Bantering Points: 9/25/17

With only two more pre-season games remaining, time is running out for players like Andrew Desjardins and Bobby Farnham to show Alain Vigneault what they can do if given the proper playing time. Those two will need electric performances over the final two games in order to earn the roster spots they'll probably get handed anyway. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Brett Cyrgalis highlights Cristoval Nieves as one of the Rangers' young forwards in the mix for a roster spot (NY Post)
• Cyrgalis also noted that in spite of a major roster shakeup, Alain Vigneault has not lowered expectations for his team (NY Post)
• Justin Tasch heard from Mika Zibanejad about's mindset know that he's under contract for the long haul (NY Daily News)
• Steve Zipay reports that Andrew Desjardins will have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety today for checking New Jersey Devils forward Miles Wood in the head (Newsday)
• Justin Starr simulated a full season for the team in NHL 18 (Blue Line Station)
• John Williams previews Brendan Smith and what the hard-nosed, gritty, edgy, locker room leader can bring in his first full season on Broadway (Blue Line Station)
• Shayna Goldman previews the Blueshirts' offense (FanRag)
• In a must-read piece, Anthony Scultore offers his thoughts on Don La Greca's tirade about the rise of analytics in sports (Full Tilt)/

Around the NHL:

• Former Montreal Canadiens' forward Maurice Richard was awarded an assist yesterday on a goal scored by Toe Blake on November 4, 1945 (TSN)
• Sonny Sachdeva lists five players on professional tryouts to keep an eye on as final cuts loom around the league (Sportsnet)
• Craig Morgan gives his picks for the NHL's slate of awards for the 2017-18 season (FanRag)
• James O'Brien recaps the St. Louis Blues 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins from Kraft Hockeyville USA (NBC Sports)/

Do you know who the former Ranger in the picture is?