Nothing definitive

On Sean Avery's status for Friday, that is. Neither John Tortorella (annoyed at the question) or Avery (he's taking it day by day) had any insight into whether he'd recover in time for the Rangers' season opener at Pittsburgh.

The Grate One skated in an orange non-contact jersey today and while he said he didn't push his sprained right knee too hard, he looked fairly mobile while skating on his own, taking some tight turns as he shot one-on-one against Henrik Lundqvist.

"It felt good," Avery said. "It's been about a week since I got on the ice (Sept. 21) so that's a good feeling for sure. We'll take tomorrow and see how it goes."
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As for some other items:

- Still no word on the Rangers offering defenseman Alexei Semenov, who's still working with the Rangers on a tryout basis, a one-year deal. NHL rosters are due this afternoon so there likely will be some waiver candidates. Wait and see.

- It was announced today that Yankee Stadium will host a bowl game sometime during the last week of 2010. Seems to me that seriously precludes the facility from hosting the 2011 Winter Classic.

- With Avery on the ice, everybody skated for the Rangers. Today's lines were the same as yesterday:
Vinny Prospal-Brandon Dubinsky-Marian Gaborik
Christopher Higgins-Chris Drury-Ryan Callahan
Enver Lisin-Artem Anisimov-Ales Kotalik
Donald Brashear-Brian Boyle-Aaron Voros

During a scrimmage portion of the practice, Michael Del Zotto took down Marian Gaborik as Gaborik went toward the net. Tortorella called for a penalty shot and Gaborik absolutely froze Henrik Lundqvist before beating him with a wrist shot. That's a good weapon to have in shootouts.

"He's got really quick hands and he disguises it well," Tortorella said. "You don't know if he's shooting or passing. It's always in front of him...This is why we got him...We needed a gamebreaker."

Aaron Voros went down hard along the left boards during line drills and took several seconds to regain his skates, before skating gingerly off the ice favoring his right leg. Voros returned for his line's next shift but he admitted he was nervous at first.

Comments

[CP (Chris)]

I want to see that third line play Friday and Saturday. That line might bring more fireworks than any other...

[JoeO]

I was thinking the same thing. Anisimov should not be a 4th line center when Avery gets back. Not sure how to make it all work but he can not be wasted on the 4th line with Voros and Brasher.

[NYRanger4Life]

JoeO -

Unfortunately when Avery gets back, Anisimov is destined for 4th line duties; at least at regular strength. If he stays on the 3rd line - its because there is either an injury or an underperforming vet, neither of which are appealing options.

Hopefully Torts gets him some PP & even PK time - but for the first time in a very, very long time - we actually have depth, which is working against AA.

I can see him playing between 9 and 11 minutes a night. At this point, IMO it's better than him playing in the AHL.

[CP (Chris)]

NYRANGER4LIFE, AA will probably also get a couple of shifts on other lines each period, assuming lack of penalties on both sides.

[CP (Chris)]

Off-topic, but how scary is this line for the Thrashers now: Kovalchuk-Antropov-Afinogenov.

[graves9]

Poor Kovalchuk. Antropov and Afigenov are motivated ogh about once a month. Those two guys should be so much better player than they are.

[graves9]

Pretty simple keep Prospal on the wing and have Anisimov center the 3rd line. Btw I would take the cautious approach with Avery and keep him out till next Thursday. No reason to rush him back so early in the season.

[Steph]

CP - Agreed...that line is scary.....esp. since all the gusy are on contract years....i think both Antropov and Afinogenov both signed one year only. Do you think Kovalchuk will stay in atlanta??? you would think they would have to promise him big names to stay on board to make it worth it for him ,no?

[Steph]

graves - who would you take out for avery's spot then? lisin?

[CP (Chris)]

Graves, Afinogenov is the inconsistent one out of the three. I will give Antropov the benefit of the doubt since the Toronto teams he played on weren't the best, and neither was the Rangers team last year.

I think the line is scary because they play a similar type of game, all being from Russia, and having played together before.

As far as Kovalchuk, Atlanta might as well relocate if they get rid of him...

[LI Joe]

let avery heal ist 3 games or so. its a long season and i'd rather a healthy body be in there. probably would also give a guy like AA a bit more time for a few games

[Charles]

Nik signed for 4 years ... but for the Thrashers, I don't like the fact they haven't signed IK yet.

[graves9]

Yeah the Antropov signing was ridiculous. 4 mill a year for a 50 point guy. Cp the Leafs made the playoffs I believe the first 4-5 years of Antropov's career. Steph when Avery comes back I would move Lisin to the 4th line and you can move him around the the lineup during the game. I think Anisimov offers more than Lisin.

[kovy927]

When Avery gets back. the smart thing to do would be sit the forward not playing well. I don't care who it is. Start the season off with the right message. Perform or you will sit. There is nothing better for a locker room than competition. Let's get everyone pushing.

[CP (Chris)]

3 years, and in one of the years, he only played half of the season; regardless, the 3 years before coming to NYR, they didn't go.

It will be easier to move, and/or platoon, AA than Lisin, especially if Boyle is sent to Hartford. Otherwise, you're looking at a scenario where Voros is centering the 4th line. If the 4th line was Brashear-Voros-Lisin, they would hardly see the ice, less than 4-5 minutes, just because the opposing team is going to put a more skilled line on the ice to match against that poor defensive line. At least, if Lisin has a line to corral his game, there is more stability in the lineup.

[graves9]

Boyle wouldn't go down when Avery returns Voros would.

[CP (Chris)]

I wish Voros would, but Boyle doesn't have to go through waivers, so I think Boyle and Grachev would be on stand-by in Hartford if another injury were to occur.

[Charles]

Antropov issues ... 1) soft for a big guy, 2) average defensively, 3) will never score more than 60-65 points and gets a lot of them on the PP --- although if he plays all year with IK, who knows, 4) you probably won't get a full season out of him, 5) obviously wanted a long-term deal, and 6) $4 million a year.

I'll take Kotalik for 3 years @ $3 million. A few less goals and points, more defensively responsible, can play the point on the PP, not injured often, soft for his size but harder than Nik.

Regarding lines, I don't have a problem rolling the 4 lines against certain teams --- the ones where you can sit Brashear. I also don't have a problem sitting a vet every now and then, especially during grueling stretches, for "cause" or for "no cause".

[graves9]

yeah but Voros carries a bigger cap number and with another year left on his contract and nobody will pick him up on waivers.

[CP (Chris)]

Voros is a guy I, actually, think will get picked up off waivers. I could see him picked up by a team like Panthers, Lightning, Stars, or Predators. I think he's awful, but I'm sure some could use his body around the net.

[graves9]

If they do it's a good thing obviously. The Bolts just put two big bodies on waivers(Hall, Craig) Teams wanna save cap room for in season trades., Doubt anyone has interest in Voros espicially at that price.

[LI Joe]

i would not worry about voros being claimed on regular waivers with 2 yrs left. definitely makes no sense to expose him to reentry waivers since half his remaining contract this yr and next would count vs our cap if claimed on reentry.

[CP (Chris)]

I still think he won't even get waived...