'No possibility' Avery plays vs. Pens

Sean Avery skated for a second straight day wearing a non-contact jersey (white this time, prefer the orange, go Syracuse) and even joined in some line rushes with rookie Artem Anisimov and right wing Ales Kotalik in place of Enver Lisin. Avery will make the trip to Pittsburgh and continue to attend all team meetings but Tortorella ruled him out for at least the season opener.

Also hard to see Avery playing Saturday against the Senators in the home opener but would suspect he'll participate in tomorrow's morning skate.

Also tomorrow, Tortorella will announce his alternate captains. Tortorella first will tell the team at their morning meeting - the coach does not believe in soliciting player opinion or votes on the matter and the decision has been rendered in conjuction with GM Glen Sather, and assistants Mike Sullivan and Jim Schoenfeld - before telling the media, most likely after tomorrow's morning skate.
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Otherwise this morning:

- Plenty of work on the power play during this morning's skate: Michael Del Zotto-Ales Kotalik, Marian Gaborik-Vinny Prospal-Ryan Callahan comprised the first unit.

- Henrik Lundqvist had a good day yesterday, first being part of the 10-man Ranger crew that taped the David Letterman Top 10, then attending Bruce Springsteen's show at Giants Stadium.

- Marc Staal said he, too, enjoyed shooting the Letterman bit, though I drew a chuckle from locker neighbor Wade Redden when I suggested that perhaps none of the 10 were going to jump right in and star in a sit-com. Staal said the players had a chance backstage to chat with Madonna and she seemed like a cool person.

- Tortorella wants the Rangers to watch the Penguins banner-raising ceremony before tomorrow night's game. The game is in the books for 7:30 p.m. but will start around 8 p.m. because of the ceremony.

"I think that's the NHL and I don't want to be disrespectful to what that trophy is," Tortorella said. "We'll be out there. I think it's a great thing, especially for the youth on our team."

Comments

[CP (Chris)]

Now, there's a couple for ya: Staal and Madonna...WOW.

I like Torts forcing the guys to be apart of the banner-raising ceremony, no matter how disgusting it is.

I have this strange feeling that Avery plays in the opener Saturday. I just can't see him missing that atmosphere; then again, it sounds like his injury was worse than reported.

[LI Joe]

well torts can force the team to watch the ceremony but he can't force the fans. and i will certainly skip it. find something else to watch until 8.

and while i won't boo outwardly on sat night i also won't cheer a few rangers including # 87 and # 6.

[CP (Chris)]

Well said!

[Keith]

Well put LI JOE. I also close my eyes as soon as that shot of crysby raising the cup comes on. I am definitely not watching that and now because of freakin Directv and Versus little spat over money I will probably not be able to see the game at all anyway. It's pathetic that they can't come to an agreement and the fans have to pay for it-greedy sobs. I will listen to it on the radio and hopefully NY can smack them in the opener regardless of the banner raising stuff. I don't like the fact that Avery isn't playing but I agree with many of you guys that posted you'd rather he be saved. It's only the first game of the season so it's better to hold him out. Let's go Rangers!!