Adam Graves was a guest on TSN1050 Toronto radio earlier today and was asked about Lias Andersson and the Rangers.

Graves said that Andersson is an "incredibly competitive young man and wore the "C" for Sweden for a reason. People would say that any time a medal goes into the stands that you notice it, but he is a very well intentioned, character kid, loves to win, we were very fortunate to be able to be able to draft him, along with Chytil, our other first round pick and this year we had three first round picks and for us we are at a different stage after moving Rick Nash at the deadline and of course our captain in Ryan McDonagh and JT Miller and having 10 picks in a seven round draft. We are trying to develop these guys and put them in an environment to succeed, when you have character young kids like Andersson, it's much easier on the development side. He is a kid that will find a way to have an impact on the game every night because he is so hungry." (TSN 1050)

3:05PM: Gilmour's salary for the NHL this season is $650,000 and is $100,000 if he plays in the AHL. (Cyrgalis)

1:03PM: The Rangers have announced that they have signed John Gilmour to a one-year contract.

The team also announced that Chris Bigras, Steven Fogarty, Boo Nieves and Rob O'Gara all accepted their one-year qualifying offers.

According to Larry Brooks, while the Rangers preferred to have Vitali Kravtsov play this season in North America, the KHL was reportedly prepared to file a grievance to prevent him from buying out the final-year of his contract. (NY Post)

To avoid any potential lawsuits that might have kept Kravtsov off the ice, Brooks says that everyone agreed that it made sense to let him play this season in Russia. (NY Post)

The KHL season begins in September and concludes in late February with the playoffs ending in early April. (NY Post)

Larry Brooks writes that the Rangers should treat Brady Skjei the same way that they did Ryan McDonagh and Marc Staal, when their entry-level contracts expired, and sign him to a long-term deal. (NY Post)

Staal, in his first three seasons, played 244 of 246 games, had 13 goals, 39 assists, a plus 6 rating, 21:02 per game, 5,133 minutes played overall, 491 hits, 234 blocked shots, 119 takeaways and 111 giveaways.

He signed a five-year deal with the Rangers, out of entry level, that had a cap hit of $3.975 million. (Cap Friendly)

Rob O'Gara has reportedly accepted his one-year qualifying offer from the Rangers and signed a two-way contract.

O'Gara would get $874,125 in the NHL and $70,000 in the AHL.

He was acquired by the Rangers, along with a third round pick, for Nick Holden around the trade deadline.

O'Gara, 25, played in 22 games for the Rangers after being acquired and had 3 assists, a minus two rating, 19 shots on goal, 32 hits, 34 blocked shots, 4 takeaways and 7 giveaways in 17:10 per game.

7/13/18 | When David Quinn was hired as head coach of the Rangers, Kevin Shattenkirk said that Quinn is not someone who will accept mediocrity and addded "that is what we need."

Shattenkirk said, "it's time for us to develop and he will be a great leader for our team and is truly invested in coaching players and making sure they achieve their full potential."

6/4/18 | When David Quinn was hired by the Rangers, Kevin Hayes said that one of the "major" things the former BU coach will bring is "accountability." (Newsday)

Boo Nieves has reportedly accepted the qualifying offer extended to him by the Rangers and has signed a one-year, two-way contract. (Cap Friendly)

Nieves will have an NHL cap hit of $708,750 and an AHL salary of $70,000. (Cap Friendly)

Qualifying offers expire on July 15 at 5PM. (Cap Friendly)

Steven Fogarty also accepted his qualifying offer from the Rangers.

7/12/18 | Shattenkirk skated on Thursday, with the Junior Rangers, and said that it's been "reassuring" to slowly feel that his injured leg is returning to full strength. (NHL.com)

He said that he isn't "overdoing it" but that having the season end for the Rangers when it did allowed him to get into his summer program early and go through "intense" rehab to get things back on an even playing field with his other leg. (NHL.com)

5/28/17 | Last week, Kevin Shattenkirk said that everything is moving well right now with his knee and that he is focused on building up his leg strength.

The Rangers have announced that Cody McLeod has signed a one-year deal to remain with the Rangers. (NYR)

McLeod was claimed off of waivers last season by the Rangers from Nashville.

7/12/18 | The NHLPA has announced that Vesey is scheduled to have his hearing on 7/30, Brady Skjei on 7/31, Kevin Hayes on 8/2 and Ryan Spooner on 8/4.

