Up front the two names on everyone mind are Jimmy Vesey and Pavel Buchnevich, who just completed the Traverse City Prospects Tournament, which Vesey led in goals with five and tied for first with seven points in four games.
"Both their first experience as far as a pro camp," Vigneault stated. "Both had real good games in Traverse City. I think that will help them coming into this camp. They've just got to play and they've got to play within their strengths."
Vigneault said he was excited about the addition of 23-year-old center Mika Zibanejad, whom he feels has not yet reached his full potential after beginning his career with the Ottawa Senators.
"He's a young player that our scouting staff and our management all felt he was on the upswing," Vigneault said of Zibanejad, whom the Rangers acquired as part of an offseason deal for Derick Brassard. "The speed is there. The skill is there. The youth is there. We believe he's not fully developed yet and with the right environment teammate wise, coaching wise, we can get more from [Zibanejad] … we think we have a good, young player we'll be able to work with for some time."
While the core of the defense has returned, Vigneault said there are still positions to be filled on the backend by some new faces brought in over the summer, as well as added responsibility for those returning.
"There's ice time available. There's roles available," Vigneault said, adding the departure of both Keith Yandle and Dan Boyle free up spots in more offensive situations. "There's opportunity there. There's opportunity from a veteran guy like Ryan McDonagh to take a little bit more to a younger guy like Brady Skjei to take a little bit more, to Dylan [McIlrath]. There's opportunities there for defensemen coming to our camp to show their skill set and to grab the opportunity to earn a spot on our team."
