The competition for the spot on the left side of the third defense pair will be a major focus when the Eastern Conference finalist Rangers hit the ice on Thursday for the first day of training camp. Barring a late veteran addition either by tryout or via waivers, the role figures to come down to Libor Hajek, Zac Jones or Matt Robertson.

But I am also keenly interested in how the Blueshirts aim to fill the right wing on the Mika Zibanejad-Chris Kreider first-line connection in the wake of Frank Vatrano’s free-agent exit to Anaheim.

I kind of doubt Gerard Gallant intends to keep the Alexis Lafreniere-Filip Chytil-Kaapo Kakko Kid Line intact, even though that would be my preference. Heck, the head coach broke them up for the elimination Game 6 against Tampa Bay in order to shoehorn Dryden Hunt — a healthy scratch for the previous 16 contests — into the lineup.

Hence, chances are that Lafreniere, whose 25 games up with Zibanejad and Kreider last season were the most of any winger, will get the first crack at the plum assignment. Yes, it will mean a permanent switch to his off-wing for the lefty shooter who will turn 21 on Oct. 11, the day the season opens against the Lightning at the Garden, but it seems to me that the issue has been way overblown.