Bantering Points: 12/31/24

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Highlights: FLA 5, NYR 3 (5:04 video via NHL.com)

Game Recap: New York put forth a better effort than usual as of late, fighting back from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 to tie things up, but a late goal made the effort for naught as the end result was the same as per usual (CBS Sports)

Mollie Walker notes that the one of the Blueshirts' best efforts in the midst of their slump was not enough to earn a win, and the team dropped to 4-15-0 in its last 19 games (NY Post)

Walker also examined the potential impact of Alexis Lafreniere's promotion to the top power play unit in place of Mika Zibanejad (NY Post)

Colin Stephenson ponders how the Rangers can get their season back on track as the losses continue to pile up (Newsday)

Stan Fischler lists which players have been the biggest disappointments on Broadway thus far (The Hockey News)

Remy Mastey makes the case for why Matt Rempe should stick around the NHL once he returns from his ongoing eight-game suspension (The Hockey News)

$cott Wheeler detail$ Drew Forte$cue'$ journey, one that $tarted in Rockland County, NY and Bergen County, NJ, to hi$ current po$ition repre$enting Team U$A at the World Junior Champion$hip$ (The Athletic)

Around the NHL:

The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward Jesse Puljujarvi on waivers (TSN)

The Dallas Stars have been fined $100,000 for holding an optional practice on December 26th in violation of the CBA (Sportsnet)

Greg Wyshynski reports that the 2025 NHL Entry Draft will take place in Los Angeles as the league moves to a decentralized format similar to other top pro sports leagues (ESPN)

Jacob Punturi relays word from Jonathan Toews, who left the door open for a potential return to hockey after last playing in the NHL during the 2022-23 campaign (Sports Illustrated)