Change at assistant coach; J.T. Miller's role; Marc Staal's contract talks

The calendar flipped to a new month, meaning we're closer(!) to some actual hockey. While it didn't make the notes, Rangers goalie prospect and 2014 second round draft pick Brandon Halverson is at Lake Placid with USA Hockey for their evaluation camp. Halverson was the winning goalie in Team USA's 2-1 win Sunday in a game over Finland, stopping all eight shots he saw in just over 30 minutes of work. Probably the only physical hockey related thing to keep your eye on right now. Here are your morning notes.

While the Rangers have been putting most of their efforts toward re-upping its group of restricted free agents. And while Marc Staal is also on the to-do list when it comes to new a contract, those talks have been delayed. [NY Post]

While Alain Vigneault expected to get his full staff back for the upcoming season, Dan Lacriox was poached by the Canadiens, and will be headed to Montreal next season. [Blueshirts Blog] [Ranger Rants]

And with that vacancy created by Lacriox leaving, the Rangers are expecting to hire Darryl Williams. [Blueshirt Banter]

There comes a time in a young player's career when he needs professional reps to continue to develop. For J.T. Miller, that time is now. [Blueshirt Banter]

New York native and Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown was delivered a package with a special message from a FedEx worker. So Brown took to Twitter to respond. [NY Post]