Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Vincent Mercogliano notes that Vitali Kravtsov has played well during the early stages of the  2020-21 KHL campaign (LoHud)
• Brian Abate suggests that Chris Kreider is primed for a great season whenever the Rangers return to the ice (The Hockey Writers)
• Jason Katinas believes that a little patience could go a long way during the offseason and beyond (Blue Line Station)
• Steve Paulus examines what organizational holes the Blueshirts could fill during next months Entry Draft (Blue Line Station)/

Around the NHL:

• Greg Young relays word that the Washington Capitals have hired Peter Laviolette as their next head coach (Japers Rink)
• Frank Seravalli reports that the Florida Panthers are cutting ties with assistant coach Mike Kitchen after word surfaced of an incident during a game on January 20th (TSN)
• The New York Islanders defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning by a 2-1 margin in double overtime to force a Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals (Sportsnet)
• The Minnesota Wild signed defenseman Jonas Brodin to a seven year, $42 million contract extension (NBC Sports)/