After examining the New York Rangers’ organizational depth at forward in the leadup to 2023-24 training camp, which will begin Thursday, it’s time to turn our attention to the back end.
Here’s a detailed look at the Blueshirts’ defensemen and goalies, starting with the players who are expected to be regulars in the lineup and followed by those who are next in line in the event of injury or underperformance.
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Left-handed defensemen
NHL bound
1. K’Andre Miller
2. Ryan Lindgren
3. Erik Gustafsson
Next in line
4. Zac Jones
5. Ben Harpur
6. Connor Mackey
Analysis: This is easily the deeper side of the Rangers’ defense. The top three on the right are a stronger overall trio, led by last year’s Norris Trophy runner-up Adam Fox, but there are simply more lefties in the system right now.
Lindgren has been a top-pair guy for nearly four full seasons and certainly could have been listed at No. 1. He’s been a model of toughness and consistency, enabling Fox to comfortably push forward and take offensive chances.
But Miller’s overall usage – and unique talent – have him positioned to emerge as the true top lefty. He ranked second on the team to Fox last season with an average of 21:57 time on ice per game, while also finishing second among Rangers’ D-men with 43 points (nine goals and 34 assists). With a new two-year, $7.744 million contract in hand, the fourth-year pro seems poised to take another step toward reaching his high ceiling.
The third and final spot on the bottom pair will almost surely belong to Gustafsson, at least to start the season. His familiarity with new head coach Peter Laviolette gives him a leg up and his numbers last year in Washington − both traditional and advanced stats − show that the 31-year-old veteran has played some of his best hockey in this system.
Could Jones challenge him for a place in the lineup? Sure, but the expectation is that the 22-year-old (he’ll turn 23 on Oct. 18) will begin the season in a reserve role. He’ll undoubtedly make the roster, though, because there’s no chance the Rangers are going to expose one of their most valuable prospects to waivers.
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The other option is a trade, which shouldn’t be dismissed. Both Jones and fellow 2019 draftee Matthew Robertson could probably be had for the right price given the organizational depth on the left side.
That depth was bolstered by the offseason signings of Mackey, who appeared in 30 NHL games last season between Arizona and Calgary, and Nikolas Brouillard. We also know the Rangers are comfortable with Harpur in a seventh defensemen role, with Brandon Scanlin providing yet another option coming off a solid season with AHL Hartford.
Right-handed defensemen
NHL bound
1. Adam Fox
2. Jacob Trouba
3. Braden Schneider
Next in line
4. Mac Hollowell
5. Ty Emberson
6. Victor Mancini
Analysis: This is a top-heavy group, led by one of the best all-around defensemen in the game. Fox is among the most valuable players on the team, right up there with star goalie Igor Shesterkin and No. 1 center Mika Zibanejad.
Trouba has not risen to the on-ice level some anticipated when the Rangers acquired him from Winnipeg four years ago, but he’s become their most-feared physical presence and a culture-setter in the locker room. With one year as captain under his belt, the hope is that the pressure will subside and his game will benefit.
It’s been trial by fire for Schneider since his January 2022 arrival, with understandable ups and downs along the way. It would help to have a steady partner, which the Blueshirts are optimistic they found in Gustafsson, and they remain high on his potential as a rugged, reliable bottom-pair defenseman. There’s still plenty of room for growth for the former first-round pick.
After the top three, there are really only two legitimate right-handed depth pieces. Hollowell was an intriguing signing who’s been solid in the AHL and held his own in a brief NHL stint with the Maple Leafs last season, but injuries have limited his availability. When healthy, there could be a little upside there.
Meanwhile, Emberson emerged as the No. 1 righty on the Hartford D corps last season. The 23-year-old can move the puck and posted 27 points (seven goals and 20 assists) in 69 games, and he’s also made significant strides defensively.
There isn’t much after that. We listed Mancini because he’s the only other right-handed D prospect they have, but the 2022 fifth-round pick is entering his junior season at University of Nebraska-Omaha and remains unsigned.
Seth Barton and Zach Berzolla are minor-leaguers who were invited to camp to serve as depth, but if the Rangers had to go beyond the top five here, it would probably mean asking one of the lefties to switch sides.
Goalies
NHL bound
1. Igor Shesterkin
2. Jonathan Quick
Next in line
3. Louis Domingue
4. Dylan Garand
Analysis: It doesn’t get any simpler than this.
The Rangers will go as far as Shesterkin takes them. He’s their most important player and should make around 55-60 starts.
Quick was signed to provide a veteran backup who would inspire confidence in the event of an injury to Shesterkin. The 37-year-old is coming off a down year (16-15-6, .882 SV%, 3.41 GAA), but the Rangers were willing to take a low-cost bet on his championship pedigree.
The duo that will play for Hartford is set, as well. Domingue is an experienced veteran who would be the first call-up, if needed, while Garand has emerged as the top goalie prospect in the organization. He struggled for stretches during his first pro season but finished strong by posting a .935 save percentage in eight AHL playoff appearances. If the 21-year-old parlays that into an impressive Year 2, it could solidify his place as Shesterkin’s future backup.
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY Rangers training camp 2023: Defensemen, goalies depth charts
