Analyzing the Rangers’ crucial roster decisions

David Quinn’s lineup philosophy of “[Having] the top nine forwards be our top nine forwards regardless of position,” as stated by the coach before Monday’s 4-3 overtime victory over the Devils at the Garden pretty much explains why Filip Chytil took a few shifts on left wing during Saturday’s match against the Islanders in Bridgeport and may get some more looks there as preseason continues.

For while it is not necessary to move Chytil out of the middle in order to get the precious 19-year-old center into the top nine, either No. 72 or Lias Andersson would have to move to the flank off their natural spots in the middle in order to accommodate both 2017 first-rounders within the Rangers’ top three lines. That’s the only way it could work with Mika Zibanejad and Kevin Hayes ensconced at center.

The Blueshirts intend to carry the current and bloated 40-skater, four-goaltender roster through Thursday’s final exhibition match in Philadelphia because this extra exposure to Quinn and his system can only benefit the kids who don’t make the cut so they are as close to Broadway-ready as possible when recalls are in order.

And while Quinn said that “five or six spots” might be open, it seems like the staff is facing no more than one or two generally interlocking personnel decisions before the 23-man roster is set in advance of the Oct. 4 opener at the Garden against Nashville.

Libor Hajek and Ryan Lindgren have been impressive in their first pro camps, but both seem destined to begin the season with the AHL Wolf Pack. The Rangers are likely to start with eight defensemen, with Brady Skjei, Marc Staal, Brendan Smith and Fredrik Claesson the four lefties and Kevin Shattenkirk, Adam McQuaid, Neal Pionk and Tony DeAngelo the four righties.

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Quinn said that he is not married to the proposition of keeping eight as opposed to seven, but unless the team is prepared to lose Claesson or DeAngelo on waivers, it seems likely the season will begin with two extra on D. DeAngelo has been more dynamic and decisive this time around and you can envision the possibilities, but he cannot match Pionk’s all-around game and dependability.

The decisions up front are largely dependent on Chytil’s deployment. If he remains in the middle, then Andersson — more confident than he was a year ago — would become the fourth-line center. That would eliminate any chance for Brett Howden, also having an impressive camp, to stick in that role.

But if Chytil moves to the wing, the fourth center spot would become open. Then the decision would be whether a smaller role in New York or a larger one in Hartford would benefit both Howden and the organization over the long haul. And never forget: While shoddy play will not be excused, 2018-19 is about the long haul.

So let’s return to Proposition Top Nine. Zibanejad and Hayes are two. Adding Chris Kreider, Pavel Buchnevich, Mats Zuccarello and Jesper Fast make six. Chytil is seven. Ryan Spooner makes eight. And then maybe Andersson is nine. Can we contemplate: Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich; Chytil-Hayes-Zuccarello; Spooner-Andersson-Fast?

One truth that is inalienable: Fast is a top-nine forward. He proved that often enough when used in that role by former coach Alain Vigneault. He seems the perfect linemate for Andersson.

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What about Jimmy Vesey, you say? What about Vladislav Namestnikov? That’s what Quinn might be wondering. For while it is always difficult to evaluate veterans in camp because they tend to approach things on their own timetable, but neither Vesey nor Namestnikov have looked anywhere good enough to have cemented a top-nine role. Indeed, if not for their names and résumés, neither has done much at all to earn a roster spot. Both need to pick it up.

So a fourth line perhaps with Vesey on one wing, and Namestnikov in the middle with Cody McLeod and Vinni Lettieri vying for the other spot. Or maybe, Howden between Vesey and Namestnikov with McLeod and Lettieri vying for the 13th forward spot.

And really: If Smith and McQuaid are in on D, do the Rangers need the specter of McLeod in uniform to keep the opposition honest if Lettieri, who got the winner to cap a showcase night in which he got 20:21 of ice and was involved throughout, presents a high-octane, gritty alternative?

There are decisions ahead, but more of the micro variety. The Rangers are looking to identify their 23. Quinn is seeking to identify his top-nine. The latter is what the next few days — and, in truth, the opening weeks of the season — will be about.