We’re still in that lull after the end of the season, and there’s been little news from the Rangers. Ivan Baranka signed a contract to play in Russia next season with Moscow Spartak, but the Rangers will retain his rights if they offer him a qualifying contract offer before July 1st.

Commentators out there are already pitching for their teams to go after Sean Avery. The latest article comes from the New England Hockey Journal who suggest that the Boston Bruins go after the pending free agent.

In the World Championships, Brandon Dubinsky had a hat trick earlier this week against Norway, but was held without a point in a 3-2 OT loss to Finland in the tournament quarterfinals. Henrik Lundqvist backstopped the Swedes to a quarterfinal win over Michal Rozsival and the Czechs, stopping 29 of 31 shots in the 3-2 OT win.