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Leadership has been a hot topic for the Rangers.
Between new head coach Gerard Gallant’s assertion that a captain will be named on opening night, the continuing education of the team’s core and the focus over the last offseason on adding experienced players, the dynamics in the Rangers locker room are sure to see change.
“The most important thing has been the collective group of leaders that we’ve had, a healthy mix of young guys and veterans,” said Chris Kreider, who is certainly in the running to be captain as the longest-serving player of the season. team and costs to benefit from a seven-year extension. “You can’t just have the right guy wearing the ‘C’ and not have him surrounded by vets who are going to carry that message forward. I think as important as it is, I think having a group of leaders and a group of veterans is obviously very important.
Kreider cited the Blueshirts’ run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014 – when former captain Ryan Callahan was traded to the Lightning just before the playoffs – as the reason why a supporting group of leaders are arguably even bigger. important than a captain. The current Rangers, according to Kreider, already have it.
Mika Zibanejad, who is also an option to don the ‘C’ despite his ongoing contract negotiations, said he was trying to lead by example. He acknowledged that he might not be the type to stand in front of the group every time, but Zibanejad said he likes to take an individual approach.
“Especially after last year and the year before, the COVID year with the play-ins and everything, but still no playoffs for a number of years,” Zibanejad said. “You feel responsible as a person who has been playing in the league for a while now. “
The Rangers will honor the late Rod Gilbert in a number of ways throughout the 2021-22 season, starting with the home opener against the Stars on October 14.
Players are expected to wear white warm-up jerseys, traditionally worn in the 1960s and 1970s, with “Gilbert” and his retired No.7 on the back. Each jersey will be signed and auctioned to support the Garden of Dreams Foundation – a non-profit organization supported by Gilbert, who died in August at the age of 80.
Rangers jerseys will feature Gilbert’s # 7 crest throughout the season.
Additionally, the organization created the Rod Gilbert “Mr. Ranger,” which will be awarded annually to the player “who best honors Rod’s legacy by exemplifying leadership qualities on and off the ice, and bringing an important humanitarian contribution to its community.
This is the first time the Rangers have created an award since the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award and the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award.
Goalkeeper Keith Kinkaid was unable to attend Rangers’ first ice training camp due to an upper body injury. Austin Rueschhoff (lower body), Matthew Robertson (lower body) and Evan Vierling (upper body) were also dismissed.
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