Ryan McDonagh gets praise from John Tortorella

Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who on Wednesday is expected to be named to the U.S. team for September’s World Cup of Hockey, received an endorsement Monday from his once and future coach, Columbus’ John Tortorella.

“When we [the Rangers] first got him, we knew that [the potential] was there,” said former Rangers coach Tortorella, who will coach the U.S. team. “When he first came in, he didn’t say a word. He respected the hierarchy, as far as how you handle yourself in the locker room. And he’s just grown, and now he’s the captain of the Rangers . . . I couldn’t be happier for that, because he’s such a great kid. I just hope he isn’t that way tonight.”

Yandle happy to stay put

Keith Yandle wasn’t traded and was relieved by the endorsement. “Kind of a weight off the shoulders, probably more so for my wife and kids,” said the defenseman, who will be a free agent this summer. “To know the organization believes in me and likes having me around, it meant a lot.”

Yandle, who arrived from Arizona at last season’s deadline, leads the team in assists with 31.

Asked if he’d like to stay in New York, Yandle said, “Yeah, I hope so . . . I love playing here.”

Blue lines

With the flu sidelining Jesper Fast, defenseman Dylan McIlrath played as a forward for the first time in the NHL. He had played defense for 31 games and in the AHL . . . The Garden paid tribute to former captain Andy Bathgate, who died at 83 Friday, with a video tribute and moment of silence before the game.