Happy birthday to Michael Strahan, Ken Griffey Jr, Ben Bishop, and me! Here are today’s news and links:
Rangers News:
- Game Recap: Multi-point nights from Artemiy Panarin, Kaapo Kakko, and Pavel Buchnevich propelled the Blueshirts past the league leading Capitals (CBS)
- Larry Brooks hears that Ryan Strome is expected to maintain his lineup spot upon Mika Zibanejad’s return (NY Post)
- Colin Stephenson sees that Chris Kreider has become an ideal fit for the Rangers’ second line duo of Filip Chytil and Pavel Buchnevich (Newsday)
- Stephenson also notes that Igor Shesterkin is flourishing in AHL Hartford as he awaits his opportunity on Broadway (Newsday)
- Daniel Blanda juxtaposes Kaapo Kakko’s rookie season with a handful of other recent top draft picks (Blue Line Station)
- Steve Paulus ponders if Panarin will be able to overcome the Bobby Holik/Chris Drury/Wade Redden curse (Blue Line Station)
- Jeb Biggart wonders what the next step in the Lias Andersson saga will be (The Hockey Writers)
- Frank Curto relays word that Jacob Trouba and Brady Skjei are set to appear on MSG Networks tomorrow night as they sat down for a potato chip tasting test (Elite Sports NY)
- Bryce Grundy recaps the Hartford Wofpack’s 3-1 defeat against the Syracuse Crunch (Official Team Site)
Around the NHL:
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have relieved Mike Babcock of his head coaching duties, and promoted Sheldon Keefe from AHL Toronto to replace him (Pension Plan Puppets)
- James O’Brien argues that in spite of a slow start to the season, the Calgary Flames can’t afford to sell low on forward Johnny Gaudreau (NBC Sports)
- Pierre LeBrun relays word that the NHLPA has filed a grievance on behalf of Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien in response to his team-issued suspension (TSN)
- Ian Oland reports that the St.