Andrew Gross, of The Record, spoke with new Ranger Christopher Higgins today about training camp.

Coach John Tortorella threw some criticism Higgins way after his teams scrimmage today, saying that everyone has to skate hard at all times.

“I think it’s pretty much what he expects anytime you’re out there, whether it’s a practice, a game, a conditioning skate,” Higgins said. “I think it’s easy to play for a guy like that. I think it’ll be that way the whole year. I’m trying to get used to it as quickly as possible.”

Higgins said that its never easy to be yelled at by a coach:

“I don’t think he’ll be too shy to let you know how he feels,” said Higgins, joking that Tortorella came “as advertised.” “It should be pretty easy (to understand), not easy iin the work sense.

“This is my first dose of Tortorella and the new team,” Higgins added. “If he singles you out, you definitely take it to heart and try to make yourself better.”

For more from Higgins, visit Ranger rants.

…I like Higgins alot and think he could be a big secondary scoring option for the Rangers. But that isn’t going to happen if he doesn’t skate hard. Of course this is just the first scrimmage and he probably wasn’t going at 100% today, but I have faith that when the puck drops for real, Higgins will bring it.