The slight chill in the air that ushered in the start of football season should also tell you that hockey is near.

It’s been just over 100 days since the New York Rangers bowed out in the conference final to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, which shouldn’t feel too long ago after the lengthy duration of last offseason following the club’s first-round exit to the Devils.

Rookies will report on Wednesday and the veterans will follow shortly thereafter to kick off training camp.

The Rangers opened the 2023-24 season with a 22-man roster of 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies. It wouldn’t be surprising if the team did the same this year for cap space accrual purposes ahead of what could be an important trade deadline.