The biggest news out of Day 4 of Training Camp was that defenseman Marc Staal has been sent home as a precaution after he reportedly wasn’t feeling well. The Rangers’ #1 defender is being treated cautiously following off-season post-concussion like symptoms, but this is certainly not a welcome development for the team.
Already to be limited to one or two preseason games in Europe, Staal did not compete in either of today’s scrimmages, and will be evaluated on a day to day basis. In some good news, Mike Sauer saw his first contact, and scored a goal in the afternoon scrimmage. Sauer had been sitting out with tendonitis in one of his knees.
Further clarification on Brandon Prust who remains out of contact drills following off-season shoulder surgery. Prust has not been cleared for contact, and will continue to work on conditioning rather than participate in the scrimmages.
Brian Boyle and Wojtek Wolski both scored again to continue their fine form in the scrimmages, and both are putting some early pressure on coach John Tortorella for increased rolls. Tortorella again used Derek Stepan between Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan, with Artem Anisimov lined up with Mike Rupp and Mats Zuccarello.
In a bad sign for Sean Avery, the veteran agitator has been spending time playing with AHL bound players like John Mitchell, and looks even further out of the picture. Erik Christensen also is seeing his spot in the line-up under pressure.
Totorella also mentioned the Rangers are looking at options on defense, perhaps concerned with the injuries they’re carrying to Staal and Sauer.
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