Rangers Daily: Current, former Blueshirts set for Shoulder Check Showcase; another junior star heads to NCAA
A number of current and former New York Rangers will be on the ice in Stamford, Connecticut, on Thursday for the third annual Shoulder Check Showcase. The event supports youth mental health by bringing together current and former Rangers, along with other players to promote the message of “Reaching Out. Checking In. Making Contact.”
Former Rangers defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is among those who will be on hand.
“The hat I’m wearing right now [is] for one of my good buddies, Jimmy Hayes (a seven-year NHL veteran who died in 2021 with died with fentanyl and cocaine in his system). This is something that hits home for me,” Shattenkirk told NHL Network. “Seeing the message that’s behind it and knowing you can make a difference with such a small act, it goes a long way.”
From its beginnings just two summers ago, the Showcase has become a marquee summer event, featuring talent like Shattenkirk, former Rangers forward Chris Kreider and current backup goalie Jonathan Quick. Current Rangers Brett Berard and Matt Rempe will be playing, as will former Rangers Kreider, Frank Vatrano and Kevin Hayes (Jimmy’s brother).
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New York Rangers news
Forever Blueshirts: Don Maloney discussed his “magical” rookie season and a lot more with our own Jim Cerny on their recent Rink Rap podcast. The kid brother of newly selected Rangers TV analyst Dave Maloney also reminisces about being GM of the New York Islanders when they were demolished by the Blueshirts in the opening round of the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the thrill of stepping onto the ice as a Ranger at Madison Square Garden.
NHL Rumors, News, & the Sportsnaut Family
Philly Hockey Now: The departure of top-level players from major juniors to college hockey continues. Porter Martone, who was picked sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL Draft last month, is heading to Michigan State, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Monday. Martone was the captain of the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads last season. He racked up 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) in 57 regular-season games. He’ll be playing Big Ten games against Gavin McKenna, the likely No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, who left Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League for Penn State earlier this month.
The Athletic: The Detroit Red Wings again came out on top in the online sports daily’s annual fan poll of NHL TV teams, finishing first locally and nationally. The Seattle Kraken were second for the second straight year. The outgoing Rangers tandem of Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti finished ninth. And who was last, you ask? The Boston Bruins, even with Judd Sirott replacing longtime (and polarizing) play-by-play man Jack Edwards.
TSN: If you want to win in the NHL these days, an effective power play is a must. Here’s a look behind the numbers. Long story short: Unless you’re extremely good (think Carolina Hurricanes) or absolutely awful (Chicago Blackhawks, anyone) at even strength, your power-play success will have a major impact on whether you make the playoffs.
NHL.com: Goalie Mikhail Yegorov isn’t a candidate for the New Jersey Devils’ starting job – yet. But after leading Boston University to the NCAA title game last season, there’s every indication he’ll end up as their starter after playing another year or two at BU – especially on a team whose two goalies are already in their mid-30s.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Kyle Dubas is racing to rebuild the Pittsburgh Penguins in time to give Sidney Crosby one more trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Penguins are loaded with young players, but they may not be ready in time. Getting Sid one more shot at the postseason likely would mean refraining from trading veterans like defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. There have been plenty of trade rumors surrounding the Pens in recent weeks, but it doesn’t look like anything’s cooking right now.
Florida Hockey Now: What’s the best jersey in Florida Panthers history? According to a poll by The Athletic, it’s the current one. It’s hard to argue with the Panthers’ results in the decade they’ve worn it, especially with back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. A lot of fans still like the original jersey, and there are hints it may return for the Winter Classic game against the Rangers on Jan. 2 at LoanDepot Park.
San Jose Hockey Now: Shane Bowers is 25 – and eight years removed from being a first-round pick (No. 28) by the Ottawa Senators in the 2017 draft. He’s played just 13 NHL games since being drafted but hopes that being traded from the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche to the San Jose Sharks, who finished last in the NHL in 2024-25, will provide the opportunity he’s been waiting for.
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