Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Larry Brooks discusses how the Kevin Hayes’ saga is coming to a head very soon (NY Post)
• Brooks also notes that Neal Pionk’s expected return to the lineup will bring back questions concerning how playing time should be split up among New York’s defense corps (NY Post)
• Dave Shapiro hands out report cards to the team’s defenseman (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Nicholas Zararis examines what the Blueshirts can learn by looking at the New York Islanders’ unexpected success this season (Blue Line Station)
• Zararis also pondered how things might have gone if the Rangers decided to keep Keith Yandle in the fold beyond 2016 (Blue Line Station)
• Jim Parsons theorizes about how the Rangers and Edmonton Oilers’ fates would have changed had they completed the rumored Ryan McDonagh<—>4th Overall selection swap at the 2016 Entry Draft (The Hockey Writers)
• Michael Obernauer recaps the action from the team’s first practice back from the All-Star break (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Ken Campbell notes that even though Erik Karlsson is enjoying his time as a San Jose Shark, the most important decision of his carer is quickly approaching (The Hockey News)
• With a league wide scoring increase happening, it’s not a surprise to see players posting hat tricks is becoming commonplace (NBC Sports)
• Josh Weinstein relays word that Florida Panthers’ prospect Anthony Greco was timed at 13.251 seconds at the AHL’s All-Star weekend, surpassing Connor McDavid’s record breaking pace (Sportsnet)
• Nearly a year after landing him at the trade deadline, the Winnipeg Jets could finally acquire Derick Brassard to bolster their center depth (TSN)/