Bantering Points: 7/27/26

Here are today's news and links:

From Blueshirt Banter:

Phil Kocher talks about the trade rumors around Vladislav Gavrikov, Alberts Smits, and more (BSB)

Rangers News:

Lucas Standel tries to predict the Rangers' opening night roster for the 2026-27 season (THW)

Tom Urtz Jr. makes the case that J.T. Miller is the player the Rangers need for their top six (Blue Line Station)

Nick Ziegler explains why the Blueshirts' power play could be elite throughout next season (Sports Illustrated)

Nick Ziegler analyzes why defenseman Braden Schneider won't be worth his contract extension (Sports Illustrated)

Around the NHL:

The Columbus Blue Jackets have not received phone calls recently on forward Kirill Marchenko (TSN)

Here is a prediction of what Team Russia will look like at the 2027 All-Star game (NHL.com)

Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho took the Stanley Cup home to Finland to celebrate his victory (NHL.com)

Here is a tracker of which 2026 first-round picks have signed their entry-level contracts (NHL.com)