BOSTON – Alain Vigneault challenged second-year forward Kevin Hayes on Thursday morning to pick up his play at center in the Rangers’ evening match against the Bruins at TD Garden.
In an informative morning press conference at the Blueshirts’ Greenburgh training facility, Vigneault also said veteran left wing Tanner Glass is not guaranteed a spot on this season’s roster, offseason acquisition Viktor Stalberg has impressed him through two games, he intends to keep 13 forwards for his opening day roster, and he will cut his camp roster to about 30 total players by Friday morning.
His comments on Hayes were especially interesting, though, because Vigneault has a logjam at the center position to resolve: If Hayes starts the season at center, the coach has a decision to make between whether veteran Jarret Stoll or veteran Dominic Moore would play wing.