NHL

Tough cuts ahead for Rangers

The first cuts were the easiest, if not for the players to absorb, than certainly for management to enact. The critical preseason personnel decisions all remain ahead for the Rangers, who trimmed the roster to 35 yesterday, including three goaltenders, 11 defensemen and 21 forwards.

Two more forwards are expected to be cut before the team departs for its extended European tour immediately following tomorrow night’s exhibition match in Philadelphia.

Pavel Valentenko, the defenseman who had a disappointing camp and dreadful game in New Jersey on Friday, probably qualifies as the most notable cut in being placed on waivers. Winger Christian Thomas, the 2010 second-rounder who made less of an impact in camp than he did a year ago, was returned to OHL Oshawa.

Winger J.T. Miller, who had the best camp of any non-roster youngster following his 15th-overall selection in this year’s Entry Draft, was nevertheless sent back to OHL Plymouth.

Still, the tough calls regarding the opening roster won’t be made until the Rangers are into their four-game preseason schedule on the larger rinks overseas. The decisions up front entail the guys whom, injuries aside, probably will open as healthy scratches. The decisions on defense are complicated by the questionable status of Marc Staal and a possible free agent signing.

With Mats Zuccarello all but certain to start the season with the team, the Rangers have spots open for a pair of spare forwards. Unless Carl Hagelin comes out of nowhere with far more impressive performances in Europe than he’s delivered in his two exhibition outings thus far or Ryan Bourque forces himself into the mix, the candidates are: Sean Avery, who clearly has the highest ceiling of anyone else in the equation; Erik Christensen, whose role has been marginalized by the addition of Brad Richards; and John Mitchell and Dale Weise, both of whom would require waivers in order to be assigned to the AHL Whale.

On defense, Tim Erixon seems considerably less ready for the NHL than Ryan McDonagh was a year ago in his first pro camp, and the Rangers assigned the Wisconsin defenseman to the AHL before his midseason promotion.

It’s difficult to project Staal into the opening night lineup, though not impossible. The Rangers probably will have news today regarding the immediate program for their ailing alternate captain. With Dan Girardi, McDonagh and Michael Sauer locks to start and Steve Eminger about as sure a thing as there is to grab a roster spot, that leaves two openings on the roster and perhaps one in the Oct. 7 lineup against the Kings in Stockholm.

Michael Del Zotto and Brendan Bell (who does not require waivers) are the candidates pending a possible addition of Chris Campoli or alternate free agent, though 2010 first-rounder Dylan McIlrath remains with the team after avoiding early reassignment to WHL Moose Jaw. It would be a stunner at this point if Del Zotto does not stick.

Barring a shock, the Rangers have $5,332,667 in cap space to be fought for up front by Avery ($1,935,500), Christensen ($925,000), Bourque ($900,000) Hagelin ($875,000), Mitchell ($650,000) and Weise ($605,000); and on defense by Del Zotto ($1,087,500), Bell ($525,000), McIlrath ($1,325,000) and a potential addition.