The Rangers began to ease their forward surplus by waiving forwards Marek Hrivik and Nicklas Jensen on Wednesday with the intention of eventually sending them to the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack if they are unclaimed by noon EDT Thursday.
Hrivik, 25, who has played in the AHL for five seasons, was called up for five games last year. The Slovakian left wing posted his best AHL numbers last season, with 12 goals and 41 points in 68 games. Before Monday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders, head coach Alain Vigneault said Hrivik was "in the mix" to make the team.
Jensen, 23, was acquired from Vancouver in January, along with a sixth-round draft pick in 2017, in exchange for Emerson Etem. The Danish left wing scored three goals and six points in 24 NHL games.
With so many teams still making decisions on their rosters, which must be finalized by Oct. 11, the strategy appears to be that Hrivik and Jensen have a good chance to clear waivers. All four Rangers who were waived Tuesday cleared Wednesday: defensemen Mat Bodie, Chris Summers and Tommy Hughes and forward Chris Brown.
With more camp cuts expected Wednesday, there are currently 20 forwards remaining in camp. Among the forwards who may be re-assigned: Gabriel Fontaine, Robin Kovacs, Cristoval Nieves, Malte Stromwall.
Players on the bubble both upfront and on defense will get a final look during the team's preseason finale on Thursday, when the Blueshirts host the Flyers, Vigneault said after the game in Brooklyn.
