As noted earlier, John Tortorella told the media today that 19 year old defenseman Michael Del Zotto will be with the Rangers when the season starts.

“Right now, he’s made the club,” Tortorella said. “Based on his play, he’s made the team. It has nothing to do with minors or juniors.”

Del Zotto can play up to 9 games with the Rangers before his contract officially kicks in.

…I am not surprised that Del Zotto has made the team. I wouldn’t have guessed so at the begining of training camp or even after a few games, but it certainly seems right to give his offense a chance at the NHL level for 9 games. At worst, he struggles and gets sent back to London, but if that happens he has the experience of going through an NHL training camp and a few NHL games.

Del Zotto’s main competition for the sixth defenseman spot, Alexei Semenov, told Andrew Gross that he had no news for him in regards to making the team or receiving a contract.

Gross notes that Glen Sather said that Semenov could start the season on a try-out from the Rangers.

…Like Gross says, it seems like the Rangers want to see who gets put on waivers before committing to Semenov.

John Tortorella also spoke today of trying to shield Henrik Lundqvist from the media as to keep him fresh.

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