7/5/18 | 5:56PM: The NHLPA has announced that Kevin Hayes, Brady Skjei, Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Spooner have all filed for salary arbitration.

Arbitration hearings will be held in Toronto during a period of 7/20 to 8/4.

Jeff Cox of the NE Hockey Journal is reporting that Boston College associate head coach Greg Brown is leaving BC to join David Quinn's staff with the Rangers.

He was a teammate of David Quinn's on the 1985-86 USA World Junior team.

Brown played at BC for three seasons in the late 80s and played 94 games in the NHL with the Sabres, Penguins and Jets.

The Rangers have multiple players participating in summer hockey leagues this year in Boston and Minnesota.

In the Boston league, Jimmy Vesey, Rob O'Gara and Kevin Hayes are playing.

• Former Rangers playing include Paul Carey, Adam Clendening and Brian Boyle.

In the Minnesota league, Brady Skjei, Vinni Lettieri, Ryan Lindgren, Tyler Nanne and Steven Fogarty are playing.

Derek Stepan, Danny Kristo, Stu Bickel, Ryan McDonagh are former Rangers playing in the league.

Brett Howden said that being cut by Team Canada's World Junior team, prior to the 2017 tournament, helped him become the player that he is now. (NY Post)

Howden had been a first round pick of Tampa Bay in 2016 and said that being cut opened his eyes to show him that "nothing's given to you and you gotta work for what you get." (NY Post)

Howden made Canada's World Junior team for the 2018 tournament and had 3 goals and 4 assists in 7 games.

7/10/18 | 10:02AM: Tampa Bay has announced that Kucherov has signed an eight-year extension that will carry a cap hit of $9.5 million.

The extension starts following this coming season.

9:50AM: Larry Brooks writes that the Rangers are "maintaining a level of interest" in bringing Ryan Callahan back via trade if Tampa looks to clear the final two-years of his contract. (NY Post)

7/9/18 | On Rangers Night Live, Marty told John Giannone about coaching, "It's something I see myself trying and liking, timing is everything. Right now I'm focusing on my kids and this is time you can't get back and it's been a blast. I'm gonna keep doing that for now and take it a year at a time."

5/17/18 | Marty St. Louis was on the 31 Thoughts Podcast this week and was asked about the rumors mentioning he could return to pro hockey as a coach. (Sportsnet)

St. Louis said, "I'm definitely interested, there will be a time and a place for that, hopefully it won't be too late for me. Right now it would take a lot for me to leave my kids. I'm enjoying seeing their development and being part of their everyday life." (Sportsnet)

7/9/18 | Quinn has returned from his trip to Sweden, where he met with Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers are in the process of "finalizing their coaching staff." (NY Post)

7/5/18 | Colin Stephenson of Newsday tweets that the Rangers are expected to announce the rest of David Quinn's coaching staff next week.

He noted that Lindy Ruff was at prospect camp last week and that Ruff, as has been noted, is believed to be staying on as part of the staff.

7/9/18 | KHL team Traktor has announced that Rangers first round pick Vitali Kravtsov will remain with them for this season.

In the release, Kravtsov said that he will remain with Traktor and hopes that this season will allow him to grow "professionally."

Traktor GM Evgeny Gubarev said "we hope that the upcoming season will be no less successful for Kravtsov. The rest of the talk about the future career of this player will be appropriate in a year. 

When asked to describe his game, Rangers first round pick Vitali Kravtsov said that he "excels" at being a "creative playmaker" and someone who will do "everything to help the team win." (NY Post)

He said that winning his his "No. 1 priority" and that he likes to play a "beautiful, creative" style that creates a lot of offense and allow his team to "win." (NY Post)

Kravtsov said that he feels he is good on the power play but needs to improve on the PK so that he can not only help the Rangers score goals, but also prevent them as well. (NY Post)

He told Steve Serby, "I will do everything in my power to make myself better so that I'm a meaningful part of this family and this family can win something together." (NY Post)

7/9/18 | Larry Brooks writes that talks between Tampa Bay and Ottawa have "subsided" and that Dallas has "re-emerged" as the favorite to get Erik Kalrsson if the Senators decide to move him "within the foreseeable future." (NY Post)

7/7/18| Larry Brooks writes that the Rangers are willing to "aid and abet" a deal between Tampa and Ottawa if Tampa is willing to provide more than a guaranteed late first round pick as a sweetener. (NY Post)

7/5/18 | 7:02PM: Darren Dreger tweets that the Rangers may be involved in Ottawa and Tampa Bay's potential Erik Karlsson deal as the Lightning need to clear cap room. (Darren Dreger)

Larry Brooks writes that the Rangers intend to start next season with Vlad Namestnikov as a winger and not a center. (NY Post)

Brooks notes that Namestnikov could switch back to center in the event that a player like Lias Andersson or Filip Chytil struggle and need time in Hartford. (NY Post)

Namestnikov had 4 points in 19 games after coming to the Rangers, playing both on the wing and in the middle.

