After Friday’s and Saturday’s roster moves, the front-runners for the Rangers’ final forward spots have become clear.
Offseason signings Alex Belzile and Riley Nash were put on waivers — along with Anton Blidh, Turner Elson, Ty Emberson and Connor Mackey — for the purpose of assignment to AHL Hartford.
Each one of those players, aside from Emberson, passed through and were officially designated to the Wolf Pack on Saturday.
Emberson, who played 69 games for Hartford last season, was claimed by the Sharks.
Additionally, Adam Sykora was sent to the Wolf Pack for potentially his first full AHL season since the Rangers drafted him 63rd overall in 2022.
Hartford’s training camp begins on Sunday.
Though Nash was more of a depth acquisition, Belzile was expected to compete for a bottom-six role.
Instead, the Rangers kept Jonny Brodzinski, Will Cuylle and Brennan Othmann for further evaluation.
As the only Rangers player who has competed in every preseason game thus far, Brodzinski suited up for his fourth straight exhibition game Saturday night.
“Really good impressions,” Laviolette said of Brodzinski, who centered Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe in the Rangers’ 5-3 loss to the Islanders at UBS Arena. “I thought he and his line the other night were excellent. They were the most noticeable line, they generated the most chances. It’s his speed, his tenacity and he is in the game tonight. That’s the fourth look for him.
“Those are earned, too. They’re not just given, they’re earned and I think he’s played really well.”
Brodzinski, who has been the Wolf Pack’s captain since October 2021, could land the 13th forward role if the Rangers don’t want to rush Cuylle.
Though the opportunities have come in abundance for the 21-year-old wing, who may be the first call up to the Rangers should an injury arise.
The expectation is that Tyler Pitlick and Jimmy Vesey should round out the forward group, but Cuylle and Othmann are still in the mix.
Jake Leschyshyn, who skated in 13 games for the Rangers last season after the club claimed him off waivers from Vegas, was also placed on waivers Saturday, while Brett Berard, Edstrom and Rempe remain in camp.
The Rangers are now down to 34 players on their training camp roster.
Filip Chytil (upper-body injury) skated by himself at MSG Training Center on Saturday, according to The Post’s Larry Brooks.
Goalies Jonathan Quick and Dylan Garand were in net against the Islanders on Saturday night on Long Island.
The Rangers are expected to be off Sunday before returning to the ice Monday.
After they venture to Prudential Center on Wednesday to face the Devils for the second time this preseason, the Rangers will finish off their exhibition game schedule with a rematch against the Bruins at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
