Bantering Points: 2/4/24

Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

Mollie Walker notes that Igor Shesterkin and Vincent Trocheck helped Team Matthews knock off Team McDavid, coached by Peter Laviolette,in a dose of Ranger on Ranger crime to win the final game at All-Star weekend (NY Post)

Lucas Standel makes the case against dealing Kaapo Kakko to bolster the current roster as the trade deadline approaches (The Hockey Writers)

Lyle Richardson ponders whether or not Chrus Drury will pull the trigger in a deal that sends Kakko elsewhere (The Hockey News)

Around the NHL:

Luke Fox mused about the status of unsigned veteran forward Phil Kessel (Sportsnet)

Greg Wyshynski relays word from NHLPA director Marty Walsh about the future of the Arizona Coyotes with no arena deal in place and a potential move out of the desert (ESPN)

Josh Erickson reports that New York Islanders’ forward Julien Gauthier has cleared waivers and been assigned to AHL Bridgeport (Pro Hockey Rumors)