Potential Ranger John Moore told me today he just had four wisdom teeth out.
Chicago blueliner says he still hasn't talked with agent Wade Arnott about his future.
No decision expected until the weekend at the earliest.
Chatting with Red Wings scouting director Joe McDonnell yesterday.
Joe is very happy with the progress ex-Ranger Evan McGrath has made in three AHL seasons in Grand Rapids, including 17 goals in 68 games last season.
He is hopeful the Wings will re-sign McGrath now that his contract is up.
A shoulder injury ended McGrath's season early, just when he was in a groove.
Todd Hoffman.
Coached the Kitch minor midgets last year. Takes over the Rangers Jr. B affiliate.
His son Mike scored 73 goals, playoffs and reg season, for the Drummondville Voltigeurs this year.
Mike got drafted by Ottawa last weekend.
The Dutchies, good coaching or bad, are gonna be in tough this year.
Luckily all 8 remaining Mid-West teams will make the playoffs.
Heading back home from Omaha, Nebraska today.
Not much left of last year's woeful Rangers when I arrive home.
T.J. Battani is off to the Soo. Andrew Wilson and Alex Dzielski are banished to The Shwa.
Simon Gronvaldt is a goner too.
New imports Tomas Tatar and Patrik Andersson are on the way.
London has landed goalie Michael Hutchinson from Barrie.
Kingston got captain Zach Harnden from the Petes.
No one is looking too far ahead into the future with these moves. All are made with immediate impact this coming season in mind.
Meanwhile, Windsor tough guy Richard Greenop has signed a 3-year entry level deal with the Leafs.
Greenop is ticketed for the Marlies.
Greenop, like Lane MacDermid if he signs with Boston, will need replacing.
And yes, the Spits do indeed want Josh Unice back in net next season.
Chatted with hotshot American defender John Moore today over the cell phone as I watched a minor pro ball game in Omaha, Nebraska.
You know the story. He's committed to Colorado College. The Rangers are trying to sway him to the OHL.
Columbus took him 21s overall in the NHL draft.
Moore told me today he's gathering facts to make a decision and conferring with his adviser Wade Arnott as well as the Blue Jackets.
He said his decision could come by week's end.
Big forward Ben Thomson will ink with the Rangers tomorrow.
The 6-foot-3 Orangeville kid, 16, is breaking his commitment to go to Cornell University on a hockey scholarship. Rangers got him in the 8th round of the draft.
His older brother Jonathan goes to Cornell on a lacrosse scholarship.
Next up for signing: 3rd round pick Ben Fanelli, a defenceman.
Want one?
Take your pick. Owen Sound's Tyler Beskorowany, Barrie's Michael Hutchinson and the Soo's Cody St. Jacques are all available.
The Rangers could use a veteran backup for Brandon Maxwell.
Besko and Hutch are not backups.
Ex-Ranger Jake Lalonde will play for the U of G Gryphons next season.
The overager came to Kitchener from Windsor at the trade deadline.
OHL grads Tim Priamo, Nathan Martine and Matt Lyall are also committed to play for the Gryphs and ex Storm coach Shawn Camp.
. . . for two preseason games in September.
They'll be at the Dave Keon Arena in Rouyn-Noranda to take on the Huskies on the 5th and 6th.
Rangers coach Steve Spott and Huskies coach Andre Tourigny are both on the national junior team coaching staff.
Rangers trainer Dan Lebold will be assistant equipment manager for Canada at the junior worlds.
The Chicago Blackhawks have opted not to sign ex-Rangers goalie Josh Unice by the June 1 deadline.
So Unice will be up for grabs in the June 26-27 NHL draft in Montreal.
Unice, now a Windsor Spitfire, was a Hawks pick in 2007.
