Day: April 29, 2013

The Rangers are holding their first practice following the conclusion of the regular season, and Marc Staal is one of those on the ice.  Derek Dorsett, acquired earlier in the month in the Marian Gaborik trade, is also skating, but continues to wear the non-contact jersey.

There’s still no word if or when Staal might make a return to the line-up, but his practicing with the team remains a positive.  Staal’s size and presence against Alexander Ovechkin would be a positive, though one has to wonder how he’ll do after another prolonged absence.  Staal sounded hopeful, albeit not optimistic when he said he “hasn’t written himself off”.

Derek Stepan was announced the NHL’s third star for the month of April, following a team leading 8 goals and 11 assists in 14 games.  Stepan was one of four Rangers who averaged a point a game in the final month of the season, joined by Brad Richards (6-10-16), Ryan Callahan (7-8-15) and Rick Nash (9-5-14).

In net, Henrik Lundqvist started the season 14-13-2, but finished out the final month with a 10-3-1 record.  His GAA for the final 14 games was 1.76 and his Save Percentage was a healthy .934

He never played a game for the Rangers last year, but was he still under contract to the team.  Wade Redden perhaps surprisingly to many, will potentially see post season action with the Boston Bruins after a four year trip through the hockey wilderness.

A number of other contracted players, no longer with the Blueshirts, will not be joining him however. We take a look at who is missing out on the Rangers’ third straight trip to the playoffs.