Blue Notes

In last year's prospect camp, defenseman Marc Staal made a big leap ahead from the prior year. This time, that player is Russian center Artem Anisimov, although whether he follows Staal's footprints to the NHL at the same fast pace is uncertain.

"Artie's had a good week. It's almost been good enough to the point where I don't watch him anymore," coach Tom Renney said this afternoon. "I think Artem is the guy who's made the biggest step forward, and that's confidence as much as anything else. He's actually here a little lighter than he was a year ago. I'd like him to be a little heavier to handle the rigors of an NHL season---10 or 12 pounds is what I think he needs on him--- and we've got a couple months to get a bit of that back. He's probably been the guy that's been able to separate himself."

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Before Russian teenager Evgeny Grachev was selected by the Brampton Battalion in the Canadian junior draft late this afternoon to begin his North American career, Renney said:
"I love him. He just plays. He's a boy in lots of ways. The question we're asking ourselves is whether he's a center or a winger, and it looks to me like he's fearless, so we'll see. He's got size, he's got ability, we're trying to determine where's the best place for him to start."

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The Rangers will report to training camp here in September two or three days earlier than usual because they will open the season in Prague Oct. 4 and 5 against Tampa.

"It's forcing us to create a split squad in exhibition games...You'll see two teams through the exhibition schedule----(six games in the U.S. and two in Bern, Switzerland, including the Victoria Cup) before Prague," Renney said.

The Rangers met with the NHL and will have several days off after returning from Europe and requested that they open at the Garden.

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Many of these prospects will play in the Traverse City, Michigan tournament in September, although Renney's staff will remain here. Early indications are that among the players expected to participate are Anisimov, Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Del Zotto, Evgeny Grachev, David Skokan, Dale Weise, Brodie Dupont, Tom Pyatt, Justin Soryal, Tomas Zaborsky, Michael Busto, Chris Doyle, Mike Taylor and D Nick Pageau, a tryout who seems to have made an impression. David Kveton is expected to return to the Czech Republic.

"There's a couple guys who have piqued our interest," said Renney. "We'll watch another day in more of a game-type setting. There's a couple guys who could get an invite to Traverse City. We've probably got more speed and quickness here (in the camp), generally, than we've had in the past. And I think the skill level is maybe a litle bit higher."

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Martin Straka's agent has denied a report by a team in his hometown of Plsen in the Czech Republic that the veteran has struck a deal to play there. Agent Rich Winter said Straka has "an aggressive offer" and will entertain other offers after July 1. But it's increasingly clear that the odds are that Straka may not be back in New York after three seasons and is preparing for life elsewhere.