Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Brett Cyrgalis details why Kaapo Kakko won’t be starting his NHL career on the Rangers’ primary power play unit (NY Post)
• Cyrgalis also notes that Brendan Smith’s versatility has not only won him a roster spot, but ice time in the team’s home opener as well (NY Post)
• Steve Serby chatted with Jacob Trouba ahead of his Blueshirts’ debut later tonight (NY Post)
• Colin Stephenson writes that a bevy of new faces in the locker room have brought a new sense of optimism for New York’s season (Newsday)
• Sean Hartnett makes his predictions for the Rangers, and the league at large (WFAN)
• Vincent Mercogliano lists five keys to a successful season for the Blueshirts (LoHud)
• Andrew Steele-Davis hypes up the final hours leading up to the season opener (Blue Line Station)
• Frank Curto believes that Filip Chytil’s demotion to AHL Hartford was the right decision (Elite Sports NY)
• Curto also argues that keeping Chris Kreider in the fold beyond this season is a necessity for the Rangers (Elite Sports NY)
• $hayna Goldman pinpoint$ the number of $tart$ Henrik Lundqvi$t $hould make thi$ $ea$on (The Athletic)
• Media Availability: David Quinn,(8:39) Mika Zibanejad,(2:12) Henrik Lundqvist,(3:22) Jacob Trouba,(2:08) and Kaapo Kakko (1:13) (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• The Sports Network announced that they’ve agreed to terms with analyst Bob McKenzie on a five year contract extension (TSN)
• Prior to their 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced John Tavares as the 25th captain in franchise history (Pension Plan Puppets)
• After seeing his on-ice career end due to a degenerative disk disease, Ottawa Senators’ forward Ryan Callahan is staying involved in the game via an analyst position with the NHL Network (NBC Sports)
• Elliotte Friedman authors another edition of 31 Thoughts (Sportsnet)
• Matt Larkin lists the top ten Calder Memorial Trophy candidates (The Hockey News)/