6/16/18 |Jeff Gorton told the Boston Globe that Jimmy Vesey needed a bit of a "fresh start" and one of the players that Gorton thinks David Quinn will help.

Gorton said that Vesey needs an "opportunity to play a little more and show what he has . . . so I will be curious to see how David will help Jimmy." (Boston Globe)

Gorton said that it was an "obvious choice" for the team to hire David Quinn because of his past coaching at different levels and developing players.

With the talk about the Rangers possibly being part of Ottawa and Tampa Bay's Erik Karlsson deal, or any deal to relieve a team in a cap crunch, Larry Brooks tweets that the Rangers need to make sure that any possible deal doesn't hurt their chances at free agency next summer.

Brooks tweets that Artemi Panarin could be a UFA next summer and had tweeted previously that the Rangers would be "all in" if that situation comes to pass.

He adds that the Rangers won't trade assets for Panarin this summer and Elliotte Friedman has noted multiple times that there is a belief Panarin wants to play in New York, LA or Florida. (Sportsnet)

Jeff Gorton said on Monday that the Rangers will give Brendan Smith an opportunity to "get back" on the team and "help us."

Gorton said that the organization thinks Smith is doing "all the right things" this summer to get back into a position where he can play in the Rangers top-six and be "the player we know he can be.."

The Rangers GM said that all indications point to Smith having a good summer so far and that he understands it will be a "really important September" for him.

Smith has been working out at the Rangers practice facility and his agent has said that he is "determined and confident" to not just be the player he was when the Rangers acquired him, but "a better Brendan Smith." (NY Post)

The Rangers signed Swedish defenseman Fredrik Claesson on Sunday to a one-year deal worth $700,000 after Cleasson was not qualified by Ottawa.

Claesson's top five on five partner last season was Erik Karlsson and when the two were on the ice the Senators had 51% of the shot attempts.

He is a left handed shot but has played on the right side in his career. (NY Post)

On why Claesson was signed, Jeff Gorton said that he can skate, play both sides and a physical game.

7/5/18 | 12:36PM: On the 31 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman said that the Rangers are not in on Karlsson and that he doesn't believe they ever were. (Sportsnet)

10:41AM: Larry Brooks tweets that the Rangers are "not in and never were' on Erik Karlsson but says that idea that Karlsson would not sign an extension with the Rangers is "slightly bonkers." (NY Post)

7/4/18 | Elliotte Friedman said on the radio yesterday that while the Rangers have been mentioned with Karlsson, he doesn't think they are in it.

Rangers prospect and RFA Steven Fogarty has accepted his qualifying offer from the Rangers. (Cap Friendly)

The deal is for one-year and is a two-way contract that would pay Fogarty $708,750 in the NHL and $70,000 in the minors. (Cap Friendly)

He will again be an RFA next summer. (Cap Friendly)

7/3/18 Jeff Gorton said that the Rangers are going to play "up-tempo" and that every conversation he has with Quinn focuses on "puck possession" and an "up-tempo" style.

6/5/18 | Bernie Corbett, the "Voice of BU hockey" says that Quinn will bring an "up-tempo, puck-possession approach that will allow for offensive creativity while stressing" defense and the appropriate times to go in transition. (NY Post)

Kevin Hayes said, "we are going to be a fast team and team that other teams don't enjoy playing against." (NYR)

7/3/18 | Larry Brooks writes in the NY Pot that Quinn is en route to Sweden to meet with Lundqvist. (NY Post)

6/16/18 | Quinn is expected to travel to Sweeden in early July to meet with Lundqvist. (NY Post)

6/12/18 | Quinn said on Hockey Central at noon that he has been talking with Chris Drury and Jeff Gorton about when he will go to Sweden to meet with Henrik Lundqvist.

