Steve Zipay, of Newsday, writes today about the Rangers inevitable need for change in the off-season.

Among the unrestricted free agents are defensemen Derek Morris and Paul Mara, forwards Nik Antropov, Blair Betts, Colton Orr and goaltender Steve Valiquette. Several won’t return. As for the restricted free agents, Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan are expected back, but decisions will have to be made on Nik Zherdev, Fredrik Sjostrom and Lauri Korpikoski.

Some current players – and pending free agents – might not want to deal with Tortorella’s personality and “conflict is good” agenda. One thing is certain: Tortorella will help shape personnel decisions, and it’s clear he wants scoring, speed and size and will run a brutal training camp to install his system, which he didn’t have time to implement.

Mike Sullivan, a former assistant coach for the Bruins and assistant in Tampa for the past two seasons, is expected to join Tortorella’s staff. Sullivan, like Tortorella a Massachusetts native, played at Boston University and for 11 seasons in the NHL. Assistant general manager Jim Schoenfeld, who filled in as assistant coach and was head coach for Game 6 when Tortorella was suspended, will return to his job.