Rangers give Juuso Parssinen significant chance to anchor third line, Sullivan says
New coach Mike Sullivan outlines plan to use Parssinen as centerpiece of a defensively responsible third line as Mika Zibanejad starts the season with J.T. Miller in the top six; Parssinen signed a two-year contract.
The New York Rangers plan to give Juuso Parssinen a significant chance to win the third-line center job as training camp opens, under new head coach Mike Sullivan. Sullivan has laid out a clear framework for a third line that can provide a reliable, defensively responsible presence while contributing to momentum shifts.
With Mika Zibanejad expected to start the season on the right wing of J.T. Miller in the top six, the Blueshirts need a trusted option to anchor the third line and handle defensive-zone starts against top-six opponents. Parssinen, 24, signed a two-year contract with the Rangers this summer and is moving into a high-stakes competition for the role.
“I think the third line has the ability to create an identity amongst our team where we can rely on that line for conscientious play,” Sullivan said at the start of training camp. “And what I mean by that is, can they get defensive zone starts against another team’s top line? If they lose the draw, can they be reliable and trustworthy to defend hard and limit our opponent’s offense? Do they have the ability to drive the puck down the ice and create momentum and control territory for us so that we could potentially set up our offensive guys for success in the offensive zone?”
Parssinen has shown versatility in his pro career and is expected to be given the opportunity to win the job rather than one being handed to him. The Rangers have long sought a third-line identity that can keep pace with the pace of the modern NHL, enabling their top two lines to focus on producing offense while the third line stabilizes the defensive end and creates favorable matchups.
In previous seasons, the Rangers have cycled through options on the third line without a consistent anchor, creating a mismatch that opponents could exploit. The plan to push Parssinen into a featured role signals a shift in a roster-building approach that prioritizes two-way efficiency and responsible zone starts. As camp progresses, Parssinen will be evaluated against other internal candidates and players who can contribute in both ends of the ice.