actually comes -- there’s always lessons to be learned, but I feel like I’m prepared and super excited to play with any amount of guys.”
Conor Sheary
After appearing in just five NHL games last season, Sheary just wanted to prove that he could still play at this level.
“I kind of have nothing to lose,” he said.
Tampa agreed to terminate the final year of his deal prior to free agency opening, so Sheary penciled the Rangers into the top of his list of destinations, and he ended up landing with them on a PTO.
The veteran took full advantage of that opportunity, producing three points in five games -- while also bringing the tough forechecking that head coach Mike Sullivan saw so often during their time together with the Penguins.
“He’s a guy who could potentially add those elements to our team,” Sullivan said during camp.
After entering coming in as a bit of an unknown, the Rangers seem likely to keep the 33-year-old winger around on a new contract, and it appears he’ll start the season on their third line. He'd bring a strong veteran presence with playoff experience to this locker room and some much-needed familiarity with Sullivan’s system.
Gabe Perreault
Perreault came into camp looking to earn himself a spot on the opening night roster after his brief cup of coffee in the NHL down the stretch last season.
The young winger ended up falling short in that attempt, as he was assigned back to Hartford late this week, but it certainly wasn’t because of his play. He looked confident and comfortable out there, finishing second on the team with four points (one goal, three assists) while skating big minutes in the top-six over five games.
Perreault left a strong impression on the new coaching staff, but they ultimately decided it would be best for him to continue his development down in the AHL for now.
One thing is for certain, though, Sullivan saw something in his game.
“He’s an NHL player in the making,” the head coach said.
Scott Morrow
Morrow was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes this offseason as part of the K’Andre Miller sign-and-trade, and thus far, the young CT-native has been able to make a positive first impression back home with the Blueshirts.
Morrow showed plenty of positives as a playmaker throughout the preseason, but he’s still working to gain the organization’s trust defensively. With no spot for him in the lineup currently, the staff would rather see him continue that development down in Hartford.
“It’s hard to get better when you’re on the sidelines,” Sullivan said.
“We’re thrilled he’s a Ranger -- he’s a big, strong kid. I think he skates well and has some offensive instincts. He has the ability to run a power play. He’s getting better defending, and that’s an area I’m fairly confident our coaching staff can help him with.”
If the Blueshirts’ new-look defensive core struggles to start the year and Morrow is able to take some steps forward in his own zone, perhaps we’ll see him receive his opportunity skating with the big club.