Rangers GM Jeff Gorton was on Rangers Night Live on MSG on Monday and said the following:

• On July 1 being different, "it's a lot different, over the years we have been pretty active on July 1 and trying to add players to our team and help us push for some of our runs as we move forward. We have a plan in place and if you saw development camp you saw how many young players we had and we are trying to develop these guys the right way and give them opportunity. Based on what was out there and some of the opportunities we felt it was better to stay with our young guys and keep moving forward."

Larry Brooks writes that with how the market has developed, if Kevin Hayes is able to become a UFA next summer he would likely command a contract of around five-years and $30 million. (NY Post)

Brooks writes that the Rangers and Jeff Gorton will have to make a decision on whether to sign him to a similar deal now or move him in a trade. (NY Post)

He writes that arbitration, and a one-year deal that would allow Hayes to walk directly into free agency "is not an option." (NY Post)

7/3/18 | 3:02PM: Matt Martin was re-acquired by the Islanders for goalie Eamon McAdam.

8:42AM: Larry Brooks writes that it seems like a "stretch" to think that Jeff Gorton would trade a "usable piece" or draft pick to get Martin. (NY Post)

7/2/18 | John Tavares signed seven-year deal worth $77 million on Sunday to join his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs.

3:04PM: Pierre LeBrun notes that Namestnikov's contract breaks down as $3.5 million, with a 500K signing bonus, for this season and a base salary of $4 million for next season.

2:58PM: The Rangers have confirmed the Namestnikov contract.

2:52PM: Larry Brooks writes that Namestnikov is re-signing with the Rangers on a two-year deal worth around $4 million per season.

The Rangers have signed former Ottawa defenseman Fredrik Claesson to a one-year deal worth $700,000. (McKenzie)

Claesson, 25, was not qualified by the Senators and has played 113 games in his NHL career, scoring 4 goals and 16 assists.

He was a fifth round pick of Ottawa in 2011 and played in 14 playoff games during the Senators run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2016-17.

7/1/18 | 12:32PM: Michael Grabner announced on twitter that he was heading to Arizona as a UFA.

Elliotte Friedman and Pierre LeBrun note that it's a three-year deal for the Grabner with a cap hit of $3.35 million.

Tampa Bay has announced that former Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh has signed a seven-year contract extension that will pay him $6.75 million per-year starting in 19-20.

McDonagh is still under contract with a cap hit of $4.7 million.

In a statement, McDonagh said "I'm very excited to sign an extension that will keep me with the Lightning organization for the next eight season. Since being traded to Tampa Bay earlier this year, my experience with the city, my teammates and the fans has been nothing short of world-class. My family and I are very excited to continue to play and live in Tampa with the ultimate goal of helping to bring the organization its second Stanley Cup."

Tampa Bay also recently signed JT Miller to a five-year extension.

Free Agency opens up in the NHL today at 12:01PM with the Rangers expected to have over $28 million in cap space, for a roster that includes Brendan Smith, Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil but not Matt Beleskey or Peter Holland. (CapFriendly)

The Rangers are expected to go after character and role players in free agency and possibly a back up goalie.

The Rangers could also use their cap space to acquire a player from a team that needs cap relief.

7/1/18 | 12:01PM: Blake Comeau is heading to Dallas. (Dreger)

6/30/18 | Larry Brooks writes that the Rangers plan of attack when free agency opens will likely focus on adding some bottom six wingers. (NY Post)

Brooks said that the Rangers hope to only sign players to two-year deals and lists guys like Tommy Wingels, Blake Comeau or Leo Komarov as veteran options. (NY Post)

7/1/18 | 4:12PM: Komarov has signed a four-year deal with the Islanders for $3 million per season. (Johnston)

6/30/18 | Aaron Portzline notes that the Rangers and Blue Jackets have "expressed interest" in Komarov.

Larry Brooks writes that the Rangers "might" be interested in a one-to-two year deal for "fourth-liner" money. (NY Post)

6/29/18 | Georgiev said during prospect camp that he thinks the back up goalie spot is his to win. (NY Post)

Lias Andersson said that Georgiev is a "fast" and "flexible" goalie that reads the game well. (NY Post)

6/26/18 | Rangers GM Jeff Gorton was asked Monday about the Rangers back up goalie situation and said that they are still trying to figure that situation out.

7/1/18 | Larry Brooks notes that Reaves preferred to stay in the West and that state taxes also came up as an issue. Brooks noted that the Rangers would have needed to come up with more money to make up the difference and either didn't or wouldn't.

