The day before the New York Rangers will start training camp, General Manager Jeff Gorton and President John Davidson addressed the media to bring everyone up to date on the current status of the Blueshirts.
Among the information that was shared, Gorton revealed that all of the training camp participants are in New York, but it was also mentioned that Mika Zibanejad will not practice when the Rangers begin their on-ice sessions Monday and is day-to-day. Gorton also said forward Justin Richards and goalie Keith Kinkaid will also not be available Monday and are day-to-day.
Zibanejad led the Rangers with 41 goals last season, an NHL-career-high, and scored 75 points in 57 games to help New York advance to the Stanley Cup Qualifiers. He was second on the team in points behind forward Artemi Panarin.
Gorton also announced that Vitali Kravtsov will finish the KHL season in Russia. He mentioned that the Rangers have been impressed with how he’s playing and want him to continue on that path, with a plan to bring him back to the U.S. when the KHL season ends.
One of the situations that both Gorton and Davidson addressed is the temporary division that the Rangers will be playing in this season. Davidson referred to it as “a great division, a very tough division” and that playing in that division “will be a great experience for our players.”
Gorton was also asked about the possibility of K’Andre Miller making the team and stated that he believes that Miller has a great chance to make the team, and has been impressed with Miller’s commitment in the off-season to improve his skills. Gorton also mentioned that “they are excited to see him here with NHL players.”
Another interesting topic that brought up to Davidson was the news concerning Henrik Lundqvist’s heart condition, and what the Rangers knew about his heart during his days in New York. Davidson replied that he and the Rangers organization was “shocked” when he heard the news and that the organization will help him in any way they can, because “Hank is a Ranger, and will always be a Ranger.”