New York’s Depth Forwards Make Early Impact

The Rangers have received strong early play from their third and fourth lines after adding several forwards in the offseason. Will Cuylle, Eeli Tolvanen, and Noah Laba have formed a reliable third unit that contributes on both ends and helps the penalty kill. The fourth line, featuring Tye Kartye, Joe Veleno, and Jaroslav Chmelar or Matt Rempe, has also given New York more balance.

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New York entered this season after a lack of forward depth, with Conor Sheary often miscast in the top six. Offseason additions by Chris Drury created a more balanced group, and the bottom six helped the club win its past two contests. Will Cuylle shifted to the third line after Pavel Dorofeyev and Oliver Bjorkstrand arrived, while Eeli Tolvanen signed for one year at $1.5 million and Noah Laba, 23, centers that unit. Tolvanen has two goals in three games; Laba has one assist.

The fourth line mixes Joe Veleno, Tye Kartye, and either Jaroslav Chmelar or Matt Rempe. Veleno signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal after a defensive role in Montreal. Kartye posted five goals and nine assists in 24 games last season and has one assist this year. Rempe appeared in the opener; Chmelar played the next two. Both bring physicality, though neither kills penalties.

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