Rangers Report Blog

White 1, Blue O.

Of course, I’m aware that means absolutely nothing to you seeing how you have no idea who is on what team. But here are some quick thoughts on the team’s official intra-squad scrimmage:
—The lone goal was scored by Darien, Conn., native and former first-round draft pick Hugh Jessiman, who tipped in a Thomas Pock shot from the point. There’s been a lot of interest in how Jessiman has looked thus far, and I’ll be honest: it hasn’t been pretty. Though at 6-foot-6, Jessiman has the size to compete at the NHL level, his play has been indifferent through the first few days of training camp. Today, with the goal and a few decent hits, he has shown some signs of life.
—Not surprisingly, Jaromir Jagr is not playing, but tellingly, free-agent acquisition Brendan Shanahan is playing alongside Jagr’s usual linemates Martin Straka and Michael Nylander on the Blue squad.
—The best player on the ice so far? Call me crazy, but it’s been 5-foot-8 prospect Nigel Dawes, who has been around the puck all morning, and could easily have had a few goals already if not for some decent saves by Kevin Weekes.