Miller in battle for third-line center spot

J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes will open training camp competing against each other as well as veteran freeagent signee Matt Lombardi and perhaps secondyear pro Oscar Lindberg for the job as the Rangers’ thirdline center.

Both players are also expected to get looks on the wing, where the Rangers have an opening on each of the third and fourth lines. Veterans Ryan Malone and Lee Stempniak are in the mix for those spots along with youngsters Jesper Fast and Ryan Haggerty, and perhaps Chris McCarthy and Anthony Duclair.

“Versatility for a player is a big, big bonus,” coach Alain Vigneault said when asked about Miller and Hayes, who have played center and wing. “In J.T.’s case and Hayes’ case, we’re going to start those guys in the middle and then as camp unfolds, we’ll make the decisions that need to be made.

“But we’re definitely going to [experiment]. [Rick] Nash on the right side, Nasher on the left side. Things like that.”

Stempniak ($900,000), Lombardi ($800,000) and Malone (twoway, NHL $700,000/AHL $100,000) would require waivers to be sent to Hartford. None would count against the cap unless on the Rangers’ roster.

Freeagent signees Mike Kostka and Matt Hunwick are the leading contenders to fill the role of seventh defenseman owned last year by The Other Justin Falk, who played one game — the season finale — in the calendar year of 2014.

The Rangers will conduct onice conditioning testing Friday before going through drills on Saturday. The team will scrimmage on Sunday in advance of Monday’s preseason opener at the Garden against the Devils. The following match is on Friday in Chicago.