#roster-competition

#roster-competition

Live From the Blue Seats is back as Dave is joined by a returning Rob to discuss which Rangers prospects make the team. From Brennan Othmann to Scott Morrow, there are a number of prospects vying for spots, and not all of them have necessarily played their way into a role. There's also a good chance the Rangers send more kids back to Hartford to start the season as some of the other players (Juuso Parssinen) get extended looks.

The top line of Morgan Geekie, Elias Lindholm and Pastrnak remained the same, as did the fourth line of Mikey Eyssimont, Sean Kuraly and Mark Kastelic. The middle six was jumbled, with Pavel Zacha moving back to center between Viktor Arvidsson and Matej Blumel while Casey Mittelstadt dropped down to a third line with Tanner Jeannot and Matt Poitras, getting his first look of the preseason at wing. There was also a fifth line of Fraser Minten centering Alex Steeves and Marat Khusnutdinov.

Matthew Knies is no stranger to Olympic hockey but despite that, he will face some tough competition for a roster spot on Team USA's final team. But, he can bring something more than any one of his peers. All of the 44 players that Team USA decided to bring to their Olympic orientation camp were present and participating earlier this week, with both Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies seen together.

Jamison Battle deserves all the praise he can get. The Raptors took a chance on him as an older, undrafted prospect from the 2024 class, and when Toronto needed an offensive spark, Battle proved he was more than capable of knocking down the three. Battle finished his rookie campaign averaging solid stats: 7.1 points on 42.9% shooting, a stellar 40.5% from three, 88.9% from the free-throw line, and 2.7 rebounds.

The Atlanta Falcons completely revamped their safety position, bringing in two rookies and several veterans to create competition for starting roles alongside star Jessie Bates.