New York Rangers Daily: Kaapo Kakko trade fallout, Brady Tkachuk guts and glory for Senators
After a meeting with general manager Chris Drury and a spirited practice with coach Peter Laviolette on Thursday, the New York Rangers return to action Friday, closing out a three-game road trip against the Dallas Stars.
Drury reportedly met individually with players as well as with the team as a whole one day after making his second trade in two weeks. The Rangers shipped Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, less than two weeks after trading captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks.
An upbeat practice followed, perhaps in part by a bit of clearing the air. It didn’t hurt that a fun shootout closed out practice, including participation by Laviolette and his assistants.
Now, it’s back to work. The Rangers (15-15-1) look to end a three-game skid and turn the corner on a stretch when they’ve lost 11 of 14 games. The results from Thursday largely benefitted them as two division rivals — the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers — lost, though the Pittsburgh Penguins did move three points clear of the sixth-place Rangers with an overtime win.
The Rangers enter play Friday 11th in the Eastern Conference, though with games in hand on almost each team ahead of them, including the Penguins, who own the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the moment.
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Looking ahead, here are three things to watch for Friday when the Rangers play the Stars, one of the best defensive teams in the NHL.
K’Andre Miller remains out with an upper-body injury, though he resumed skating back in New York. We also have the latest on Artemi Panarin’s murky status to play Friday and the chances that Matt Rempe will be in the lineup against the Stars.
After the aforementioned spirited practice, Vincent Trocheck set the record straight with reporters about a recent players-only meeting held by the Rangers.
We crushed the coverage of the most recent Rangers trade — Kakko to the Kraken for defenseman Will Borgen and two draft picks — starting with trade grades handed out by each member of the Forever Blueshirts staff.
Borgen practiced for the first time with the Rangers and told reporters afterward that he has “mixed emotions” about the trade.
Frank Saravalli went on Daily Facoff LIVE and praised the Rangers for acquiring Borgen and detailed why the rugged defenseman is a “perfect fit” for them.
As for Kakko, the 23-year-old learned about being traded by the Rangers after a relaxing sauna in Dallas.
Kraken general manager Ron Francis offered up a somewhat unique reason why Kakko could thrive away from the Rangers and in Seattle.
Finally, the Rangers’ top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, defenseman EJ Emery, was among the final cuts by the United States when Team USA finalized its roster for the 2025 World Junior Championship, that begins the day after Christmas. Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue are on the U.S. roster for the second straight year.
NHL news
It’s only been a month since Alex Ovechkin sustained a fractured fibula, but the Washington Capitals superstar is nearing a return to the lineup already, perhaps as early as this weekend.
After trading defenseman Alexandre Carrier to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, general manager Barry Trotz said Thursday that the Nashville Predators are “really building” not tearing down the roster, despite being in last place.
Defenseman J.J. Moser will miss 8-10 weeks for the Tampa Bay Lightning with a lower-body injury.
The Boston Bruins placed two-time Stanley Cup champion Tyler Johnson on unconditional waivers in order to terminate his contract.
The Calgary Flames were hot with perceived shoddy officiating in their overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators.
Senators captain Brady Tkachuk scored that overtime winner — but only after he lost a tooth and had a nine-stitch gash in his face following an accidental high stick earlier in the game.
Sidney Crosby had four points despite being banged up during an OT win for the Penguins against the Predators. Watch Bryan Rust score the game-winner.
Leon Draisaitl had three assists and recorded his 900th NHL point in the Edmonton Oilers’ 3-2 OT win against the Boston Bruins.
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