6/30/18 | 9:32PM: Reaves is staying in Vegas on a two-year deal worth $2.775 million per season. (Dreger)

6/29/18 | 4:57PM: Larry Brooks tweets that while the Rangers have not been told directly but are "aware" that he is no longer a potential free agent option.

James Dolan announced on Wednesday night that MSG is considering branching off the Knicks and Rangers from the entertainment side of the company. 

The CEO of the Madison Square Garden Company is attempting to create a direction for the sale of the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. 

In 2017, Leslie Alexander offered up the sale of the Houston Rockets. According to NBA.com, the Rockets were sold for reportedly $2.2 billion. The Knicks are expected to sell for more than this which would be an NBA record.

Lias Andersson said that he will spend a month of this offseason in the New York area training with Ben Prentiss before returning to Sweden. (NYR)

Andersson said that he learned a lot during his time with the Rangers and how much work is needed to become a "superstar in this league." (NYRangers.com)

He added, "gotta keep working and one day hopefully I can go out there and dominate. (NYRangers.com)

While speaking with the media, Rangers prospect Libor Hajek said that he will do everything to make the Rangers out of training camp this year and adds "I believe I will make it this year. That is my goal." (NYR)

Hajek said that he is feeling strong, healthy and believes in himself and his game. (NYR)

He described himself as a two-way defenseman that can make a good first pass, join the rush, shoot, pass and score some goals. (NYR)

Hajek said that he will stay in the NY area this summer to train and that his focus will be on getting stronger and preparing for training camp and the chance to play in the NHL. (NYR)

6/29/18 | 4:22PM: John Shannon tweets that 8 teams made calls on Nash and that he could have agreed to a three-year deal worth $15 million before deciding to forgo the July 1 signing window.

6/28/18 | 12:13PM: Rick Nash's agent Joel Resnick tells Darren Dreger that Nash is undecided on whether he wants to play next season in the NHL and will not take part in the July 1 free agency.

Dreger says that the "multiple teams with interest" in Nash have been made aware of this decision.

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic wrote earlier this week that Columbus had been in contact with their former captain and that while reports last weekend indicated that Nash was thinking about possible retirement, he was interested in a multi-year deal. (The Athletic)

Brad Richards was on TSN Radio on Wednesday to discuss the process that led him to sign with the Rangers in July of 2011. (Bardown)

Richards had teams visit him at the Newport Sports Office outside of Toronto and said that he ultimately made his decision between the Rangers and the Kings. (Bardown)

Richards said that he would have preferred to have the five-day interview period that exist right now for pending UFAs and that if he could do it over again, he would have visited teams and seen facilities and possible places to live. (Bardown)

6:41PM: Larry Brooks writes that Jeff Gorton is an "interested third-party" in the John Tavares situation because the Rangers have the cap space to help teams like Tampa, Toronto or Dallas make room in the event Tavares wants to sign in one of those places. (NY Post)

9:19AM: Larry Brooks writes that while the Rangers will have a lot of cap space this summer, they do not intend on "becoming a depository for faded veterans." (NY Post)

He notes though that if a team like the Penguins were to often a "sweetener" the Rangers might be interested in re-acquiring Carl Hagelin and the one-year and four-million cap hit he has left on his deal. (NY Post)

The Hockey Hall of Fame announced that former Ranger Marty St. Louis has been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2018.

St. Louis played 93 games for the Rangers, scoring 22 goals and 38 assists and helped the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014.

St. Louis has been mentioned as someone who could possibly re-join the organization.

Tampa Bay has announced that they have signed former Ranger JT Miller to a five-year contract worth $5.25 million per season.

Miller was traded by the Rangers, along with Ryan McDonagh, for a package that included Vlad Namestnikov, Brett Howden, Libor Hajek, Tampa's 2018 first round pick and a 2019 second round pick that can turn into a first round pick if they win the Stanley Cup.

6/25/18 | Gorton said on Monday that the Rangers want to add "some character players that can come in and teach these guys the ropes and that have a pretty good pedigree to come here and help us."

6/24/18 | When asked about free agency on Saturday, Jeff Gorton said that the Rangers will "talk to the players" that they like and see if there any "holes" on the roster they can fill.

Gorton was asked if there was interest in bringing back any of the players that they traded and said that while he technically can't talk about that, since those players belong to other teams, if he were to be asked in a few days he would have a better answer to the question.

Larry Brooks wrote that Gorton will "jump" into the free agent market but is not expected to "swim in the deep end" of expensive and long-term deals. (NY Post)