Sunday Shift: Fix the road-warrior thing; Horak, Rozy

Pencil this in, right now, nah, make it ink. The front office shouldn't---and won't---play another exhausting six games in Europe next year. Yes, they'll likely have to be there because of the MSG renovation, but I think four games max. They didn't have to play the Zug game, first of all.  And they can trim another one, and cut down on the countries and the hotels and the flights.

Play not three but four games in the metro or Boston/Wash area: I know there's been some hesitation to play the Isles. Makes sense to get over that. Play the Isles (at the Coliseum or Bridgeport), the Devs, Caps, Bruins, maybe in Hartford. And spread em out.

If the schedule shakes out that the Rangers open the season in Britain or Germany or Helsinki, get there, play an exhibition or two in that country (in the case of London, you could hop to Belfast, where the Giants skate, regional airport right next door)  and then start the season. 

***

Where are they now?

Roman Horak, acquired by Calgary in the Tim Erixon deal, had an assist in his NHL debut... Coyote Michal Rozsival caught a shot in the face on the PK last night. Was down and bleeding, reports say it was his nose. For all the grief he received at MSG and online, it was his salary, not just his play on a bad knee, that made him a whipping boy....Colton Orr of the Leafs, back playing last night after a season-ending concussion in January, scored the 11th goal of his pugilistic career.  And Sean Avery has not yet reported to Hartford.  Whale lost in Glens Falls last night and are on the road again today, so No. 16 was spared the buses, I guess, and will be practicing with em this coming week, barring something unexpected. 

***

Rangers practice tomorrow at 11. I'll be there with the full report...