During the summer doldrums, it's nice to have something to look forward to on the ice aside from trade rumors, high-priced free agent signings, and management changes.
From Prospects Camp a couple weeks back to the Traverse City Prospects Tournament in early September, there isn't a whole lot going on the ice to discuss.
Today, however, we got a little bit to look forward to with the announcement of the preseason schedule.
So while you sip "Junkanoos" (a delicious frozen Bahamian drink) or your summer beverage of choice near your favorite body of water, you can mull over the following:
- Sept. 15 - Bruins vs. Rangers, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 16 - Rangers @ Devils, 7
- Sept. 18 - Rangers @ Detroit, 7:30
- Sept. 19 - Rangers @ Boston, 4 p.m.
- Sept. 21 - Red Wings vs. Rangers, 7
- Sept. 24 - Capitals vs. Rangers, 7
- Sept. 27 - Rangers @ Capitals, noon
Last year, you will recall, that all of the pre-season games were televised. No official word yet on what coverage MSG will provide this year.
No real shockers although two years in a row without games against the Islanders.
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RFA Corey Potter was signed today. The defenseman will compete for a top-six spot with the big club this season. Here's the official release:
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Corey Potter.
Potter, 25, made his NHL debut last season with the Rangers on December 7 against Calgary. He recorded his first NHL point with an assist in his next game on December 27 vs. New Jersey, and finished with two points (one goal and one assist) in five games.
Potter spent most of the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), registering 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points, along with 82 penalty minutes in 67 games. He established a career-high in goals and tied his career-high in points. He led all Hartford defensemen in goals, and ranked second among team defensemen in assists and points. Potter recorded nine multi-point efforts during the season, including his first career multi-goal game on February 13 against Lake Erie.
In addition, Potter finished tied for second on the Wolf Pack in postseason scoring with four points, and ranked second on the club with three assists in six playoff contests with Hartford.
The 6-3, 200-pounder has skated in 177 career AHL games with Hartford, registering 17 goals and 57 assists for 74 points, along with 205 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in games played (80), assists (27), points (32), plus/minus rating (plus-33), and penalty minutes (102) during the 2007-08 season. Potter led the team and ranked second in the league in plus/minus rating. He also ranked third among team defensemen in points and assists, and tied for third in goals.
In 2006-07, Potter made his AHL debut with Hartford on February 7 at Providence, and collected an assist in the contest. He began the season with the Charlotte Checkers of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), recording six goals and 13 assists for 19 points, along with 56 penalty minutes in 43 games. Potter led all team defensemen in goals and points at the time of his recall to Hartford on February 5. He notched his first professional point with an assist on October 26 at Florida.
Potter has also skated in 18 career AHL postseason contests with Hartford, recording two goals and eight assists for 10 points, along with 49 penalty minutes. He collected two assists in his professional playoff debut during the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs on April 18 against Providence.
The Lansing, Michigan native was originally the Rangers’ third round selection, 122nd overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
