I want to send my best wishes to John Giannone, who revealed on MSG Networks in Hockey Fights Cancer Night that he has been battling prostate cancer. I am rooting for him. Thankfully, his prognosis is good, and they caught the cancer early. Giannone encourages others to get tested for cancer early.

When Artemi Panarin took a hooking penalty just 25 seconds into overtime, the look of exasperation on his face as he skated to the penalty box was palpable. It was an expression of more than just that penalty, though. The Rangers fell to the Dallas Stars at the Garden last night 5-4 in overtime.

Team USA won gold in World Juniors this week, and Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue were part of the effort. Perreault recorded 10 points (3 G, 7 A) in seven games, and Drew Fortescue registered four points (1 G, 3 A) in seven games.

There have been some injury updates on the Rangers that have resulted in a waiver wire acquisition. Chris Kreider has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Sunday with an upper-body injury (back spasms). He has been fighting back spasms all season, which has contributed to his bad play. The Rangers were able to make a solid claim off the waiver wire yesterday, claiming Arthur Kaliyev from the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers will play Kaliyev as soon as Thursday night, along with Matt Rempe (who will return from suspension), so Jonny Brodzinski will play tonight. Also, Igor Shesterkin participated in today’s practice.

Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will get to keep their jobs. John Mara and Steve Tisch both feel that stability is best for this organization, and the players seem to agree.

Mara was asked why the team didn’t tank against Indianapolis last week, and he replied, “[Tanking] won’t happen while I’m on this side of the grass. I’d fire everyone in the organization.” He hopes that in terms of how long it will take the team to become productive, “it better not take too long. I’m just about running out of patience.” Mara also said that finding a franchise quarterback of the future is the “number one issue” this offseason, whether that quarterback is acquired via draft or trade.

Captain Quick?

With Igor Shesterkin injured, Jonathan Quick has stepped in as the Rangers primary netminder. When Shesterkin got hurt last season after a mediocre first half, Quick stepped in and stole the show, helping the Rangers through a .500 stretch to stay afloat in the President’s Trophy race. I always said that Quick was the difference maker that helped the Rangers establish the best record in hockey and one of their best records ever, and the 38-year-old earned a contract extension as a result. Perhaps a turnaround is coming for the 2024-25 Rangers, who are now undefeated in the year 2025.