The Sports+ members who follow my Texts from the Blue Seats wanted a reprise of the coverage I did during development camp for the Rangers’ main training camp. In particular, I received multiple requests for Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov and Filip Chytil, but I also had some thoughts on K’Andre Miller, Adam Fox and Ryan Reaves.
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LW Alexis Lafreniere (No. 13)
- Let’s not forget, the 2020 first-overall pick was limited to a brief training camp and had zero preseason games to get ready for last season. We’re about to find out what a full preseason can do for him.
- Throughout training camp, Lafreniere has skated almost exclusively on his off-side on the right wing of the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, with whom it’s clear he’s beginning to develop real chemistry.
- The way Lafreniere sees the ice may be one of the most underrated parts of his game, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gasped at a pass and realized it came from the stick of No. 13.
RW Kaapo Kakko (No. 24)
- If anybody is in line for a bigger role this season, it’s Kakko. The right-wing spot on the second line next to Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome is the 2019 second-overall pick’s for the taking.
- Kakko has looked faster, stronger and more comfortable as training camp has unfolded.
- At the end of last season, I thought Kakko really understood what his role was on that second line. He started going to the net more and leaving the puck-handling to Panarin and Strome, which led to some goals for Kakko. With management stressing more defined roles this season, Kakko should be able to pick up where he left off.
RW Vitali Kravtsov (No. 74)
- Though he may have the talent to get a look in the top six, Kravtsov has started out on the third line alongside Chytil and Barclay Goodrow.
- The 21-year-old saw some time on the second line last season, but never quite stuck. His speed and scoring ability are undeniable, but his skill set may be too redundant in the top six.
- Kravtsov hasn’t done anything that jumped off the ice at me the past few days, but he has been able to make some pretty plays with Chytil that fans should be optimistic about.
C Filip Chytil (No. 72)
- It’s tough to gauge whether Chytil is a capable top-six center, considering he hasn’t gotten much of an opportunity in that role. With Ryan Strome’s impending free agency, it might be in the Rangers’ best interest to find out sooner rather than later.
- The 22-year-old was particularly impressive in the team scrimmage Saturday, when he was flying up and down the ice and making aggressive plays through the neutral zone. When he plays with oomph, which has come and gone through his past four seasons in New York, there’s few who can contain him.
- Chytil could do well on the third line next to Goodrow, who plays with an edge that can balance out No. 72’s finesse.
D K’Andre Miller (No. 79)
- Miller exudes a new maturity – and it may or may not be because of the new goatee he’s sporting.
- The 21-year-old is expected to remain in a second-pair role alongside Jacob Trouba, who said Saturday that he felt the two began to develop more chemistry as last season went on. Trouba also said he and Miller talked over the summer about what they want to accomplish together.
- Miller, who is entering his second NHL season, looks even more agile than he did last year.
D Adam Fox (No. 23)
- How do you follow up a Norris Trophy-winning season? Well, Fox just may be able to pull off an encore.
- The Rangers’ No. 1 defenseman continues to play with a rare poise that influences everybody on the ice. His ability to maneuver the puck through several players and transition up ice with ease is something I don’t think I’ll ever get used to.
- As expected, Fox and Ryan Lindgren have been a consistent pairing through training camp.
RW Ryan Reaves (No. 75)
- If you haven’t read my article about the swagger that Ryan Reaves will bring to this team, you should. I don’t think there has been a livelier personality in a Rangers sweater in a long time.
- On the ice, Reaves is a massive presence who isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body for the play or get his stick in the right place to frustrate his opponents.
- I mean, just look at what he can do in front of the net. Who wants to tangle with that?