Something happens when promising NHL players make their debut in the league they've spent their whole lives striving for.
Just ask Rangers rookies Adam Edstrom and Brennan Osman, both of whom played their first varsity games last season.
Living the life of an NHL player, even if for Osman it's for less than a week, is living the dream players always imagine.
That will be a unique driving force for Edstrom and Osman as they move through rookie camp and prepare for main camp.
“You get a taste of it, and you want to live that life every day,” Edstrom said. “I've worked hard and I feel like I'm ready.”
Of the two, Edstrom likely has a clearer path to making the opening day roster than Osman.
The 6-foot-7 Swede appeared in 11 games last season, including 10 games from mid-February to early March.
Not only did Edstrom score two goals, but he also brought size and forechecking to the Rangers' bottom six.
If not for an upper-body injury he suffered upon returning to AHL Hartford after his Dec. 15 debut and the emergence of Matt Rempe, Edstrom likely would have played more NHL games.
Osman appeared in three games for the Blueshirts last season, playing on the third line with Nick Bonino and Johnny Brodzinski while Tyler Pitlik was week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
It wasn't a memorable stint for Osman, considering he finished with zero points, but it still made an impact for the 21-year-old winger.
“I think I know I can do it,” Osman said of how those three cameos will impact him going forward. “I think it's just knowing I can play at that level and pace, I can play with that ability, playing with the guys that are there. I'm OK.”
“The first few games, the first few shifts, I was kind of blown away by the guys I'm playing with and against at MSG. I'm just excited to be back and looking forward to getting started.”
This will be Osman's fourth rookie camp and Edstrom's third.
There are plenty of other veteran players in the organization who are in the same situation, but the aforementioned two are the closest to making the Rangers roster.
This has created an opportunity for someone like Osman, who was captain of the OHL's Flint Firebirds and part of the Peterborough Petes leadership group, to step up in a leadership role.
“I think I took on that role at development camp,” Osman said. “I think it's a big role to take on and I'm excited to take on that role. I've been able to be a leader in juniors. … It's fun being a leader. I like helping guys out and asking questions about the facilities.”
Osman sets new goals every year, with a particular focus on gaining weight during the offseason.
Osman began rookie camp weighing in at 192 pounds, describing himself as a “corner weight,” necessary for his style of play.
Edstrom returned to his native Sweden this offseason to train.
Edstrom said he wants to compete a little bigger than he did last year and is focused on getting bigger and stronger without losing his explosiveness.
“It's been a childhood dream to play in the NHL,” Edstrom said. “Just being able to play in front of a packed MSG was a special feeling. I really want to go back, so I'm excited.”
The Post confirmed the Rangers have extended PTOs to defenceman Madison Bowie and winger Adam Erne.
Bowie, 29, played last season in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League.
His last NHL game was with the Canucks during the 2021-22 season.
Arne comes into Rangers training camp with 379 games of NHL experience.
The Connecticut native spent part of last season with the Oilers, recording one goal and one assist in 24 games.
