The Rangers are so adamant about making sure they have some grit in their organization that they were nearing a two-way deal for the pugilistic Micheal Haley on Monday afternoon. The 33-year-old winger who has previously played for the Rangers and Islanders during a 248-game career that includes 637 penalty minutes was in training camp on a professional tryout.

After a rough-and-tumble preseason finale against the Islanders in Bridgeport, Conn., on Saturday night, it seemed like the need for the physical edge Haley brings was reinforced — especially with all the young, skillful players the Rangers will have at both levels.

“You just look at Saturday night, and some of the different types of things you need in hockey,” general manager Jeff Gorton said. “He brings a different blend of something we need more of. His competitive edge, and his ability to warm the ice and maybe change the complexion or make a difference with a check or being physical.

“So just having that guy in the organization, a guy like Micheal, I think will help us — our team, our kids, our group.”

Haley played 19 games for the Sharks last season, and played nine games for the Rangers in 2012-13, the final year with John Tortorella behind the bench.

Brendan Smith made the roster despite there being a strong possibility he could have been placed on waivers and then sent to AHL Hartford to start the season, thus saving a little bit of money on the salary cap. But Smith’s ability to play both defense and forward seemingly kept him on the team, his deal carrying an annual $4.35 million cap charge that goes through next season.

“He’s had a good camp,” Gorton said. “For a team working around some cap issues here and there, he provides a little flexibility for both those positions.”

Rookie winger Kaapo Kakko was one of three players to change his number upon learning they officially made the team. Kakko went from No. 45 to 24, while Lias Andersson went from No. 50 to 28, and defenseman Libor Hajek went from No. 43 to 25.

It seemed like David Quinn had his opening-night lines ready to go, with Brett Howden in the middle of the third line between Vladislav Namestnikov and Jesper Fast, while Andersson centered a fourth line with Greg McKegg and Brendan Lemieux.

Defenseman Tony DeAngelo missed practice due to the death of his grandfather, but it seems his spot next to Marc Staal was also set.

Impressive 21-year-old defenseman Tarmo Reunanen, a fourth-round pick in 2016, was loaned back to Lukko in the Finnish Elite League.

Veteran defenseman Joe Morrow was released from his professional tryout and became an unrestricted free agent.