Bantering Points: 12/28/24

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Colin Stephenson hears that after sitting out of the final game before the Christmas break, Chris Kreider is eager to get back into the lineup as the Blueshirts return to action (Newsday)

Stephenson also reminisced on the 2024 calendar year for the Blueshirts, including the peak of Kreider's natural hat trick in the playoffs against Carolina to knock out the Hurricanes and advance to the Eastern Conference Final last spring (Newsday)

Jim Bay lists four Rangers players that could be of interest to the Tampa Bay Lightning (The Hockey Writers)

Stan Fischler hands out report card grades for the Blueshirts as the team gets set to return to action (The Hockey News)

Remy Mastey notes that K'Andre Miller's return to the lineup is imminent, and the young defenseman could be back on New York's blue line as soon as tonight (The Hockey News)

Arthur $taple examine$ $ome potential trade$ and free agent acqui$ition$ Chri$ Drury could make a$ the Ranger$ look to recover from what'$ been a di$appointing 2024-25 campaign thu$ far (The Athletic)

Around the NHL:

The Colorado Avalanche agreed to a five-year, $26.25 million contract extension with goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who was acquired from the San Jose Sharks earlier in December (NBC Sports)

With Alex Ovechkin expected to rejoin the Washington Capitals' lineup tonight, his chase to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record is set to resume (Sportsnet)

Ryan Gilbert relayed word from Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella, who was his usual self when asked about Cutter Gauthier's upcoming return to Philadelphia after requesting a trade out of the organization (Broad Street Hockey)