The Rangers’ offseason was primarily dedicated to giving the bottom six a makeover.
In particular, the fourth line is expected to have a much different look than it did last season. What was once a revolving combination of Brett Howden (traded to the Golden Knights), Brendan Lemieux (traded to the Kings), Phil Di Giuseppe (signed with the Canucks as free agent), Kevin Rooney, Julien Gauthier and Vitali Kravtsov — with Morgan Barron making a five-game cameo as well — will likely now feature two new offseason additions to start.
Sammy Blais and Ryan Reaves have flanked Rooney throughout training camp, forging a high-energy line that can hit and forecheck. The Rangers acquired Blais from the Blues in the July 23 Pavel Buchnevich trade, while Reaves was shipped out from Vegas six days later and subsequently signed to a one-year extension to remain in New York through 2023.
“New faces for all three of us,” Blais said of skating with Rooney and Reaves. “We’re three big guys and I know we’re going to have to put some pucks deep and go to work, wear the [defense] down. I know if you do that, day in and day out, you’re going to give yourself a good chance to win.
“To win at the end, you don’t only have skill, you got to work hard and do all these little details.”
The Blueshirts got a harsh reminder of what the Islanders’ fourth line is capable of in their 4-0 preseason-opening loss at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, when Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas scored a goal each and combined for three assists even without Matt Martin, who is working his way back from ankle surgery. Ross Johnston took Martin’s place and chipped in a goal and an assist to credit that line with three of the Isles’ four goals.
It’s no secret that the Isles’ fourth line, commonly referred to as their Identity Line, is one of the best fourth lines in the NHL. In addition to the chemistry they’ve developed over the years, what makes that trio so effective is how they can set the tone of a game while also inspiring the rest of the lineup.
Last week, Reaves specifically pointed out what Clutterbuck and Martin do for the Islanders when describing what he plans to do for the Rangers.
Blais, who won a Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019, skated in just 119 games over four seasons in St. Louis after missing time with a broken wrist and broken ribs the last two years. But the 25-year-old winger said he’s ready for a bigger role with the Rangers.
“It was kind of a shock when I learned [I had been traded], but I’m really excited to be here and have a fresh start in New York,” said Blais, who posted a career-high 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) last season. “There’s a lot of good players here and we just want to come in here and try to bring a winning culture in. That’s what I’m going to do, try and play my hardest every game and play my game.”
After chipping in 14 points (eight goals, six assists) last season in a fourth-line center job with penalty-killing duties, Rooney was included in the Rangers’ protected list for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer after his two-year deal that carries a $750,000 cap hit expires.
Head coach Gerard Gallant said he likes the forechecking ability and physicality that unit brings, adding that he believes every team needs a line that can change the momentum of a game. Asked if he thinks Blais, Rooney and Reaves could step into that role for the Rangers, Gallant smiled.
“One hundred percent,” he said. “They better.”