Over the past year, visitors to newyorkrangers.com have also had the opportunity to join the iamaranger.com community — the first official social network dedicated to the Blueshirts.

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According to Steve Zipay, it’s believed to be in the $600,000 range. Here’s the release:

RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FREE AGENT DEFENSEMAN ALEXEI SEMENOV

New York, September 30, 2009 – New York Rangers President and General Manage…

RANGERS ON DEMAND

Semenov Training Camp Interview
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New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today…

• Preview on Official ‘Late Show’ Site

Ten members of the 2009-10 New York Rangers will make a special appearance on CBS’ "Late Show with David Letterman" on Wednesday night.

The Blueshirts contingent of Henrik Lundqvist, Mari…

Sean Avery was back on the ice for the first time since Sept. 21, wearing an orange no-contact jersey (contact in practice started the problem in the first place) and mostly taking drills for the latter part of practice. Still up in the air as to whether Avery will go on Friday against the Penguins; much may depend on tomorrow’s session and whether he’s able to take some hits the day before the opener.

Avery said he is “ahead of schedule” in his recovery but, like his coach, offered no insight as to whether he’ll be ready to start the season. The left winger last week received “PRP” treatment in the affected knee, in which his own blood was injected into the injured area in an effort to speed the healing.

Did it? “It’s tough to say,” Avery said. “I’m certainly ahead of schedule, so if that’s any indication, it’s either the PRP or I’m actually Superman like I claim to be.”

Don’t remember the last time you had to scratch Superman; as to whether he’ll have to scratch Avery, John Tortorella would only roll his eyes and say, “Oh, I don’t know. … It’s good that he’s skating, but I’m not sure what’s going to happen. That’s the last thing on my mind right now.”

Avery said “I didn’t really push it too far, just did some drills and took some shots” on Henrik Lundqvist while Benoit Allaire looked on. “Hopefully it feels better tomorrow. It felt better today,” Avery added. He worked in with the fourth line on a couple of occasions today, but with him out of the mix, the look in practice today is likely how the Rangers will open the season up front:

Prospal-Dubinsky-Gaborik
Higgins-Drury-Callahan
Lisin-Anisimov-Kotalik
Brashear-Boyle-Voros

Seven defensemen remain, with no movement yet on a contract for Alexei Semenov, whose tryout agreement expires tomorrow.

A few minutes after Tortorella halted a drill to get in Marc Staal’s ear about “listening to ——- instructions,” Gaborik provided one highlight of the session after he was hauled down on a breakaway by Michael Del Zotto. Torts stopped play this time to point Gaborik to the center circle for a penalty shot, and he moved in to beat Lundqvist by snapping off a shot inside the right post.

“Yeah, he’s good on breakaways, no question,” the goalie said afterward. “It’s such a quick release.”

Asked whether Gaborik will get a lick at the occasional shootout this season, Torts just said: “Yeah, he’ll be there.”

***

Also listed as iffy, if you want to call it that, for the opener is Sidney Crosby, though the groin tightness that knocked him out of a preseason game last Thursday seems to be going away, and how could he not be in uniform on Friday night? And speaking of Penguins uniforms, if you need help getting fired up for Friday’s game, here’s a glance at what the Pens added to their wardrobe in a private ceremony last night:

First, the news. Sean Avery practiced today, albeit in an orange “no-contact” jersey, and said his knee felt good, although he said he didn’t push it.
Avery will push a little harder tomorrow, but isn’t venturing a guess on his …

If the Rangers are going to rev up their offense this season — and boy, do they ever need to — newcomer Christopher Higgins figures to be a key part of any renaissance.
“With my speed and anticipation, I create a lot of chances for players on …

The Rangers will play late-night tonight when 10 players join the “Late Show with David Letterman” to read the show’s “Top Ten list.” Henrik Lundqvist, Sean Avery, Marian Gaborik, Marc Staal, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Donald Brashear, Dan Girardi, Brandon Dubinsky and Christopher Higgins will be Letterman’s guests, co-billing with Madonna and Harry Connick Jr. The show airs at 11:35 p.m. on Ch. 2.