Rangers PTO Candidate Could Send Others to Waivers

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The New York Rangers could face a tough decision as a PTO candidate might send other current roster players to waivers.

The New York Rangers are gradually heading into the final stretch of their training camp season. That situation signifies the club will need to make some tough choices as the roster trims down.

One such choice pertains to PTO candidate Conor Sheary. Sheary joined the Rangers late in the offseason, hoping to get one more shot at the NHL. The club signed him to the PTO with every intention to give him a fair shot.

Thus far, it seems to be working out. Sheary has impressed well enough to warrant consideration for a bottom-six role. Most importantly, Rangers coach Mike Sullivan knows Sheary well. That’s why the relationship between Sullivan and Sheary means there’s trust and an inside track to a full-time NHL role.

That trust can translate into consistent deployment in various game situations. So, could that mean the Rangers keep Sheary at the expense of other players such as Juuso Parssinen or Taylor Raddysh?

It could well be. Sheary won’t likely suit up on the fourth line. That unit looks set with Adam Edstrom, Sam Carrick, and Matt Rempe. Such a unit could play less than 10 minutes a night, but has the potential to bring much-needed punch and energy to the lineup.

So, where does that put Sheary? The 33-year-old could line up on the third line. Assuming Gabe Perreault makes the team, the Rangers will need to decide if Parssinen or Raddysh stays. Considering that Parssinen is a center, Raddysh could be the odd man out.

Rangers Could Just Keep Sheary as a 13^th Forward

The other consideration could be keeping Sheary as a 13^th forward. That’s the likeliest role for Sheary at this point. It’s tough to envisage Sheary completely displacing other roster players at this point.

Exposing someone like Parssinen to waivers could mean losing a valuable piece for nothing. So, having Sheary stick around as a 13^th forward wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.

Other potentials like Brett Berard, Noah Laba, and Brennan Othmann could head down to the AHL for more consistent playing time.

Then, there’s the case of Jonny Brodzinski. Brodzinski would have to clear waivers if sent down. But then again, there’s a good chance he does. If the cap math works, he could stick around as a 13^th or 14^th forward.

Please bear in mind that many decisions will hinge on depth this season. The grinding schedule will force teams to churn through extra bodies just to stay above water. The Rangers will not be the exception.

New York’s Depth Will be Crucial in 2025-26

Speaking of depth, the Rangers cannot ignore its value. The club has enough options that could play a key role throughout the season. While having internal options does not preclude the possibility of a trade, there’s enough in the pipeline to keep the team going.

However, injuries could also play a role moving forward. So, having extra capable bodies like Conor Sheary can mean plugging holes with NHL-level players, or grasping at straws down the line.

One final thought. Rangers fans should keep an eye on the waiver wire as final cuts occur throughout the league. The Blue Shirts could pluck a player or two to build internal depth heading into the season.