"Even in today's practice, the Rangers have 5 forward lines that could feasibly be NHL lines to start the season. The answers on defense are pretty much set, and as long as the Rangers remain injury free, they have an opportunity to make October an extended look for the forwards. This means the Rangers could break camp with 15 forwards."
"The Rangers have the flexibility to carry 15 forwards at the start of the season because their defense questions are mostly answered. The only question was whether Scott Morrow would force the Rangers to keep him around. He hasn't been turning heads, but he's been fine enough and is probably an upgrade on Urho Vaakanainen in the long run. The question on Morrow is whether he's going to be good enough defensively,"
"Matthew Robertson and Connor Mackey, the only other defensemen in camp that may stick around after the Rangers make their next round of cuts, aren't it. Mackey we know is more of an 8D, but it's disappointing to see how far Robertson has fallen off since his draft year. Even second round picks are dart throws. If the Rangers go with 15 forwards to start the season, then Morrow will be sent to Hartford. But have no fear, he will be back soon enough."
Forward competition in training camp is intensifying with no clear bottom-six structure, and five forward lines looked NHL-ready in practice. Defense depth appears settled enough to allow carrying 15 forwards into the season, creating an opportunity for an extended look at forwards in October. Scott Morrow has shown adequate play but faces questions about his defensive readiness, making a Hartford assignment likely for further development. Matthew Robertson and Connor Mackey are unlikely defensive answers, with Mackey as an 8D and Robertson regressing since his draft year. Noah Laba has earned a longer look after outplaying other forward contenders.
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