As the 2026-27 NHL season draws nearer, training camps are commencing across the league. The New York Rangers stand out as one of the most intriguing teams heading into this campaign, having made significant roster moves in pursuit of a playoff return. While the majority of the opening-night roster seems likely, the line combinations remain very much undecided. Here are three key storylines to keep an eye on as camp gets underway.
What Will the Top-Six Forward Group Look Like?
The Rangers’ top six is set to look dramatically different from recent seasons. Players like Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck are gone, and while replacing their production won’t be simple, general manager Chris Drury has assembled a more compelling group this time around. He signed Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen as free agents on one-year deals and executed a major trade with the Vegas Golden Knights to bring in Pavel Dorofeyev. Combined with familiar names like J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad, the Rangers’ top forward group already looks more promising on paper than it did at the end of last season.
With Miller and Zibanejad anchoring the top two centers, the big question is who fills the four winger spots across those lines. Dorofeyev, Alexis Lafreniere, and Gabe Perreault are all but locked into three of those roles, meaning several players will be competing for a single remaining spot in the top six. Bjorkstrand, Tolvanen, and Will Cuylle are the most likely candidates vying for that position — but which one will earn it?
Who Earns the Sixth Spot on Defense?
Defense was an area where Drury sought the most improvement. Beyond Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov, the blue line was lackluster in every phase last season. Through three separate trades, Drury dealt away Will Borgen and brought in Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson to form a revamped second pairing behind Fox and Gavrikov. Along with Braden Schneider, these five are expected to be the defensemen the Rangers dress on opening night. The lingering question is who claims the sixth and final spot.
The only remaining defensive need is the left side of the third pair alongside Schneider. Matthew Robertson appears the most likely candidate for that role, but other prospects deserve attention, including Drew Fortescue and Alberts Šmits. Fortescue appeared in limited minutes at the end of last season and showed promise, while Šmits — the Rangers’ fifth-overall pick in June — looks poised for an NHL opportunity.
Will Any Younger Players Make an Impact?
One of the most entertaining aspects of training camp is identifying which young players rise to the occasion and punch a ticket to opening night. Last season, Noah Laba surprised many and became the Rangers’ third-line center for the bulk of the year. This year’s group of prospects eager to fight for a roster spot should make camp and preseason fascinating to follow. Names to watch include Adam Sykora, Jaroslav Chmelar, Liam Greentree, and Cole Beaudoin.
Sykora and Chmelar were part of the team down the stretch last season, bringing speed and energy that electrified the games they appeared in. Greentree and Beaudoin represent the Rangers’ two top forward prospects, acquired through the Panarin and Trocheck trades, respectively. While they are expected to begin the season in the American Hockey League, both will push hard for a spot on the NHL roster. Additional young talent at forward and defense will also be in the mix, but these are the names leading the charge.
This time of year always carries excitement for hockey fans — training camp signals that a new season is just around the corner. The Rangers are determined to put the struggles of the past two seasons behind them and build toward a younger, hopefully stronger, team. A return to the playoffs remains the goal, though the final makeup of the opening-night roster is far from decided.
