SUNRISE, Fla. — To put Matthew Robertson’s anticipated NHL debut Monday night in perspective, all it takes is one look at the Rangers draft class the 24-year-old was a part of.
Of the eight selections the organization made in 2019, two will have been with the Rangers all of this season and another was through Dec. 18.
That would be the highest of their picks that year, Kaapo Kakko at the second overall, who started and finished his six-year New York tenure before Robertson even cracked the lineup.
Zac Jones, drafted after Robertson (49th overall) in the third round, has been in and out of the Rangers defense the last five seasons.
Even Adam Edstrom, who was a sixth-rounder taken at No. 161, made his NHL debut last year and probably would’ve enjoyed his first full 82-game campaign if not for the season-ending lower-body injury he sustained on Feb 1.
“You have your doubts,” the defenseman said after participating in an optional Rangers practice Sunday in Fort Lauderdale. “But, I mean, you just got to keep grinding out the process. Take it day by day and just try to get better each day. That’s kind of the thought process I’ve done, is just day by day, try to get better and hopefully play it out [Monday].”
The Rangers’ plan has naturally shifted to focus on the future amid their elimination from playoff contention following Saturday’s loss to the Hurricanes in Raleigh.
Not only will Robertson get his first official look in a Rangers uniform, but Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann are expected to be back in the lineup, as well.
While head coach Peter Laviolette wouldn’t confirm it on Sunday, it would be the only logical course of action at this point.
Perreault had been a healthy scratch the previous three games, while Othmann joined him the last two. It was a peculiar decision given the fact that the Rangers’ chances at making the playoff were all but impossible at those times.
It did bring Brett Berard back into the lineup, and deservedly so. But there was certainly a way to have all the youngsters play.
“Obviously, everyone wants to play,” Perreault said on Sunday. “But, you know, it needs to be earned. Just ready to go, whenever I go back in, I’ll be ready.”
After finding out the news before Sunday’s skate, Robertson said his excitement level was high and that he felt like this moment was “a long time coming.”
While he’s taken warmups and practiced with the team a handful of times, the left-handed blueliner will get his first action in a game Monday night.
There’s a mix of emotions for Robertson, but he said he plans to treat it like any other game. He noted that he was pleased by his performance this season down in Hartford, where he has primarily played in a top-four role.
As for Perreault, the Boston College product who turned pro just 15 days ago said he plans to focus on keeping up with the pace of play, making plays and not getting beat.
“They’ve been great,” he said of the communication with the coaching staff. “Just kind of trying to guide me in every way. Obviously, I had [assistant coach Dan] Muse at the [U.S. National Team Development] Program and he’s been there for me. Always grabbing me. Every little thing he sees, he’s grabbing me and trying to help me out.”
