Bantering Points: 1/25/24

Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

Larry Brooks discusses Alexis Lafreniere’s recent lack of scoring, roster decisions when Filip Chytil returns to the lineup, and more (NY Post)

Mollie Walker heard from Peter Laviolette about why the Blueshirts’ bench boss isn’t one to jumble his forward lines around too often (NY Post)

Colin Stephenson notes that although the Rangers remain atop the Metropolitan Division, their grip on that position has become shaky after their 1-2-1 road trip out west (Newsday)

Tom Castro thinks that if Blake Wheeler’s play doesn’t pick up sooner rather than later, his days on Broadway may be numbered (The Hockey Writers)

Jesse Courville-Lynch points to New York’s embarrassing loss to San Jose as the epitome of the issues plaguing them as of late (The Hockey Writers)

Around the NHL:

Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, both members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Championship team, have stepped away from the team indefinitely (TSN)

Mike Brahm reports that five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Championship team have been told to submit to police in London, Ontario to be formally charged with sexual assault (USA Today)

The Chicago Blackhawks agreed to a two year, $8.5 million contract extension with goaltender Petr Mrazek (Sportsnet)

The Smith Entertainment Group, owners of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, put out a statement requesting an initiation of the expansion process to eventually bring an NHL team to Salt Lake City (NBC Sports)