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Rangers GM Chris Drury and HC Mike Sullivan spoke prior to training camp getting underway later this week…
One of the biggest questions for the Blueshirts next offseason is what they’ll do with Artemi Panarin.
Panarin’s deal is set to expire this summer, officially making him one of the top UFA's available on the market.
The 33-year-old All-Star is eligible for an extension, but it remains to be seen if New York will look to keep him past this season.
Drury didn’t want to get into specifics when asked about potential discussions, but he emphasized how important Panarin is for the club.
“He’s a huge piece for our team and our organization,” he said. “He does not appear to me to be slowing down at all. He takes the offseason serious, so he looks like he's in great shape right now and ready to go.
“As far as the contract stuff, I've also said on record, and as you know, I don't get into negotiations publicly. Any conversations I have with Artemi or his representation will stay that way, just private between me and him.”
Mika Zibanejad slid over to the right wing when J.T. Miller was acquired from the Canucks ahead of the deadline, and it appears he’ll kick things off there this year.
“Common sense would suggest that maybe we start there and see if that’s in the best interest for the group,” Sullivan said. “But there’s always going to be that conversation of, ‘Do we put Mika on the wing, or do we put Mika in the middle?’
“If we put him in the middle, we arguably have three of the best centers, the one, two, three down the middle with J.T., Mika and [Vincent Trocheck]. In my mind, that’s as good as it gets. The challenge is, do we have what it takes around them to create the balance we need and set them up for success?”
New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Madison Square Garden / Danny Wild - Imagn Images
Sullivan went to Sweden this offseason to meet with Zibanejad in person and start their relationship.
“I just felt it was important that I started to build relationships with the leadership to start with,” the head coach said. “I’m probably stating the obvious when I say Mika is a very important player to this team, he’s an elite talent.
“My hope in going to see him was to get to know him a little bit, give him a chance to get to know me. I could share some of my intentions going into this season as the head coach and how I was going to approach this opportunity we have in front of us.”
The Rangers need Zibanejad to return to his old All-Star form if they hope to get things turned around this year.
Braden Schneider appears to still be hampered a bit after undergoing surgery on a torn labrum he's played through each of the past two seasons.
The young defenseman will wear a non-contact jersey during practice as he's eased back into the mix, and he won't participate in the first few intrasquad scrimmages.
As long as there aren't any setbacks along the way, Schneider is expected to be able to work his way into two of the Rangers' final three preseason games.
That would set him up to be ready to roll for the beginning of the regular season.
Schneider prides himself on begin one of the teams more physical defensemen, but he did admit he was a bit hampered at times because of the shoulder issue.
Continue reading...
Panarin contract talks
One of the biggest questions for the Blueshirts next offseason is what they’ll do with Artemi Panarin.
Panarin’s deal is set to expire this summer, officially making him one of the top UFA's available on the market.
The 33-year-old All-Star is eligible for an extension, but it remains to be seen if New York will look to keep him past this season.
Drury didn’t want to get into specifics when asked about potential discussions, but he emphasized how important Panarin is for the club.
“He’s a huge piece for our team and our organization,” he said. “He does not appear to me to be slowing down at all. He takes the offseason serious, so he looks like he's in great shape right now and ready to go.
“As far as the contract stuff, I've also said on record, and as you know, I don't get into negotiations publicly. Any conversations I have with Artemi or his representation will stay that way, just private between me and him.”
Zibanejad to open camp at RW
Mika Zibanejad slid over to the right wing when J.T. Miller was acquired from the Canucks ahead of the deadline, and it appears he’ll kick things off there this year.
“Common sense would suggest that maybe we start there and see if that’s in the best interest for the group,” Sullivan said. “But there’s always going to be that conversation of, ‘Do we put Mika on the wing, or do we put Mika in the middle?’
“If we put him in the middle, we arguably have three of the best centers, the one, two, three down the middle with J.T., Mika and [Vincent Trocheck]. In my mind, that’s as good as it gets. The challenge is, do we have what it takes around them to create the balance we need and set them up for success?”
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New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Madison Square Garden / Danny Wild - Imagn Images
Sullivan went to Sweden this offseason to meet with Zibanejad in person and start their relationship.
“I just felt it was important that I started to build relationships with the leadership to start with,” the head coach said. “I’m probably stating the obvious when I say Mika is a very important player to this team, he’s an elite talent.
“My hope in going to see him was to get to know him a little bit, give him a chance to get to know me. I could share some of my intentions going into this season as the head coach and how I was going to approach this opportunity we have in front of us.”
The Rangers need Zibanejad to return to his old All-Star form if they hope to get things turned around this year.
Schneider limited in the early-going
Braden Schneider appears to still be hampered a bit after undergoing surgery on a torn labrum he's played through each of the past two seasons.
The young defenseman will wear a non-contact jersey during practice as he's eased back into the mix, and he won't participate in the first few intrasquad scrimmages.
As long as there aren't any setbacks along the way, Schneider is expected to be able to work his way into two of the Rangers' final three preseason games.
That would set him up to be ready to roll for the beginning of the regular season.
Schneider prides himself on begin one of the teams more physical defensemen, but he did admit he was a bit hampered at times because of the shoulder issue.
Continue reading...
