Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Highlights: NYI 7, NYR 2 (3:56 video via NHL.com)
• Game Recap: Rangers fans got an up close and personal look at what made Ryan Gropp such an enticing option to the team’s scouting staff with the 41st selection of the 2015 draft (CBS)
• Larry Brooks sees that the Blueshirts know what their biggest weakness is (NY Post)
• Laura Albanese highlights how blood clots have become an alarming trend among NHL players (Newsday)
• Rick Nashtag breaks down why the Rangers have been struggling for the past three and a half months (Again I’m Right In My Analysis)
• Pat Keogh hands Jeff Gorton his mid-season report card (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Nicholas Zararis examines which of the team’s players would be best suited for the All-Star Game’s skill competitions (Blue Line Station)
• Neal Purcell speculates on possible replacements for Alain Vigneault (Elite Sports NY)
• Frank Curto reminisces on six memorable moments form the Rangers-Islanders rivalry (Elite Sports NY)
• Media Availability: Alain Vigneault,(2:54) Henrik Lundqvist,(2:32) Rick Nash,(1:35) and Ryan McDonagh (2:02) (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Sean Leahy reports that Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson has requested a trade (NBC Sports)
• Damien Cox discusses the problems with Evander Kane and the Buffalo Sabres’ decision to shop him (Sportsnet)
• Montreal Canadiens’ forward Philip Danault was stretchered off the ice after taking a slapshot to the head from Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (TSN)/