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”.
As for Dorsett, he was scheduled to have another scan on his broken collar bone, so the fact that he’s still in a non-contact jersey suggests he may still have some healing to do. Tortorella’s comments over the weekend hinted that he might not be far away though, and Dorsett himself is hopeful to be ready in the first round.
The news on Ryane Clowe meanwhile remains scant to say the least. Clowe’s injury is not known for sure, though it has been speculated to be either a leg, or possibly even a concussion. Brian Boyle at least has begun off-ice workouts, but is yet to resume skating after a suspected knee injury sidelined him since mid-April.
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