Bantering Points: 10/4/23

Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

Larry Brooks notes that as a result of his underwhelming performance throughout training camp, where Alexis Lafreniere will start the season is still up in the air (NY Post)

Brooks also details how the Blueshirts have been adjusting to the defensive aspects of the system Peter Laviolette as installed (NY Post)

Colin Stephenson relays word that Artemiy Panarin and Mika Zibanejad are expected to spend time on the same forward line in the early portion of the season (Newsday)

Brian Abate writes that Panarin maintaining his usual, strong regular season from into the playoffs would do a lot for New York’s championship hopes (The Hockey Writers)

$hayna Goldman ponder$ whether or not Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko are capable of taking a major leap and blo$$oming into the $uper$tar$ they were once projected to become (The Athletic)

Around the NHL:

Former Ranger Derek Stepan announced his retirement from the league at age 33 (TSN)

As much as fans are hyped up for the arrival of Connor Bedard to the NHL, his fellow players around the league are also excited to see how he performs (Sportsnet)