Rangers struggle to fill void at centre
KITCHENER — The Kitchener Rangers are looking for a middle man.
The departure of captain Ryan MacInnis and Swedish import Gustaf Franzen have left a void at centre for the upcoming season.
“We definitely have some holes,” said coach Jay McKee. “As a staff it’s our job to figure it out.” And it’s a challenge. MacInnis had 81 points and tied for the team lead in scoring last season with Adam Mascherin as the prime pivot on the top line.
The Arizona Coyotes draft pick has since moved on to the professional ranks and is expected to begin the season with the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in Tucson.
Franzen was a durable defensive minded centre and a fixture on the second unit which gave the Rangers a nice one-two punch. The 19-year-old also turned pro and returned home to play for Orebro in the Swedish Hockey League.
“There is no Ryan MacInnis this year and no one who is going to fill his role like he did,” said McKee. “Gustaf was phenomenal at what he did. We don’t have one (player) exactly like him.” But the Rangers do have options. Mason Kohn — entering his fourth season — took reps at centre last season, albeit often on a lower threesome. Same goes for fourth liner Jacob Cascagnette.
Both veterans are early candidates for the four jobs up for grabs.
Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Connor Bunnaman mostly played wing for the Rangers but was drafted out of Guelph as a centre. Newcomers Cedric Schiemenz, Dylan Seitz, Greg Meireles and Riley Damiani also fed flankers on the ice in the past.
“Of course it’s a concern,” said general manager Murray Hiebert.
“There is not a lot of experience down the middle.”
The good news is that the Rangers have time to figure it out. Players are already in town for informal gatherings while training camp officially kicks off Wednesday.
McKee believes in line chemistry and is looking for specific qualities from his centres. “You have to be smart,” he said. “You have to have a defensive mindset. You’re almost like a third defenceman at times.
“As a winger you’re kind of just watching the play for a long time until it gets to your area. As a centreman, you have to be looking over your shoulder for picks and for guys moving around and jumping by you.”
MAGYAR ON THE MOVE: Overage forward Nick Magyar will not be back with the Rangers. The 20-year-old, who could return, decided to pursue his post-secondary school options. The Mentor, Ohio, native spent three seasons with the Rangers and led the team in scoring as a rookie with 46 points in 66 games in 2013-14. Magyar was very active in the community and won the team’s humanitarian award at this year’s banquet. His departure leaves the Rangers with five overagers — G Dawson Carty, D Frank Hora, D Dylan Di Perna, F David Miller and F Darby Llewellyn. OHL teams can only dress three per game.
CALLING ON CARTY: Carty has been named the starter in net with Luke Opilka sidelined with a hip injury.
You have to be smart. You have to have a defensive mindset.” JAY MCKEE Rangers coach
Carty went 15-2-1-0 last season with a 2.36 goals against average and .916 save percentage. Luke Richardson, Liam Devine and Chris McGonigle will battle for the backup role.
BRACCO EYES PROS: Elite winger Jeremy Bracco will not be at Rangers’ training camp. The Toronto Maple Leafs second round draft pick will try to make the Buds and, failing that, try out for the team’s AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies. If he doesn’t crack the Marlies, he could be assigned to the Rangers. Bracco had 64 points in 49 games for Kitchener last season.
NOT THIS YEAR: Highly touted forwards Jacob Tortora and Lias Andersson will not suit up for the Rangers this season. Tortora committed to USA Hockey’s Under-18 program, while Andersson will play for HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League. Tortora was selected by the Barrie Colts in the first round of the 2015 OHL draft, but his rights were traded to the Rangers for a 15th round draft pick and three conditional second round selections. Andersson was Kitchener’s second round pick in this year’s CHL import draft and is projected to go in the first round of next year’s NHL draft.
BLAISDELL BANGED UP: Defenceman Doug Blaisdell will miss the start of the season with an upper body injury. The team is still assessing the veteran’s injury to determine how much time he’ll miss but, as of now, won’t be ready for the season opener against Flint on Sept. 23.