The new old Rangers opened camp at the team’s training facility in Greenburgh, NY, with some promising rookies, a few transplanted bodies, a couple of big names and a slew of expectations. After four days of scrimmaging and shuffling players both new and old in and out of line combinations and goal nets, the Rangers are poised to start making cuts to the roster.

Somewhat likely to remain with the team are free agent pickups Chris Drury and Scott Gomez. While both have tried out different line-mates, the obvious combinations that coach Tom Renney started camp with will probably see ice time during the season. Pairing Gomez with Jaromir Jagr and Marcel Hossa made for a speedy, though not perfectly comfortable-looking top line. Both Jagr and Gomez are used to taking a lead towards the net, both racked up impressive assist totals last season (Jagr managed 30 goals and 66 assists while Gomez nabbed 13 goals and 47 assists) and it seemed at times that hesitation led to a late commitment and missed opportunity to score during a scrimmage. Though he may need some time to completely adjust to new line-mates, Jagr said the surgically-repaired shoulder that hampered him much of last season was no longer any problem.

The line made up of Brendan Shanahan, Drury and Sean Avery also caused no reason for concern. They looked smooth right from the start, showing off the kind of speed, communication and seamless passing that is usually only seen on a line that has been together all season.

“I’m pretty easygoing with whomever I’m with,” Drury said following their first practice. “It was fun to be out there with those guys.”

The Shanahan line also seemed to boast smoother transitions, a possible concern for Gomez, considering the experiences some former New Jersey Devils have had making the switch to more offensively-minded teams. Bobby Holik had a tough time with the Rangers, though Gomez is younger and eager to adapt, a quality Renney is hoping to find among many players.

“I like being able to show a different look,” he said. “I like versatility in people.”

Versatility may be a goal, but it doesn’t mean Gomez is going to float down to the third line. The third-line center position is still open, with good candidates in Ryan Callahan, Martin Straka and Brandon Dubinsky, who played in six games with the Rangers last season, though he failed to score a single point. Straka and Callahan skated on a line with Petr Prucha, who looks poised to score 20 or more goals for the third season in a row – his third season in the league.

Prucha slid more than one puck behind more than one goaltender looking to secure the backup spot behind Henrik Lundqvist. Steve Valiquette, who appeared in three games at Madison Square Garden last season, has the edge over Al Montoya, who posted a good season with the Hartford Wolfpack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, but nothing is yet set in stone.

Also battling for more time in camp and an eventual blueshirt were rookies like defensemen Marc Staal and Michael Sauer. Staal, the Rangers’ first-round pick in 2005, looked impressively physical and attuned to the ice, going after pucks and banging into anyone in his path. Renney was impressed with the increased strength and abilities Staal has developed since his time at camp prior to last season.

“He continues to be a good puck mover, a sensible puck mover. Marc is just more mature.”

The addition of Sauer or Staal could boost the Rangers’ struggling defensive corps, though it’s unclear what other fixes exist. Darius Kasparaitis came into camp looking to demonstrate somewhat renewed vigor and speed, though he may be destined for waivers regardless.

The first few days of camp are designed to allow rookies to show off, allow coaches to try out combinations, and allow everyone to speculate on who and what the season will bring. So far, with an abundance of eager talent, and two big names who seem to be fitting in smoothly, most of the speculation is positive – even from the inside.

“There wasn’t too much I didn’t like,” said Renney. “I’m really impressed by the attitude and general feel.”