Jimmy Vesey, still in camp on tryout, gets a look on Rangers' top line against Bruins
Jimmy Vesey of the Rangers skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on September 26, 2022. Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
It had been assumed by many before the start of Rangers training camp that 20-year-old Alexis Lafrenière would likely serve as the right wing on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
But when camp began, coach Gerard Gallant had Lafrenière, the first overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft, back at left wing on the third line with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko. The Kid Line, as the three are called, had been the Rangers’ most dynamic line in the 2022 playoffs. That meant Gallant had to figure out who should play with Kreider and Zibanejad. Sammy Blais started with them for the intrasquad scrimmages and Kakko played with them in the first preseason game against the Islanders. Blais played with them in the third preseason game against the Devils and Barclay Goodrow took a turn in the spot for a couple of practices.
Wednesday night, in a game that saw the Rangers play the closest thing yet to their full lineup, Gallant plugged veteran Jimmy Vesey, in camp on a PTO (professional tryout) into the spot for preseason game No. 5, a 5-4 loss at Madison Square Garden against the Boston Bruins.
“It doesn’t necessarily change much,’’ Vesey said at the morning skate at the Rangers’ practice rink in Greenburgh, N.Y. “I think my game is pretty similar, regardless of the line I’m on. It’s about skating, hard work. Coach is probably trying to see different looks right now.’’
Vesey, who played for the Rangers from 2016-19, didn’t play on the same line extensively with either Zibanejad or Kreider then, but he said he has a “familiarity’’ with them.
Kreider was asked what it is that he and Zibanejad need from whoever is playing right wing for them.
“I think all the forwards need to . . . understand what we’re trying to do defensively, but at the same time know when the right time is to try and make a play [and] when the right time is to try to get the puck out and let us skate onto it,’’ he said. “It’s something we’ve talked about a lot with Jim.’’
Vesey, who entered Wednesday with a goal and two assists in three preseason games, is trying to make the roster as a bottom-six forward and penalty killer. He didn’t get an assist, but he had a part in helping create Zibanejad’s game-opening goal 27 seconds into the game. Vesey retrieved the puck in the high slot and dumped it into the corner for Jacob Trouba, who passed to Kreider, who passed to Zibanejad for the goal. If Vesey shows he has on-ice chemistry with Kreider and Zibanejad, and could play on that line, it would solve a lot of problems for Gallant, which would allow him to keep the Kid Line together.
“I like the Kid Line,’’ Gallant said. “They played well together. We want to give them an opportunity. We’re doing what’s best for our team, and if that’s what best for our team, that’s what we’ll try and go with.’’
Notes & quotes: Goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who was supposed to start and play the entire game, was a last-minute scratch after warmups with what the Rangers called “a stomach issue.’’ “He’s fine,’’ Gallant said after the game. “A little stomach flu. That’s it.’’ Backup Jaroslav Halak started in his place and made 21 saves on 26 shots . . . Zibanejad scored the first two goals for the Rangers and Kakko the last two. Jake DeBrusk, Pavel Zacha, David Krejci, David Pastrnak and Mike Reilly scored for the Bruins… Defenseman Ryan Lindgren (lower-body injury, day-to-day) did not practice with the non-game group.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
