Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Larry Brooks sees David Quinn’s decision to shuffle the defensive pairings as a challenge to Ryan Lindgren (NY Post)
• Brooks also heard from Henrik Lundqvist about the connection he felt he shared with the late Kobe Bryant (NY Post)
• Colin Stephenson relays word that Igor Shesterkin and Henrik Lundqvist will start tonight and tomorrow’s contests against the Detroit Red Wings respectively (Newsday)
• Sean Hartnett argues that the upcoming trade deadline represents yet another crossroads in New York’s rebuild (WFAN)
• Andrew Steele-Davis notes that the Blueshirts can’t afford to follow their heart when it comes to Chris Kreider’s pending free agency (Blue Line Station)
• Steve Paulus suggests that the Rangers are lacking a bit when it comes to trade deadline leverage (Blue Line Station)
• Scott Blair examines the possibility of Jeff Gorton making a move to acquire Dustin Byfuglien from the Winnipeg Jets (The Hockey Writers)
• Rick Carpiniello break$ down how the Blue$hirt$ can $till claw their way back to the playoff$ (The Athletic)
• Ed Stein lists six potential trade partners for Chris Kreider (Empire Writes Back)/

Around the NHL:

• Erika Towne reports that San Jose Sharks’ forward Tomas Hertl will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee (Fear The Fin)
• Mark Spector juxtaposes the four year, $12.8 million contract extension Zack Kassian signed with the Edmonton Oilers with some comparables (Sportsnet)
• Steven Ellis tells us why the Chicago Blackhawks could be the league’s most intriguing teams as the trade deadline draws near (The Hockey News)
• The league has launched an investigation into allegations of the Arizona Coyotes conducting fitness tests with draft eligible CHL prospects (TSN)/