Wednesday wrap: Gaborik, Christensen, scrimmage and Lincoln

Watching another informal practice at the MSG training center today, I was reminded of the Abraham Lincoln quote: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I’ll spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

For Rangers critics, and we have plenty of them in the twitter/blogosphere, it’s too early to even sharpen the axe.

For example, several prospects, including Derek Stepan, Evgeny Grachev and Ryan McDonagh, leave Friday for Traverse City. Alex Frolov likely won’t skate until Saturday. Erik Christensen and a jet-lagged Marian Gaborik (who, must admit, looked as if his hands were in mid-season form) only appeared in their first group workouts this morning.

Martin Biron was using Henrik Lundqvist’s original Bauer pads, and said they “felt long,” meaning high on his thighs.

Dale Weise skated with Derek Boogaard and Justin Soryal. “Had some serious beef with me out there,” he said.

During a break, Vinny Prospal measured his stick against Mats Zucarello-Aasen’s. Same size. Note: Prospal is at least 7 inches taller.

Michal Rozsival and Michael Del Zotto didn’t skate today and Brian Boyle played D to get more ice time.

So yeah, we’ll update ya about the pretty goals and the saves; keep in mind, however, it’s loose, the ultra-serious stuff doesn’t begin until next week. We’re serving up the sights and the quotes, but as in politics, calculations should not be made without much, much more info.

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Christensen, who said he welcomes more responsibility, banked in a sharp-angled shot off Lundqvist’s pads and almost downed Dane Byers (behind the net) when he cranked up a slapper from inside the circles. Message: He’s pumped.

Right here, let’s clarify something. I was told Erik was married this summer. Wrong. He was engaged in February and the marriage is set for June 18, 2011. “Gives her nine months to change her mind,” he said, and then asked, as if a date change somehow might be required: “When did the Stanley Cup Finals end this year?”

Happy with a two-year deal, Christensen, a candidate for first-line center, declared that he wanted to improve his production: “The important thing is to have more scoring depth…I want to score points...it's what I have always wanted to do since I've played at this level...You have to build your team from within...you can't always trade or buy players,” noting that elite players are few, and often locked up by rival teams.

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Captain Chris Drury, who has been arranging these workouts, skated on a line with Sean Avery and Ryan Callahan again…Prospal was on the left of Todd White, with Dubinsky on the right…Zuke fed Anisimov with a no-look pass and Artie beat Biron...Stepan, who also skated on a line with Grachev and Dubinsky, also scored on Biron…Lundqvist made a sweet sliding save on Byers after a set-up from Christensen…

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Here’s Gaborik on enforcer Boogaard: ““He’s the best at what he does, playing the role. He goes out there, works hard, and obviously, you can’t expect him to play… on the puck like other guys, but he’s gotten better at that. I think you don’t want to be on the other side as a defenseman playing against him. I’ve seen some huge impacts. I think we’re going to gain a lot of confidence as a team in games that are going to be chippy and stuff. He can give us that edge.”

Gabby on Frolov, who played against him when he was in L.A. “Strong….he’s a great player, one-on-one and especially in the corners, and he can win battles. He’s scored 30 goals a couple of times, and he’ll bring a lot… [He can] hold onto the puck and create room…I believe we’re going to score a lot of goals.”

Gabby on his upcoming second season on Broadway: “You kind of know what to expect… Last year, I was getting used to things, and most of the guys are here from last year. You know the coaches, trainers, guys from the organization. You get to know the city. It’s a little more comfortable. ”

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Marc Staal's agent, Paul Krepelka, declined comment via email yesterday, but as I've thought all along, a deal should get done before camp next week.

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Errands to run, calls to make. Two reminders, follow me at twitter.com/stevezipay, and please join the weekly live chat here at 1 p.m. tomorrow. I’m aware that some of you can’t swing by because of services for the Jewish holidays, but we couldn’t change the sked.