That’s it.  12 goals!? Maybe I am overreacting but……

It’s tough to get wrapped up in the preseason.   However, scoring 12 goals in six games is something that may be a little alarming.  I know, the team is still meshing and working on chemistry, but a lack of scoring is something that is always a concerning.

The Rangers ended their North American tour today with a 4-2 loss to NJ at the Garden.  Top liners Markus Naslund and Nikolai Zherdev both netted goals in the effort. 

Henrik Lundqvist was not as his best, allowing 4 goals on 12 shots.  No, I am worried about Henrik.  Backup Steve Valiquette was a perfect 11 for 11.

The Blueshirts now head to Europe for two more preseason battles with SC Bern and Metallurg Magnitogorsk.  No idea what the over/under for those games are.

After assigning rookie Evgeny Grachev to Hartford and sending first round pick Michael Del Zotto and Thomas Kundratek to their junior squads, the Rangers trimmed their roster to 26 after a day of cuts. 

They assigned several players to Hartford and released tryout hopeful Petr Nedved.  Despite having a good preseason, Nedved was a longshot to make the team.  In an effort to get faster and younger, Nedved had no real spot on the team.

Artem Anisimov, Greg Moore and Hugh Jessiman, all of which had legit chances of sticking in NY, were sent to Hartford.

Lauri Korpikoski, Brian Fahey and Corey Potter all got through the first set of cuts and will continue to push for their chance to stay with the big squad.

Korpikoski has been very impressive, skating well and showing a nack for goal scoring,

A link to the Rangers current roster can be read here:

The Rangers will lace them up tonight in what will be their 4th game in 4 nights.   The Lightning come to the Garden tonight in a rematch of Tuesday nights preseason epic battle.

Tonights game will be relevant in that tomorrow will mark the first day of cuts.  Steve Valiquette is expected to play the entire game.   Roster spot hopefuls Lauri Korpikoski, Petr Nedved and P.A. Parenteau will all see ice time tonight.  Forwards Ryan Callahan, Colton Orr, Petr Prucha and Fred Sjostrom will all skate tonight as well.  Blueliners Wade Redden and Dmitri Kalinin should also play.

Brendan Shanahan is still no where to be found.  According to the NY Post, the door is still open to Mr. Shanahan to attend training camp.

Glen Sather and Renney said the window remains open for Brendan Shanahan to accept their tryout offer, despite the team’s departure for Europe Saturday.

“I spoke to him [Tuesday]. Nothing has changed, but it could,” Sather told The Post last night. “He’s skating and working out.”

The 39-year-old winger is believed to have offers from several teams, including the Blues, and perhaps, the Devils.

More can be read in Mark Everson’s story from the Post;

Brandon Dubinsky did an interview with www.newyorkrangers.com.  Among other things, he talks about his offseason and the addition of Markus Naslund.  The article can be read in its entirety here;

The Rangers fell to 1-3 in the preseason after losing to the Devils 3-2.  Brian Fahey and Petr Nedved netted goals while Henrik Lundqvist allowed two goals and rookie Antoine Lafleur surrendered one.  This was game 3 of the Rangers stretch of 4 games in 4 nights.  The Rangers head home and will battle the Lightning tomorrow night.

Nedved scored his 2nd goal of the preseason in his bid to make an NHL return.  Still a longshot to make the roster, Nedved has contributed goals in both games he has seen action in thus far in preseason.  With the top 3 centers all but in place (Gomez, Drury, Dubinksy), Nedved is competing with the likes of Blair Betts and Artem Anisimov to be the fourth line center.  Normally a shut down/checking line, coach Renney has been adamant about wanting more offensive production from his fourth line this season.  Nedved will see action tomorrow night against the Lightning at MSG.

Aaron Voros, who has assisted on both of Nedveds goals this preason, got into his first scrap in a Ranger uniform after throwing down with Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador.   Despite having size and youth on his size, Salvador got the best of this battle.

The Rangers have scored just 8 goals in their 4 preseason games.  Granted, the entire team has not played together yet, they have put up a lot of shots per game and have failed to finish.  Sound familiar?

Also, I am as big of a Petr Prucha fan as there is.  But can someone let me, or better still, let him know that preseason has started and he will be expected to rebound of his season of just 7 goals.  Understanding he had limited ice time and was slowed down by injury, he will be counted on this season for production and will be given an opportunity to do so.

The Rangers battle the Lightning tomorrow night at MSG then the Devils at the Garden on Saturday before heading to Europe for their last two preseason games and the season opener in Prague.