Scott Morrow still has a real shot to break camp with the Rangers, even if a recent fan poll barely gave him any love.
The defenseman finished last in a social media vote from Forever Blueshirts on which dark-horse candidate had the best chance to make the New York Rangers’ opening-night roster for Sept. 29. Morrow drew just 6.6 percent of the vote, but the path is there if he can make a strong enough impression in camp and preseason.
Right now, Morrow has been skating with Matthew Robertson on what amounts to a fourth defense pair. Rookie Alberts Smits is getting a long look on the left side with Braden Schneider on the third pair, and if the 18-year-old doesn’t open the season with the Rangers, Robertson would likely move up, which would leave Morrow fighting with Urho Vaakanainen and Vincent Iorio for the seventh defenseman job. The Rangers are not expected to keep Smits as an extra, since that would only slow his development.
Vaakanainen and Iorio spent the first three days of camp practicing with the players expected to go to Hartford of the American Hockey League. Morrow, Vaakanainen, and Iorio would each have to clear waivers to be sent down.
Morrow’s low showing in the poll reflects how much his stock has dipped on Broadway. He came into the organization as a top prospect after being acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in the K’Andre Miller trade in the summer of 2025, but last season was uneven. He posted six assists in 29 games with the Rangers, began the year in Hartford, and didn’t really separate himself after his recall - even with Adam Fox missing significant time twice because of injuries.
In Hartford, Morrow played 34 games, produced 19 points with five goals and 14 assists, and finished at minus-16.
There is still upside there. Morrow turns 24 on Nov. 1, shoots right, and brings offense from the blue line. But if he wants to stick in the NHL this season, he has to deliver more at that end while tightening up his play defensively.
The Rangers’ blue line is mostly spoken for. Their top five are set, with Fox, Schneider, and newcomer Sean Durzi on the right side and Vladislav Gavrikov and Marcus Pettersson on the left. That leaves Smits or Robertson for the third pair, but Morrow can still force his way in as the extra defenseman.
The same poll also asked fans to choose among Liam Greentree, Cole Beaudoin, and goalie Dylan Garand. Garand drew questions from some fans, given the strong three-game cameo that put him on the Rangers’ radar late last season, but the summer trade for veteran backup Joonas Korpisalo made his path much tougher. Sullivan said earlier this week the Rangers could carry three goalies to start the season, though he also acknowledged that isn’t a great long-term setup.
Garand finished second in the vote with 24.5 percent. “I think Garand makes the team because he won’t make it through waivers, and no team is going to pick up Korpasalo and pay that contract ($3 million AAV for next two seasons),” David Knepper commented on Facebook.
Greentree won the poll going away with 52.4 percent of the vote, even though his road to the opening-night roster may actually be the steepest. The Rangers appear set on their top three lines, and the fourth line brings its own mix of options and waiver complications. Still, the 20-year-old looked strong in the Rookie Series last weekend against Philadelphia Flyers prospects, and he should get NHL action this season, likely after spending time in Hartford first.
“Definitely Greentree. The kid is playing like he wants it!,” Mike Anthony noted.
Beaudoin came in third at 16.6 percent. Like Greentree, he looks close to NHL time, but the Rangers already have four experienced centers, which blocks his route for now.
The 20-year-old appeared in one Rookie Series game before a minor injury sidelined him. He missed the first couple of intrasquad scrimmages at camp, returned Saturday, and should be available for preseason games this week.
A few fans also floated 6-foot-7 forward Nathan Aspinall and former University of Minnesota forward Brody Lamb as possible camp surprises. But Mark Meyerholz captured the general mood from a lot of the fan base.
“No rush let the boys get their feet wet in Hartford there will be injuries and whoever is ready will be in NY DO NOT RUSH THE YOUNG GUYS their time will come. They win a job fine that would be awesome!!”
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