Of note

Walked over to Alexei Semenov's locker today and the big Russian just shrugged his shoulders and said he had nothing to tell me. GM Glen Sather said the same thing when I asked him during practice whether there was anything to report in signing Semenov to a contract. He's still here on a tryout, though coach John Tortorella said he was including him in the 22 on the roster. Sather did say Semenov could start the season on a tryout contract.

Most likely, the Rangers are waiting to see what names pop up on the waiver wire. For instance, Vancouover waived veteran Brad Lukowich, who played for Tortorella with the Lightning. But Lukowich is due $1.6 million this season, way too much for the Rangers. That same goes for defenseman Randy Jones ($2.8 million), who was waived by the Flyers.
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Also spoke to defenseman Dan Girardi, who said being called out by Tortorella after Sunday's 4-3 preseason loss at Washington for having a disappointing preseason and needing to do a lot of work this week did not bother him. In fact, Girardi agreed that his decision making needs to get quicker and perhaps he was getting too comfortable in his play.

As for Michael Del Zotto, Tortorella said keeping the 19-year-old on the roster - the Rangers have nine games in which to return him to his junior club - had nothing to do with wanting a longer look at him or with the fact that they can't send him to Hartford (AHL).

"Right now, he's made the club," Tortorella said. "Based on his play, he's made the team. It has nothing to do with minors or juniors."

On other topics, Tortorella said:

- He hadn't made a decision yet on alternate captains, though he will by Friday's opener. My picks would be Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik.

- He hasn't ruled out Sean Avery for Friday but acknowledged Avery would need to skate a few times beforehand. Avery was in the weight room today riding a bike, which is a slight indication the stiffness in his sprained right knee may have decreased a bit. Tortorella said there was still the possibility Avery could skate tomorrow, though he didn't sound very convincing. Then, told by the media it sounded like Avery was out for the Penguins game, Tortorella replied, "Yeah, that's your opinion, you can write it. Just don't quote me on it."

- Tortorella discussed his desire to shield Henrik Lundqvist from too many outside distractions this season to keep him fresher for the playoffs. Lundqvist is very media friendly and Tortorella said he'd like his goalie not to have to talk to us as much. But Lundqvist also does a lot of community work.

Speaking of which, Lundqvist will be one of the Rangers doing the David Letterman Top 10 list tomorrow.

It's sort of hush-hush which Rangers are involved but I think we can make an educated guess here if 10 players are participating: Lundqvist, Avery, Marian Gaborik, Brandon Dubinsky, Christopher Higgins, Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan, Marc Staal, Matt Gilroy, Donald Brashear.

Finally, forward lines for the day (defense pairs still rotating with seven on the ice)

Vinny Prospal-Brandon Dubinsky-Marian Gaborik

Christopher Higgins-Chris Drury-Ryan Callahan

Enver Lisin-Artem Anisimov-Ales Kotalik

Donald Brashear-Brian Boyle-Aaron Voros

Comments

[CP (Chris)]

Christoph Schubert is only owed $900k and has a heavy, heavy shot. Can play D and forward.

As far as my picks for A's: I'm torn between Staal and Callahan, but I think since Staal will have more TOI, you have to give it to him. Gaborik, while I'm not sure of his leadership skills, I think has to be the other since the success of the Rangers this season rides, considerably, on his back.

[Mark]

Schubert cleared waivers today, and was assigned to the Sens farm team.

[CP (Chris)]

Did he go on waivers today or yesterday? I just read a short clip...

[Mark]

I think it was yesterday this was on icechips from tsn this morning.

Christoph Schubert and Brian Lee were assigned to Binghamton of the AHL on Tuesday. - TSN

[CP (Chris)]

WOW, Brian Lee ,too? It's not as if they have THAT much depth on D. I thought Brian Lee was a solid defensemen...

[CP (Chris)]

Sorry, correction, Lee doesn't have to clear waivers. I'm pretty sure, at least. He's only 21 or 22...

[matty]

So happy for MDZ, even if he gets sent back after his 9th game he'll learn valuable experience and gain tremendous confidence

[twitter.com/akaHotWheelz]

I saw Ryan Callahan with an "A" on his jersey during the final preseason game versus Washington. I would guess that he will be one of the Assistant Captains. Part of me believes Dubinsky also deserves it over him, but to this point in time, Cally has played a lot harder on the ice even tho he isn't as vocal. Gaborik would probably get the other "A" just because of who he is naturally. As far as the lines thus far, I think that when Avery comes back, they will move Lisin to the 4th line and make Avery a 3rd line wing for now.

