Rangers' Adam Edstrom hoping to make team after getting taste of the NHL last season
Adam Edstrom of the Rangers practices during the team's first day of rookie camp at the MSG Training Center in Greenburgh, N.Y. on Wednesday. Credit: James Escher
GREENBURGH, N.Y. – At 6-7, Adam Edstrom is one of the tallest players in rookie camp for the Rangers this week, and at 234 pounds, he’s the heaviest. At 23 years, 11 months, he’s the second-oldest, and with 11 games played for the Rangers last season, he’s got the most NHL experience.
None of which, Edstrom believes, gives him a leg up on any of the other 24 players who reported Wednesday for rookie camp hoping to make the Rangers’ opening night roster.
“No, I wouldn't say so,’’ Edstrom said after the almost 90-minute on-ice session at the Rangers’ practice facility. “I mean, new season, clean sheet, you’ve got to earn your spot. And I'm going to do my best every day, and then we'll see how that's working.’’
A sixth-round draft pick in 2019, Edstrom made his NHL debut in a 5-1 home win over Anaheim last December after being called up from AHL Hartford during the day because forward Nick Bonino was suffering from flu-like symptoms and unable to play. The Karlstad, Sweden native scored a goal in his debut, then was sent back to Hartford when Bonino recovered. But he left an impression on Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, who liked his size and speed.
He was recalled in mid-February, and stayed up until after the Rangers acquired forwards Jack Roslovic and Alex Wennberg at the trade deadline. Edstrom played 11 games overall, scoring two goals.
Having played in the NHL, Edstrom admitted he is eager to try to make the team out of camp this year.
“Oh yeah, for sure,’’ he said.” I mean, you get a taste for it. You want to live that life every day.’’
With the forwards who will be coming to training camp next week, Edstrom looks to have a chance to compete for a fourth-line role, though it was notable that while he was at rookie camp this week, Matt Rempe, who made such a splash in his entry to the league last season, was not.
Othmann adds weight
One other forward who might have a chance to force his way onto the roster with a great training camp and preseason is 2021 first-round pick Brennan Othmann, who played at Hartford last season, but did get called up and played three games for the Rangers.
Othmann said one of his goals over the summer was to get bigger, and he was pleased to weigh in at 192 pounds, the heaviest he has been. Given his style of play, he needs the weight to work the corners, he said.
“I've always set little goals during the year, and in the offseason, so that was one that we were able to set and hit,’’ he said.
Back-to-back vs. Flyers rookies
The Rangers rookies will play two games against the Philadelphia Flyers rookies Friday and Saturday in Allentown, Pa., then be off on Sunday and Monday before wrapping up Tuesday.
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.
