Got this from MSG last night. A bunch of kids from Garden of Dreams were painting the ice at the Garden, with Rod Gilbert (the real one, the legend). They painted this message along the blue line:

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Twenty-two days until the Opener.

22: Mike Gartner. Nick Fotiu.

22: Emmitt Smith. Dave DeBusschere.
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Won’t be getting over to the rink the next two days … and really, not much going on there with John Tortorella skating the boys into the ice with no pucks.

I do want to start some conversations this week, with my feelings, and yours, on guys like Marc Staal, Brandon Dubinsky, Wade Redden,  Tortorella, and anybody else you want to discuss. Suggestions?
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Tonight MSG Network does one of its season preview shows. Some of the topics won’t make you happy. Some will. Well, one might.

A look at the top stories in the news, including major signings.

• Mark Messier examines the Rangers’ top prospects and their shot at making the team.

• HNL! catches up with the Islanders’ Rick DiPietro.

• Breaking down the Eastern Conference: the best and worst of the East.

• Stan Fischler explores the top five offseason stories in “Five for Fischler”.

• Hockey players or baseball players? The guys critique the baseball swings of Zach Parise, Kyle Okposo and Sidney Crosby from this summer.