First, the obvious: Tom Renney deserves better. He has been one of Malik’s biggest defensers and to snub him in front of the whole team is just inexcusable. Renney is trying to win games and frankly, scratching Malik over the past month was justified.

Secondly, Malik’s attitude has become a me-first type of player. Besides the well documented blowups, after a Ranger win a few weeks ago, the defenseman came out just a few minutes after the game to dispute a +/- call on him. Malik felt he was on the ice for one of the Ranger goals and should be rewarded. That type of pettiness is not championship material.

The Rangers are playing very hard to turn this season around and Malik is making it very clear he doesn’t want to be part of it. It’s time to cut bait. If Glen Sather can’t trade him over the break, then waiving him, with a trip to Hartford may be a good attitude adjustment.

It was Tom Renney’s call, who felt he wanted Callahan in New York.

According the reporters in Greenburgh, Renney changed the lines up. You can read more on Sam Weinman’s blog on that topic.

Also Henrik Lundqvist is still sick with the flu, so if doesn’t take a turn for the better tomorrow and practices in the morning, expect Steve Valiquette again in goal against the Pens tomorrow night.

Speaking of the flu, didn’t Lundqvist get sick last year at this time? Maybe it’s time for a flu shot or something.

Sean Avery though did practice in a non-contact drill, wearing the yellow jersey.

Now, Avery said he expects to play tomorrow,  but expect to have him have a few days for on the shelf until he’s fully ready, so maybe Sunday against Wayne Gretzky’s Phoenix Coyotes.

The rest of the team play tomorrow in Washington as the Rangers look to build on their overtime win on Sunday against the Devils.

Anisimov is a young center selected in the second round of 2006 and currently is playing in Hartford. He competed for a roster spot this training camp, but needed more seasoning.

Cherepanov was the Rangers first pick in last June’s draft and the 18 year-old is currently playing for Avangard Omsk of the Russian Super League.

The tournament starts on Decemeber 26 and runs to January 5.

Kasparaitis seems resigned to the fact no matter how well he plays, he may still be sent down, but still wants to play and even participate in the 2010 Olympics.

It should be interesting to see if the soon to be 35 year-old can make Tom Renney’s decision a tough one when the season starts.

More later on other players and please ignore the typos since I am blogging from the Blackberry to get the info out quick.

After Brendan Shanahan signed yesterday, the Rangers are at the cap, but can go over it by 10 percent before the season starts. Assuming Darius Kasparaitis goes down to Hartford again, that will lash off three million right there.

But it doesn’t really matter to the general public, since the Rangers pay people handsomely to figure this whole thing out.

Now Sean Avery has to be inked and maybe there will be a relief move – Paul Mara, anyone? – before the season starts.

But the Blueshirts look pretty much set.  

More on this on NY Sports Day.

Of the candidates, Sather will look to retain someone who will do the legwork Maloney did over the past decade in teh front office. Both Messier and Graves are inexperienced, yet could get some sort of position to begin their careers, but Schoenfeld has the knowledge of the organization, so will also a considerable look.

Eventually Messier will probably work his way up to the job, The Captain said he was moving to New York and wanted to be Slats’ successor. So, it would be hard to fathom if he was left out in the cold.

As for Maloney, Sather may have a trading partner. Larry Brooks mentioned a possible Al Montoya for the third overall pick. We shall see what prospects Maloney liked more than Sather and if any deals come to pass.

You can read more about this on NY Sports Day.