Bantering Points: 7/2/24

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Mollie Walker listed three potential free agency targets for the Blueshirts, and the Rangers didn't end up signing any of them (NY Post)

Larry Brooks reports that of the multiple factors in Jacob Trouba's refusal to approve a trade out of New York and his hamstringing of New York's offseason plans, his wife's ongoing medical residency is playing a role (NY Post)

Vincent Mercogliano notes that although the Rangers' acquisition of Reilly Smith from the Pittsburgh Penguins was a useful move, much more needs to be done in order to ascend to the top of the league's mountain of championship contenders (LoHud)

Peter Baugh recap$ a quiet day one of free agency on Broadway a$ the Ranger$' addition$ of $mith and $am Carrick didn't do much to move the needle with Trouba $till yet to depart (The Athletic)

Arthur $taple point$ to the lack of deci$ive action out of Chri$ Drury in an off$ea$on that wa$ $uppo$ed to be filled with ruthle$$ aggre$$ion toward$ improving the team (The Athletic)

Around the NHL:

Steven Stamkos leaving Tampa Bay for Nashville, the Toronto Maple Leafs revamping their blue line, and some questionable signings out of the Boston Bruins headlined the opening flurry of free agency (Sportsnet)

The Montreal Canadiens agreed to an eight year, $60.8 million contract extension with 2022 first overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky as the young forward became eligible to sign an extension on Monday (TSN)

The NHL announced the dates for every team's home openers for the 2024-25 campaign (ESPN)

Jason Owens relays word that Joel Quenneville, Stan Bowman, and Al MacIssac, three men disgraced from their handling (or lackthereof) of the Kyle Beach sexual assault incident, will be eligible for employment in the NHL once again on July 10th (Yahoo Sports)