This Week's Agenda

After having a three day break with the training facility closed for the holiday, the Rangers will resume their pre-training camp sessions today. Pretty much the entire squad is taking part in these sessions at this point, with the only big names yet to hit the ice Vinny Prospal and Henrik Lundqvist, both expected to start skating later this week. Henrik Lundqvist arrived in New York earlier this weekend, and will be taking part in some NHL promotions with Marian Gaborik.

Tomorrow, the group of prospects over in Traverse City will be going up against the Detroit Red Wings' team of prospects, which will determine where they land in the placement game on Thursday. At the conclusion of the tournament, all of those players will be making the trip back to New York where they will prepare for training camp.

Speaking of training camp, the Blueshirts only have four more days to prepare for the big event, as it will begin on Saturday. This summer has involved a lot of talk regarding Tortorella's Training Camp, and how it is supposed to test the players both physically and mentally. It has been so hyped up by the coaches, players, and most of all, the fans. Well now it is finally approaching us, and the fight to gain a spot on the roster will begin.

John Tortorella, and new assistant coach Mike Sullivan will be arriving at the training facility later this week to prepare themselves for camp, and to get things in order. I am sure they have been talking a lot with each other as of late, to make sure that they are on the same page, and ready to step into camp with a gameplan. Hopefully we will hear a bit from the two coaches in the media later this week, being that they will both be at the facility. We have heard a lot from Tortorella this summer, something that wasn't the case with Renney, but we have heard basically nothing from Sullivan, so I am looking forward to that.

I assume the Rangers will have full-blown training camp Saturday through Monday, and then we get to watch Blueshirts hockey for the first time since May, as the Rangers host the Bruins at the Garden for their Pre-Season Opener. Here is a look at the full pre-season schedule:

Tue Sep 15, 2009 Bruins Rangers 7:00 PM
Wed Sep 16, 2009 Rangers Devils 7:00 PM
Fri Sep 18, 2009 Rangers Red Wings 7:30 PM
Sat Sep 19, 2009 Rangers Bruins 4:00 PM
Mon Sep 21, 2009 Red Wings Rangers 7:00 PM
Thu Sep 24, 2009 Capitals Rangers 7:00 PM
Sun Sep 27, 2009 Rangers Capitals 12:00 PM

So the pre-season will take place over the course of two weeks, and then once that is completed, final cuts and lineup decisions must be made, because the regular season will kick off on Friday, October 2nd.

Hang in there, only four more days until camp, seven days until preseason, and 24 days until the Regular Season. Also, check back later as I will be sure to post updates from the pre-camp sessions as they come in.
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)