Rangers Rookies Focused Ahead of Preseason
Last season, Noah Laba demonstrated that a successful training camp can lead to rewarding opportunities.
This principle remains relevant as several rookie players gear up for their first practice of the 2026-27 preseason on Thursday.
Out of 16 hopefuls on the training camp roster, two players seem to have a more promising shot at making the team.
Goalie Dylan Garand and defenseman Alberts Smits are both vying for the few available spots in the Rangers lineup.
With Jonathan Quick’s retirement, the backup goalie position behind star Igor Shesterkin is up for grabs.
Garand, who ended last season with a solid 2-0-1 record in his first three NHL games, will compete with veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo for that role.
Korpisalo was brought in from Boston this summer, traded for Kalle Vaisanen and a 2028 fourth-round draft pick, to stimulate some friendly competition.
“I think [Garand] showed us late in the season last year that he’s very capable of making saves in this league,” said head coach Mike Sullivan. “His growth has given us more solid options in goal. Korpisalo is a proven NHL goalie with a track record that speaks for itself, particularly as a backup.”
“He’s done well wherever he has played. We believe that position is competitive right now. Ultimately, we want to cultivate strong internal competition at all levels.”
Regarding Smits, Sullivan pointed out that the 18-year-old’s experience in international men’s leagues has put him in a good position.
While acknowledging that Smits could potentially make the Opening Night roster, there’s an air of caution from the organization.
Chris Drury, the president and general manager, has also publicly indicated a commitment to doing what’s best for Smits’ development.
Since the Rangers selected him fifth overall in June, there has been some concern about labeling Smits as the most NHL-ready defenseman in the 2026 draft class and how that might impact him.
“We’re impressed with his game,” Sullivan remarked. “What’s crucial is to ensure we make the right decisions regarding his development in the short and long term.”
“We’ll see how he performs. Training camp will give us a better idea of where he fits.”
Sullivan also mentioned that Pavel Dorofeyev is versatile enough to play on both wings. They plan to experiment a bit with the 25-year-old Russian’s positioning as the season approaches.
“It will depend on what we think works best with our line combinations. We’ll try out different options to find the right balance for consistent wins, and set all players, including him, up for success. Expect to see him on both sides in the coming weeks.”
Cole Beaudoin is currently day-to-day, while Aidan Thompson is week-to-week due to undisclosed injuries.
The new CBA that took effect Wednesday has notably shortened the maximum contract length to seven years for players re-signing with their current teams, down from eight years, and six years for free agent signings from other teams.
Late Tuesday night, several teams secured young talents to maximum contracts, including the Capitals with Ryan Leonard (eight years, $84 million), the Sabres with Noah Ostlund (eight years, $52.8 million), and the Senators with Drake Batherson (eight years, $86 million).
When asked whether he planned to pursue maximum contracts for young players like Gabe Perreault, Drury opted not to disclose his approach.
“I’m not going to comment on contract negotiations publicly,” he stated. “All discussions with players or agents will remain private. We’re pleased with our roster and cap projections for this year and beyond. We look forward to seeing Gabe and other young players grow, take on more responsibilities, and have productive seasons with us.”
