Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Greg Joyce hears that in spite of a new face behind the bench, a second consecutive season of losing and future-oriented trades have taken their toll on the Blueshirts (NY Post)
• Colin Stephenson relays word that in spite of his recent goal drought, Chris Kreider is in good spirits (Newsday)
• Frank Curto argues that New York’s anemic powerplay has severely hindered them since the departure of Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes (Elite Sports NY)
• Jordan Goldberg details how the Rangers might be the unluckiest team in the league this season (The Hockey Writers)
• Nicholas Zararis examines what the organization’s rebuild means for Henrik Lundqvist and his decision to stick around (Blue Line Station)
• Zararis also notes that Jeff Gorton will need to be shrewd with the team’s assets in order to maximize them (Blue Line Station)
• George Ruggiero compares the Rangers’ rebuild to that of other rebuilding franchises around the league (Blue Line Station)
• Pat Keogh wraps up his series on the Rangers’ worst-case scenarios for the rebuild (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Kyle Morello juxtaposes Lundqvist’s lockout shortened 2013 season with the 2011 campaign of Eli Manning (Empire Writes Back)
• Prospect Report: Jake Elmer, Morgan Barron, and Tarmo Reunanen have been named the organization’s three stars of the week among prospects (Official Team Site)
• Michael Obernauer sat down with Elmer to discuss his decision to sign on Broadway, the upcoming conclusion of his major junior career, and more (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Nashville Predators’ forward Austin Watson has returned to available status for his team as he continues treatment in the league’s Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program (On The Forecheck)
• The Tampa Bay Lightning clinched the Presidents’ Trophy with a 4-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes (Sportsnet)
• Stephen Lorenzo highlights how the Carolina Hurricanes are in prime position to end the league’s longest playoff drought (NBC Sports)
• Travis Yost dives into the numbers behind the current playoff hopefuls (TSN)/