Rangers taking look at Hartford’s best players, including Victor Mancini

The New York Rangers are two games into their preseason schedule and a week into training camp. In that span, three young players from the Hartford Wolf Pack have generated varying levels of excitement, as each tries to make a case to land a roster spot, now or as a call-up during the season.

It’s been hard to overlook defenseman Victor Mancini. The 22-year-old was among the best players in rookie camp and then had two points (goal, assist) in a strong all-around game in the Rangers’ 3-2 win in their preseason opener against the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

“I think he was really strong in the game,” coach Peter Laviolette stated . “He’s been that way, though. For me, he was one of those guys that was really noticeable in those rookie games, has been noticeable in the scrimmages and the practices that we’ve had.”

Mancini joined the Wolf Pack late last season after finishing his collegiate career at University of Nebraska-Omaha. He was an immediate difference-maker, contributing three assists in his first seven games, in addition to a solid defensive showing. He also played a key role helping the Wolf Pack advance twice in the Calder Cup Playoffs, when he played all 10 games.

This will be Mancini’s first full pro season and he’s till developing his game and wasn’t expected to compete for an NHL roster spot in this camp. Mancini, though, has not counted himself out. The right-hand shot has turned heads with his offensive prowess and strong defensive play.

“He’s big (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), he’s strong, he skates, he seems to be able to protect the puck from players trying to get it away from him,” Laviolette explained. “He’s able to use his speed and his size to put it in an area where he can make the next play.”

Though likely set to start the season in Hartford, Mancini could get an extended look in training camp after recent injuries to defensemen Ryan Lindgren and Matthew Robertson.

Related: 3 Rangers takeaways from 6-4 preseason win against Islanders

Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard ‘up and down’ against Islanders

Another player who stood out against Boston was forward Brennan Othmann. The 21-year-old played on a line with Jimmy Vesey and Jonny Brodzinski. And though held off of the score sheet, Othmann brought a physical presence to his play, à la Matthew Tkachuk. The forward landed several big hits and culminated his physical game in a fight with Bruins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon in the second period.

However, the 2021 first-round pick had an uneven performance in the second preseason game, a 6-4 win against the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Othmann didn’t record a shot on goal with more than 11 minutes of ice time, skating some with Filip Chytil and Artemi Panarin.

“I’ve never really played with anyone in that caliber before, so I was a little bit nervous the first few shifts … I was bobbling the puck a little bit,” Othmann admitted .

Panarin left the game with a lower-body injury. That could open the door for Othmann to receive a longer look in camp.

Adding to the competition at forward, Brett Berard has established himself as a pivotal part of the Wolf Pack’s offense but is looking to make the jump to the Rangers’ roster . The 22-year-old competed in 71 regular-season games for Hartford last season and led the Wolf Pack with 25 goals, ranking second among all AHL rookies.

He suited up for his first preseason action against the Islanders and had a quiet night. Berard did not record a shot nor a hit, and had three giveaways, in 10:45 of ice time.

“It was kind of up and down a little bit,” Laviolette said about Berard and Othmann’s play Tuesday. “But I thought they had their moments where they were good.”

Not exactly a ringing endorsement from the coach. But Othmann and Berard are key players, on the cusp of being NHLers with the Rangers. And now Mancini is in the same conversation. Let’s see how they handle their upcoming opportunities.

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More must-reads:

• Rangers prospect Victor Mancini focused on ‘being a sponge’
• 3 Rangers takeaways from 5-2 preseason win against Bruins
• Brennan Othmann impresses in Rangers’ 5-2 preseason win against Bruins