Tanner Glass not feeling any pressure in Rangers rebuild in new development role

The backdrop throughout the morning before Tanner Glass’ first news conference as director of player development was fitting.A final day of the Rangers development camp had recently wrapped.

Their prospects — from the top ones who will push for NHL spots this season to others who may be a couple of years away — had just filtered off the ice.Head coach Mike Sullivan had been in attendance for the Thursday session at the Tarrytown practice facility, too.Glass, a Ranger from 2014-17 who skated in 527 NHL games, has been tasked with shaping the potential of those prospects and feeding them to Sullivan, ensuring that they turn into sustainable pieces at the next level, and preventing them from becoming the next flameouts and what-ifs.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.

The stakes are high as the Rangers retool, with an influx of prospects in exchange for veterans dealt away, but Glass isn’t fazed.“I don’t think pressure’s the right word,” said Glass, who had been an assistant director for the last seven years.“At least, that’s not how I look at it.

It’s exciting for us.When we get guys that are talented, it’s exciting.”When Jed Ortmeyer left his director of player development role, president and general manager Chris Drury opted for an in-house promotion.

Glass suddenly became a critical piece of their quest to become a contender again.He inherited the Rangers’ recent Achilles heel, with a need for at least some of these prospects to fit into their long-term plan.The Rangers’ spotty development history looms as Glass’ tenure begins.

Brennan Othmann was dumped to the Flames in March.Brett Berard was flipped for defensive prospect William Trudeau.

Kaapo Kakko and Vitali Kravtsov both underwhelmed before getting traded in past seasons.Alexis Lafrenière hasn’t yet turned glimpses of high-end potential into consistency.�...