While the Rangers landed in the Czech Republic Tuesday and practiced in preparation for Thursday’s exhibition against HC Sparta Prague, the controversy that they left behind on this side of the Atlantic continued to swirl, as Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds escaped punishment from the NHL.

The worst-kept secret in hockey is now as out in the open as the Rangers and Flyers will be on January 2, when they play in the NHL’s fifth Winter Classic. “The Rangers-Flyers rivalry is one of our very best,” said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who finally made it official on Monday at Citizens Bank Park, site of the game.

Last week, Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds, who is black, was hailed for his dignity in dealing with an explosive situation when a banana was thrown at him. There was nothing dignified about Simmonds’ interaction with the Rangers’ Sean Avery Monday, in the first period of the Blueshirts’ 5-3 exhibition loss. TV cameras captured Simmonds appearing to use a homophobic slur as he yelled at Avery.

The good news for the Rangers was that Marc Staal practiced Sunday, and “practiced well,” according to John Tortorella. The bad news is that the All-Star defenseman will not be flying to Europe with the rest of the Blueshirts after Monday night’s game in Philadelphia. The possibility remains that Staal will play in the regular-season opener on Oct. 7 in Stockholm.

The Rangers spent last season waiting for the Dallas Stars to lower their asking price for Brad Richards. When they could not pull off a trade at the deadline, the Blueshirts waited to sign the All-Star center as a free agent. Then they waited all summer to see him play alongside Marian Gaborik on a top line that is expected to make them legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference this season.

When the Rangers drew up their summer plans, signing him was a priority from the start. The Blueshirts’ brass went out and got their man - a savvy veteran with leadership skills and his name engraved on the Stanley Cup - and Friday night he makes his first preseason appearance when the Rangers face the Devils in Newark.

When the Rangers drew up their summer plans, signing him was a priority from the start. The Blueshirts’ brass went out and got their man - a savvy veteran with leadership skills and his name engraved on the Stanley Cup - and Friday night he makes his first preseason appearance when the Rangers face the Devils in Newark.

Before the Rangers began the journey of their 2011-12 season Wednesday night with a 2-1 exhibition loss to the Devils, former Blueshirts center Pat LaFontaine - who knows about the drama surrounding Rangers defenseman Marc Staal - said he believes that even with the greater level of focus on concussions in today’s NHL, more must be done to protect players.

In his first comments since the revelation that he suffered a concussion in February and experienced headaches throughout the summer, Marc Staal said he hopes to be available for the Rangers’ season opener. Still, the All-Star defenseman said doctors have stressed patience with his recovery leading up to the Oct. 7 opener in Stockholm against the Kings.

In his first comments since the revelation that he suffered a concussion in February and experienced headaches throughout the summer, Marc Staal said he hopes to be available for the Rangers’ season opener. Still, the All-Star defenseman said doctors have stressed patience with his recovery leading up to the Oct. 7 opener in Stockholm against the Kings.