Puempel placed on waivers

By Matt Puempel having what Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton called an “OK” training camp, he got beat out for a spot on the opening-night roster by Paul Carey. Now Puempel could have very well played his last game for the Blueshirts.

Puempel was placed on waivers Thursday, meaning any team in the league can put in a claim for him up until noon Friday. If he happens to clear, Puempel will be assigned to AHL Hartford and try to work his way back to the Rangers. At 24 years old and about to start his one-year, $725,000 deal, it’s possible Puempel could fit into another team’s picture — just as he did when the Rangers claimed him last season off waivers from the Senators.

“I think with Matt, it’s a case of Carey played really well and earned a spot,” Gorton said after Thursday’s practice. “I think Matt was OK. But he just didn’t stand out enough right now with what we were looking for. Penalty killing played a part in it. For him, we’ll see what happens. If he clears, we’ll do everything we can to get his game at a top level and see if we can get him back here.”

Carey, 29, might have surprised some in camp with his speed and versatility. Coming out of Boston College, he was drafted by the Avalanche in the fifth round (No. 135 overall) in 2007, and has 32 games of NHL experience .

“He looks like he can be a pretty versatile guy for us, can play both sides, he can play center, he can kill penalties, he skates really well,” Gorton said.

Carey also beat out forwards Boo Nieves and Vinni Lettieri, who were sent down to AHL Hartford. Joining them were defenseman Neal Pionk and Ryan Graves, while 21-year-old Anthony DeAngelo and veteran Steven Kampfer made the team on the back end.

Winger Jesper Fast participated in his first full-team practice Thursday wearing a non-contact jersey.

Bobby Farnham was released from his professional tryout (PTO), while Andrew Desjardins remained with the team, still unsigned on his PTO.