Coming into this year's training camp as one of the bigger question marks in terms of an opening night roster spot, Mats Zuccarello knew he needed to impress if he wanted a shot at a starting role. 

He can probably check that box off his to do list. 

Zuccarello has probably been the Rangers best player during this European stint, and is proving he might be poised for a fantastic year this season. Critics might point towards the bigger ice surface as the reason behind his success, but I don't buy it. 

His goal Sunday was from the outer slot, putting home a brilliant Brad Richards feed from the point into the back of the net. Both his assists in the win over Frolunda came from in close, highlighted by his behind the net dish to a streaking Michael Del Zotto who put his shot off the post and into the back of the net for a beautiful goal. 

Join me after the jump for more analysis on Zuccarello.

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Some news trickling out of Europe today where John Tortorella was much happier with his team's practicing, according to reports. Something he couldn't have been happy about, however, was Brian Boyle needing to be sent home with the flu. 

Hopefully the Rangers caught it early enough so that Bole won't be infecting anyone else on the trip. It's not that the Rangers don't have the bodies in case the illness does spread, they do, but it's a situation the team obviously wants to avoid. 

In better news, Sean Avery, who gashed his big toe blocking a shot against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, skated today in practice for the Rangers. Like it or not, Avery is fighting for a spot as well this year, so it's good news that he can get back onto the ice and play. 

One of the players he's fighting with is Mats Zuccarello, who's really been impressive for the Rangers in camp thus far. Join me after the jump for more. 

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Before we get into the Winter Classic, which will be announced at 1:30 EST today, we should take a look at which spots are really up for grabs as of right now. 

In order to do that, we need to see who has their spot pretty much guaranteed. Here are those players when it comes to forwards (I'm just speculating on the line combinations): 

Wojtek Wolski-Brad Richards-Marian Gaborik

Brandon Dubinsky-Derek Stepan-Ryan Callahan

Brandon Prust-Artem Anisimov-Ruslan Fedotenko

??????-Brian Boyle-Mike Rupp

Now there are five players who have a shot at the open position: Erik Christensen, Sean Avery, Mats Zuccarello, Dale Weise and Ryan Bourque. Although, as of right now, it's a race between Christensen, Avery and Zuccarello; but that can always change. 

Join me after the jump for more. 

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The New York Rangers have made their first round of cuts. A few surprises are on the list, highlighted by Pavel Valentenko. Valentenko probably wouldn't be on this list if it weren't for his performance last night, but that's the way training camp goes sometimes. 

Erik Christensen will get one more opportunity to prove he belongs, despite a rough preseason thus far. He better make the most of his chances, however, because Mats Zuccarello is having a heck of a camp. 

Although many would have liked to see Christian Thomas make the squad, his game simply isn't ready yet. After one more year of seasoning at the OHL level, however, he's going to make a huge splash next year. And while this year's first round pick, J.T. Miller, got cut, he proved that he was a great first round pick who can be a special player someday. 

Good to see Ryan Bourque, Tim Erixon, Dylan McIlrath and Carl Hagelin survive the first round of cuts as well. 

A full list of who got cut and who survived below. 

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According to the tweets of Larry Brooks, the New York Rangers plan on bringing 31 players to Europe after next Monday's preseason tilt against Philadelphia. According to Brooks, the Rangers will bring six lines, five defensive pairings and three goaltenders. 

For the prospects trying to make the team, it's crucial they preform well this next week. Because the Rangers are heading to Europe, the showcase time is reduced pretty drastically. A few of the prospects looked good yesterday, remember they were going up against most of the New Jersey Devils' starters this year, but it's going to take more than just "looking good" to make it to Europe. 

It was a mixed bad for the Rangers' prospects last night, so join me after the jump while we sort things out. 

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Today's scrimmage consisted of Henrik Lundqvist's White team, facing off against the Green team and Marty Biron. The white lines were as follows, Michael St. Croix - Matt Rust - Scott Tanski, Mike Rupp - Brian Boyle - Dale Weise, Jason Wilson - Kris Newbury - Collin Bowman

Along with the lines for team green, Callahan - Anisimov - Dubinsky, Sean Avery, John Mitchell, JT Miller, Andrew Yogan, Kale Kerbashian, Jordan Hickmott. Artem Anisimov and the "pack line" gave Green an early 1-0 lead. It was a pretty quiet game until we reached the second period.

Right off the bat, Kris Newbury and Samuel Noreau dropped the gloves after a scrum in front of Lundqvist. Almost instantly after, Avery and Wilson decided to drop them as well. According to multiple beat rights, Wilson got the upper hand on Avery.

Follow after the jump for more.

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According to a report on ESPN New York, the New York Rangers have expressed some interest in defenseman Paul Mara. Mara, who rejected a tryout contract with the New York Islanders earlier in the offseason, is a player familiar with John Totorella and the team; having played in over 156 games as a Ranger. 

This can be taken as a sign that the Rangers are worried about the condition of Marc Staal's post-concussion syndrome, and might be looking for a veteran defenseman to help hold down the fort if the Rangers lost Staal for a portion of the season. 

The interest in Mara might also just be a safety net since both Staal and Mike Sauer have dealt with injuries this offseason. This move could just be a precaution, so there is absolutely no reason to assume Staal is going to miss a big chunk of the season. 

Either way, Mara's agent told ESPN New York that the defenseman will not be signing a tryout contract; which might diminish the Rangers' interest quite a but, since there is a logjam at defense already. 

More when we know it. Thoughts guys?

Just as it started to get a little brighter, regarding Marc Staal's injury, the clouds flew over once again. Marc Staal was not present during the after scrimmage workouts, earlier this afternoon. It appears that Staal arrived not feeling to well, and Tortorella sent him home as a precaution.

Obviously the lingering effects of the concussion are still present, and the Rangers are taking every sort of precaution. Tortorella said they will have to take it day by day, to assess his condition. He also stated that Staal did not need any pre-season games to get ready for the season opener in Stockholm.

According to Torts, the Rangers have continuously been searching for a veteran defenseman. Although, apparently the search began even before Staal's setback. The defenseman could either come via trade, or on a tryout basis. While another defenseman would be nice, we still have plenty of young talent to fill the roles, like Del Zotto or Valentenko.

We will keep you guys up to date on what happens with Staal. For right now, the signs are not looking so good. Aside from that, the lines for Wednesday's pre-season game will be released after tomorrow's practice.