Bantering Points: 8/24/23

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Mollie Walker discusses the Blueshirts' belated signing of Alexis Lafreniere to a two year bridge contract to wrap up their offseason business (NY Post)

Vincent Mercogliano offers his analysis of the deal the Rangers struck with their former first overall draft pick (LoHud)

Tom Castro suggests that Jimmy Vesey could be in store for a career year when the puck drops on the 2023-24 campaign (The Hockey Writers)

Lucas Standel highlights Mika Zibanejad as a player that could make or break the season for the Rangers as they look to recover from a bitter first round playoff exit (The Hockey Writers)

Around the NHL:

The Toronto Maple Leafs agreed to a four year, $53 million contract extension with forward Auston Matthews (TSN)

The league and its Players Association are working on a joint agreement to establish future participation in international competition in the forms of returning to the Olympics as well as reviving the World Cup of Hockey (Sportsnet)

The Anaheim Ducks acquired defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin from the Buffalo Sabres for a fourth round selection in the 2025 Entry Draft (NBC Sports)