Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Larry Brooks expresses his opinion on the Blueshirts’ opening foray into free agency (NY Post)
• Mollie Walker hears that the process of getting Alexis Lafreniere signed to an entry-level contract was a walk in the park (NY Post)
• Colin Stephenson relays word from the team’s decision makers on signing Jack Johnson and not signing Jesper Fast (Newsday)
• Sean Hartnett believes that the Rangers will rue their decision to let Fast leave for Carolina (WFAN)
• Andrew Steele-Davis lists four gritty players that could plug one of the gaping holes in New York’s forward depth chart (Blue Line Station)
• Steve Paulus reminisces on the late, great Johnny Bower’s time as a Broadway Blueshirt (Blue Line Station)

Around the NHL:

• Danny Webster relays word that the Vegas Golden Knights agreed to a seven year, $61.6 million contract with defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (Knights On Ice)
• The New York Islanders traded defenseman Devon Toews to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a pair of second round picks in the 2021 and 2022 Entry Drafts (Lighthouse Hockey)
• The Montreal Canadiens agreed to a four year, $17 million contract with forward Tyler Toffoli (TSN)
• Josh Beneteau heard from Buffalo Sabres’ forward Taylor Hall about his decision to sign a one year, $8 million contract with the team (Sportsnet)