[Charles]

Schubert would be a nice pick up. He has size, versatility, a good shot and some snarl, which we really need.

[LI Joe]

i will b e very disappointed if dubi gets an A after holding out (and winning) through part of training camp. with cally, staal, gaborik, higgins, girardi we have more appropriate candidates.

also don't want rozy or redden getting letters as that would be like waiving a red flag in front of a bull - meaning antagonizing the fans.

[Dan LD]

I get the impression from interview footage I've seen this pre-season and from what I've read here and on the other beat writers' blogs that Torts is really standoffish with the media. That act is getting old already. Fans get to know the team better by reading what the beat reporters write, so maybe he could lighten up a bit.

[Charles]

You really should have 1 d'man with an A and the only one who even comes close to deserving one based on term of service and reliable play is Staal. Unfortunately though I'm not sure if he's the "type", nor am I sure if it would be good for his development at this time. Regardless, he would be my choice of the D'man.

Up front, you MUST give it to Callahan (even though he's playing on the same line as Drury right now) ... again based on the same reasoning as above. He comes to play every night and has some tenure ... not to mention that somewhere down the line he's a candidate for the C on Drury's sweater.

The alternate, as far as I'm concerned, should go to Avery. Why? Because. I just wonder what the affect would be on his game of giving Avery an "A" ... and what affect it would have on the referees in the league.

[CP (Chris)]

Completely agree, LI JOE. If Dubi get an A, it sends a message of player before team.

Charles, I agree with you, too. One D needs to represent the squad, hopefully, Staal, but I also think like you that he may not have the mentality for it, which isn't necessarily a knock on him since he gives 100% every night.

The only problem I have with Avery as an A is that his head isn't in the game every night. With everyone in the league going after him on a nightly basis and him already pleading his case, I think it might be beneficial for the team to have someone else to stick up for him. I also question Avery's in-depth knowledge of the game compared some of the other candidates the Rangers have.

[jerry]

i like the lines listed above i hope he keeps them together

[Charles]

Ha ha Chris, I agree with the assessment of Avery, but it would be an interesting "experiment" just to see how he and the referees react. I keep thinking that some day Avery will really get "IT".

[Doug]

You guys are hilarious. You don't give somebody a letter just because they play a certain position, the guys with letters on their jerseys should be your leaders no matter what position they play or how much TOI they have.

[Charles]

Doug, find me a team that doesn't pretty much do it that way and you'll find the exception, not the rule.

[graves9]

I believe Boyle and Voros make a combined 1.6 mill I'd waive em and bring in Lukowitch who adds snarl to the backline and is solid in his own end.

[graves9]

Joe when did Dubi whine? All I recall is Torts ripping his agent that's about it. I mean all he ever said was hope it gets done soon. Your hate for him is over the top my friend.

[CP (Chris)]

Great non-point, Doug. I'm pretty sure before we even mentioned these guys in other post discussion topics, we said these were the leaders on the team. Great input, though, saying the C and A's need to be leaders.

[LI Joe]

graves - don't hate him. hate the overhype by too many of the fans on the internet toward him. and giving him an A will just encourage the "he should be the future captain talk". if other young uns get it instead maybe some of the overhype will stop. love to see cally and staal get it instead.

and if dubi was as great as some think why did not one of the other 29 teams tender an offer sheet and try to steal him away like we stole your namesake many years ago.

[graves9]

You never answered my when did he whine question. Nobody offered Kessel an offersheet either and he's a far more productive at this stage. Sather has a couple of buds(Burke, Lowe) that won't make an offer sheet offer for any Ranger.

[graves9]

Also you didn't have to give up top picks for restricted free agents back when you sign them when they signed Gravy in '91. They gave up the Immortal Troy Mallette.

[LI Joe]

graves - they gave up mallette based on an arbitrators decision on what "fair compensation" would be. he could have chosen a different player or players instead.

[Coach Factory Outlet]

It can bring strangers closer to each other, turn estrangement into reconciliation, give hope to the disappointed and replace vexation with joy.