Bantering Points: 9/19/24

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Larry Brooks notes that after an off-season full of change that was expected but never came to be, the 2024-25 Rangers will look strikingly similar to the 2023-24 Rangers (NY Post)

Mollie Walker highlights continued growth from Alexis Lafreniere as one area of internal change that could make a difference (NY Post)

Colin Stephenson heard from Peter Laviolette about his plan to use last season's trip to the Eastern Conference Final as a building block for a more successful second season behind New York's bench (Newsday)

Vincent Mercogliano offered his takeaways from Laviolette's media availability on Wednesday (LoHud)

Lucas Standel lists four players to keep an eye on as training camp kicks off (The Hockey Writers)

Around the NHL:

The Tampa Bay Lightning named defenseman Victor Hedman as team captain, succeeding the since-departed Steven Stamkos (NBC Sports)

Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie will be placed on long term injured reserve for the length of the 2024-25 campaign due to a back injury (TSN)

Emily Kaplan relays words of the plans the Columbus Blue Jackets have for honoring the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau throughout the upcoming season (ESPN)

The Chicago Blackhawks named forward Nick Foligno as team captain (Official Team Site)