Boyle on pressure joining Rangers; Prospects on the way
Today's New York Rangers notes.
Hang on, folks, we'll soon enough be out of hockey purgatory. Until then, Glen Sather and co. have a few things left to finish, like the sixth defenseman spot (likely John Moore, at a cheap price, as he's not arbitration eligible), and the situation surrounding Marc Staal. While it's difficult to forecast how exactly how the latter will play out, it' safe to say Sather likely learned his lesson when it comes to entering the regular season without resolving a contract dispute. The team did just after all watch Henrik Lundqvist play the worst hockey of his career, trade away the franchise's most beloved player since Brian Leetch (and somehow fleece Tampa Bay in the process?), and inexplicably pay Dan Girardi way too much money.
All of the above are excellent reasons for Sather to hammer out a Staal solution before hockey officially begins. And now, your morning notes.
Dan Boyle knows there will be plenty of pressure joining the Rangers, from being under the scrupulous New York lights, to the expectations being set for the blue liner. [Newsday] [Pro Hockey Talk]
The Rangers will attempt to build on last year's successful season with largely the same cast of characters. But in the near future, some high-end, young talent could be on the way. [Blueshirt Banter]