Adam Edstrom voted top Rangers rookie at training camp

Adam Edstrom was awarded the 2024 Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award, presented to the New York Rangers top rookie at the conclusion of training camp. The award, as voted by members of the media, has been given to the Blueshirts top rookie since 1988.

Edstrom, at 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, brings physicality, skill and surprisingly good skating to his game. The towering forward was selected by the Rangers in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Since then, the 23-year-old has opened eyes with how much he’s improved his all-around game.

Last season, he played in 11 games with the Rangers and scored two goals, including one in his NHL debut on Dec. 15 against the Anaheim Ducks. Edstrom also played 40 games with Hartford in the American Hockey League, scoring 11 goals.

Edstrom came into training camp this season looking to build on the experience he gained and prove that he was worthy of more NHL time. His efforts haven’t gone unrewarded as he gets the honor of being named top rookie in a training camp that featured some stiff competition.

The award is named after Lars-Erik Sjoberg, to honor the Rangers chief European scout who passed away in 1987 because of cancer. Since its inception, the award has honored the skill and effort of Rangers rookies like Henrik Lundqvist in 2005, Jimmy Vesey in 2016, and Adam Fox in 2019. Last year, the award was presented to forward Will Cuylle, who went on to play in 81 regular-season games and led the Rangers and all NHL rookies in hits with 247.

Hopefully, the honor can also boost Edstrom to continue with his impressive showing. In the preseason, Edstrom played four games and contributed three goals, tying him with Chris Kreider for the team lead. He added one assist and impressed with his solid skating ability.

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Rangers opening-night lineup will feature top rookie contributors

Victor Mancini — photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

Since Jimmy Vesey was placed on LTIR with a lower-body injury, a roster spot opened up on New York’s fourth line. Edstrom will fill that hole on opening night Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. He’ll skate on a line with Sam Carrick and Jonny Brodzinski.

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette noted that the fourth line could rotate and be match-up dependent for the time being. For instance, Matt Rempe will be a healthy scratch in the season opener, but is expected to get his fair share of opportunities this season.

Another new face in the lineup Wednesday will be defenseman Victor Mancini. The 22-year-old was certainly another contender for the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award after contributing two goals and an assist in the preseason and showing his defensive strengths with solid two-way play. After Ryan Lindgren sustained an upper-body injury , Mancini saw increased time throughout training camp with several pairings including Adam Fox and Zac Jones. The rookie will make his NHL debut with Jones as his partner for the opening game.

Though there are no guarantees how long Edstrom and Mancini will remain in New York, it’s a positive sign that the Rangers depth is in a good place with talented younger players on the rise in the organization.

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