The median height in the Rangers organization has increased significantly over the past few years.
As I looked around at the links at the MSG Training Center in Tarrytown over the past month, I couldn't help but notice.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Ben Harpur defenseman joined the Rangers as a PTO with the AHL Wolf Pack in 2022 and took over the Pack as the Rangers' No. 178 overall pick in 2023. 7 Dylan Rubruck.
Left winger Nathan Aspinall, all 6-6, streaked down the boards and fired a shot to 6-7 2021 fourth-round goaltender Taryn Boyko.
The Blueshirts may have found something in these vertically talented players.
Matt Rempe, 6-8 and 1/2, and Adam Edstrom, 6-7, are proof of that.
Both forwards have improved organically and are candidates to join the Rangers starting from training camp, with Lempe leading the charge as the mainstay of the group.
Edstrom, on the other hand, is making more noise with his performance in his rookie game and the last three exhibition games.
“I think they're a little different players,” head coach Peter Laviolette said at the start of training camp. “When you put them side by side, the first thing you notice is their size. They're both really big guys, so that's the first thing you compare them to. They both skate well. They're both physically fit. You can play the game. It's different, their physical game, it's a little different.
“I think the next step for both players, now that their rookie games are over or last season is over, is to go into training camp and get some summer training in training camp. We take part in opportunities to show what we're doing to make an impact, so that's what we're looking for.”
With the news that Jimmy Vesey will be out for several weeks with a lower-body injury, the chances of Edstrom leaving training camp have increased.
The 23-year-old, who played all but one of Rangers' 11 games last season on the fourth line, is one of the first on the depth chart.
Lempe, Johnny Brodzinski and Sam Carrick are also vying for a spot on the fourth unit.
Edstrom played against the Devils in Newark on Monday night, so the aforementioned three skated together in practice earlier in the day.
While we're operating under the assumption that Rempe will make the team, the fact that Edstrom is off waivers means he's more of an option for the Rangers to send to Hartford to start the season than, say, Brodzinski. is a safer option.
However, if Vesey or Ryan Lindgren (upper body) goes on injured reserve, they won't count toward the 23-man roster, making it a question of whether they can fit under the cap.
If either or both are placed on long-term injured reserve, the Rangers could exceed the $88 million salary cap limit.
In that case, not only would the player in question have to miss at least 10 games and 24 days during the season, but using LTIR means no cap space is generated.
The Rangers will likely want to avoid that to meet the trade deadline.
When asked how a player would benefit from playing time in the AHL compared to not playing as much but gaining day-to-day life experience as an NHLer, Laviolette said Sunday that especially at first, playing One season he said he thought there were benefits to playing.
If Edstrom starts the 2024-25 season with the Wolfpack, it's safe to assume he'll be one of the first recalled if the Rangers lose another forward.
He scored two goals heading into Monday night's contest and has been as productive this training camp.
“I'm proud of myself,” said Edstrom, who scored the game-winning goal in a 6-4 come-from-behind victory over the Islanders. “I feel like I was able to show a new level of hockey. I feel like I came into camp very well prepared.”
After scoring his first goal in his NHL debut on December 15, Edstrom was sent back to Hartford, where he was sidelined for nearly two months with an upper-body injury.
He then appeared in 10 games for Rangers from mid-February to early March, adding one more goal and strengthening the Rangers' forecheck.
Laviolette praised Edstrom for coming into camp in great shape, while highlighting his skating and combat weight.
When asked what he hopes to see from Edstrom to see if he can become a full-time NHLer, the second-year Rangers coach said he wants consistency from the Swede.
“I feel like I’m faster and more explosive overall,” Edstrom said. “I'm kind of growing in confidence now. I know I can play with a little more edge now.”
