With the 2026 Winter Olympics approaching, Canadian head coach Jon Cooper remains focused on the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, emphasizing his players' commitment to winning now rather than looking ahead. Defenceman Josh Morrissey and U.S. forward Jack Eichel recognize the Olympic excitement but stress the importance of performing well in the present.

The 4 Nations tournament serves as an Olympic audition for many players, including Morrissey and Eichel, as they aim to secure spots on their national teams. Veteran players like Erik Karlsson are also eager for a chance to represent their countries again after missing prior Olympics. The stakes are high for every athlete, as their performances will be scrutinized by national team executives ahead of the Olympic Games.

The New York Rangers are actively managing their roster to optimize their salary cap space, particularly in light of injuries. Jimmy Vesey has been placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) and Ryan Lindgren on Injured Reserve (IR), which opens up two spots on the roster.

While Vesey will miss the entire month of October, Lindgren is expected to return soon. The Rangers have also sent several non-waiver players to the AHL, allowing them to recall others to fill in. This strategic move is aimed at maximizing their LTIR space while ensuring they have enough players for the season opener.