Victor Mancini joined the squad himself long before Ryan Lindgren was ruled out for the coming weeks.
The 6-foot-3, 229-pound defenseman was a pleasant surprise during the Rangers' training camp, asserting himself with the opportunities he was given and impressing head coach Peter Laviolette. He has had several opportunities to play in the main group.
Mancini, who will play in his second preseason exhibition game against the Bruins on Thursday, said he was happy with his performance so far, but the 22-year-old is trying to stay grounded. .
“I'm just worried about myself,” he said Thursday morning after participating in a quick game group optional skate. “I think this team is a really good team and we're getting ready to make the playoffs. I just want to go out there and give it my all. I'm a little worried about myself right now, so I'm going to go out there and do my best.” I want to enjoy the process and see what happens.”
Mancini is more of a dark horse on the defensive depth chart than a legitimate candidate to join the Rangers' roster coming out of training camp.
If he was left-handed, Lindgren, who is left-handed, would have a slightly better chance of being out.
But after getting his first taste of professional hockey with the American Hockey League's Hartford Wolfpack at the end of last season, Mancini turned heads this preseason.
“This is a two-way defenseman,” the Nebraska-Omaha product said of how he describes his game. “It starts in the defensive zone. I pride myself on shutting down plays and playing a tough, physical game. But being able to win the puck has helped me make my vision a strong part of my game. I feel that it occupies .
“So I can use my vision to beat the team, start attacking in the defensive zone, get the puck into the hands of the forwards and move it to the attacking side, join the second layer and find open areas. ”
Mancini, who was selected by the Rangers with the 159th overall pick in the 2022 draft, primarily plays on the right side, but has also played on the left side in the past.
Of course, he said he would play wherever the Rangers wanted him, but it's hard to imagine the Rangers expecting a rookie to make his NHL debut on an offside.
Mancini even got a chance to quarterback the Rangers' power play in Boston, but he didn't do that much in college. Five-on-five defense and the penalty kill are areas where Mancini typically excels.
“That's how reliable a player he is,” he said. “I feel like I can play in any situation, but where they want me to play and how they want me to play, that's what I'm going to do. A big part of my game is to play as hard as I can.” I feel like it’s about helping the team in a way.”
During offseason training at his home in Michigan, Mancini focused on his puck skills. He said he likes to play a lot of tight-area games where he can work on making quick decisions in tight areas with the puck.
Mancini is preparing for the game to become faster and faster.
He wanted to focus on getting his body in shape to play in more games than he has in the past.
That's what it means to move up.
