Blue Notes

1.  Tortorella says rookie Chris Kreider is fighting for a roster spot, but adds that he had a very good day.  Doesn't think Kreider has any illusions that a spot is locked up. Has "gifts", especially speed, but needs to improve whole game.

2.  Brad Richards out for second day with flu, so lines are muddled again. Torts says he would like him here, but not  "major...

Short camp. Experiments continue.

If Brad Richards is back from his bout with the flu, perhaps we'll get a look at lines to perhaps start, and I underline START, the season.

We know Richards'll be with Rick Nash, and perhaps Carl Hagelin.

RW Marian Gaborik was on the left of Derek Stepan and Ryan Callahan yesterday.

Kreider-Boyle-Pyatt was 3. Rupp-Halpern-Asham was 4.

Dollars...

First of all,  word is that Michael Del Zotto's reps still negotiating with Sather.  We'll know more in the morning if he's in for physicals and on-ice testing conditioning.

On the sked:

Not horrible.

14 of first 21 at MSG.

As tweeted, only six back-to-backs; Flyers, Devils have 10, in comparison.

One four game road trip, March 10 to 16. Washington, Buffalo,...

2012-2013 REGULAR SEASON - New York Rangers PRINT › DATE VISITING TEAM HOME TEAM TIME NETWORK/RESULT   Sat Jan 19, 2013 NY Rangers Boston 7:00 PM ET NHLN-US TICKETS› Sun Jan 20, 2013 Pittsburgh NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET NHLN-US TICKETS› Wed Jan 23, 2013 Boston NY Rangers 7:30 PM ET NBCSN TICKETS› Thu Jan 24, 2013 NY Rangers Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET NHLN-US TICKETS› Sat Jan 26, 2013 Toronto NY Rangers...

I should've known better.

After staying up all night at the Sofitel Hotel last Saturday night, thought this Saturday would be a breeze: Players end voting at 8 a.m.---we were told---sides finish up and sign of on memo of understanding, release schedules and camps open Sunday

Sounds easy,  especially since NHL BOG ratified deal on Wednesday afternoon.

I should've known better.

Nothing...

- The Players’ ratification vote of CBA begins tonight at 8 ET

- The ratification voting window will be open for 36 hours, concluding Saturday at 8 a.m. ET.

- The secret ballots will be conducted electronically.

- The NHLPA will issue a media release Saturday morning at 8 am

- If ratified, NHL training camps will open Sunday, with the regular season beginning on Jan. 19

Commissioner...

Filed some possibilities on here early Wednesday (NYR-Isles or Devs, or Bs or Caps) , way before BOG, but as night wore on, and schedules came into shape (was told by a team they had heard three different things in 36 hours and a league person suggested at least two scenarios), Boston.com cited Bruins source as NYR vs Bs at 7 p.m.

I was told not definite, that things were changing and could...

Read back on Steve Zipay's Thursday afternoon chat with Rangers fans.

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=dcd0ebf2f6" _cke_saved_href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=dcd0ebf2f6" >Rangers chat with...

The BOG meets at about 2, Bettman presser at 4. Stay tuned for info on that later.

First, I'll spend the morning at Rangers skate. Hope to speak with Marian Gaborik, last time was when he skated in Staten Island for the Sandy benefit. As you know, we've reported----and Torts confirmed---that's he's completely recovered from June shoulder surgery.

Still no definitive word on Rangers sked,...

You know why Rangers fans---and the media---appreciate Henrik Lundqvist? No, not just because he's a perennial Vezina Trophy candidate---and winner, last season. He's as straightforward and pleasant as possible given the spotlight on him. 

Today, he offered a dose of reality on the start of the season.

After a hour-plus skate with about 16 teammates. Lundqvist, sitting at his locker,...