Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Colin Stephenson writes that with Alexis Lafreniere’s acquisition, the rebuild continues to chug along (Newsday)
• Vincent Mercoglianio discusses how the Rangers lucked out by snagging Evan Vierling with their 5th round selection in the 2020 Entry Draft (LoHud)
• Sean Hartnett shoots down any rumors of the Blueshirts shipping Vitali Kravtsov to the Pittsburgh Penguins (WFAN)
• Jim Bay describes how New York’s decision to hold Lafreniere back from participating in the upcoming World Junior Championships has made folks up north a wee bit upset with the team (Empire Sports Media)
• Brian Abate highlights Jacob Trouba and Brendan Lemieux as two players who will improve upon last season’s performance (The Hockey Writers)

Around the NHL:

• Travis Yost breaks down how the evolution of the league’s defenseman has resulted in more offense overall (TSN)
• Adam Gretz ponders the possibility of the Nashville Predators extending an offer sheet to a restricted free agent (NBC Sports)
• Ryan Dixon lists five trades in recent years that have seen their perception flip since the trade went down (Sportsnet)