So I took some time off, and I know I'm posting these signings a few days late but thats the beauty of blogging. As of right now I'm not really competing with ESPN so I could allow myself two days to get my thoughts together...

Avery is back after a drawn out and at times hostile arbitration hearing. We all expected that he'd be a Ranger next season but I don't think anyone really expected the hearing to go the route that it did, with Sather calling Avery a "detriment to the team". But in the end, I think both sides got what they wanted, Sather was doing his part ensuring the Rangers sign Avery to a reasonable contract and in the end thats just what they did. Avery wanted $2.6M, the Rangers came in at $1.3M, in the end they met half way at $1.9. Avery will be back doing what he does best next season. Is he a problem at times? Sure. But his antics are worth putting up with. He backs up his teammates, he knocks opponents off their game, he puts the puck in the net and brings the garden crowd to its feet on a nightly basis.

There's not much to say about the Hossa signing, at $850K you can't really get hurt. He worked well at times last year playing on the top line with Jagr and Nylander and may see some time on the top line again next season, but I doubt he'll see much. I expect him to spend most of his time on the third or fourth line and possibly on the penalty kill as well.

With these two back in blue next year, the roster is taking shape and in all likelihood is complete for next season. The team may still look to trade for a D-Man or possibly a back-up goaltender depending on how confident they are in Stephen Valiquette. Personally I think the defense is set, they played sound defensive hockey last season especially during the playoff push and the duration up through the conference semis against Buffalo. The only addition should be rookie Marc Staal.

Here's how I see the Rangers opening night lines as of now:

Straka - Gomez - Jagr

Shanahan - Drury - Prucha

Avery - Dubinsky - Callahan

Hossa - Betts - Hollweg/Orr

If Dubinsky doesn’t get called up to the big show you might see Avery centering the third line with Callahan and Dawes on his flank.

Roszival - Girardi

Malik - Mara

Tyutin - Staal

Of course, all this is speculation, maybe we'll get Selanne and Forsberg. But if not, we should look a lot like what I've layed out above.