With their trade for Adam McQuaid, the Rangers will enter training camp with 47 of their 50 reserve list slots filled and between $2.6 million and $3.5 million in cap space.
The Rangers top-six heading into camp is likely to be Kevin Shattenkirk, McQuaid and Neal Pionk on the right side and Brady Skjei, Marc Staal and Fredrik Claesson/Brendan Smith on the left side.
Larry Brooks noted that Smith will be in competition on the left side with Claesson, John Gilmour, Rob O'Gara and possibly Libor Hajek.
Brooks also noted that Staal may not be guaranteed of a spot in the top-six.
Rick Carpiniello noted that the addition of McQuaid makes things difficult for Tony DeAngelo and that, unlike last year, DeAngelo needs to go through waivers to play in Hartford. (The Athletic)
Carpiniello also notes that McQuaid's presence could make an impact up front and that his style of play could allow the Rangers to sit Cody McLeod and possibly give a regular spot to one of the younger forwards. (The Athletic)
Adam Rotter: Shattenkirk, Staal, Skjei and McQuaid seem locks to start the season with the Rangers, with Skjei and Shattenkirk possibly as the top-pair. The final two spots will probably go to some form of Neal Pionk, Freddy Claesson, Brendan Smith or Tony DeAngelo. The Rangers could conceivably carry all four and go with eight defenseman, but that is something that will play itself out in training camp and the preseason. There will be a competition in training camp and I think it's very fair to assume that how the Rangers open the season on defense will not be the same way they deploy their defense after Thanksgiving and certainly after the deadline.