The excitement over the playoffs is in full force as the
team prepares for Wednesday’s opener in Washington, but beyond that there is
news for the future of the Rangers organization. The first bit of news is that the NHL has
confirmed the New York Rangers will open next season in Stockholm Sweden
against the Los Angeles Kings on October 7 and then the Anaheim Ducks October 8.
Normally not a huge fan of the Rangers starting the year in
Europe and how it messes with the schedule, but this time is different. Madison Square Garden is going to be unavailable
until the end of October for the renovations, so the team was going to be on
the road regardless. The fact that
Henrik Lundqvist will get to go back and play in Sweden with this trip is another
reason to be happy about it happening.
The team will likely still have a lengthy road trip when they return to
the US.
The other news is that the Rangers
official twitter account announced the team has signed 2007 six-round pick
Carl Hagelin to an entry level contract starting next season and amateur tryout
offer (ATO) to play for the Whale starting this weekend. The six-foot, 187-pounder had 18 goals and 31
assists in 44 games in his senior season at Michigan and led his team to the
NCAA title game where they lost to Minnesota-Duluth 3-2 in OT. While it is unlikely, it would be special if
Hagelin could make the team out of camp and play in Sweden to start his NHL
career.
