2008-2009 Schedule, Sjostrom Close to Signing http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=SubseasonSchedule   The above hyperlink will get you to NHL.com, where the full NHL 2008-2009 Schedule is accessible for all teams.  The Rangers opening home game at the Garden will be against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, October 10th.  The Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins will compete in the NHL Premiere on Oct. 4-5 in Prague and Stockholm. The Rangers will also play Russian club Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the IIHF Victoria Cup on Oct. 1 in Bern, Switzerland. Rangers will play back-to-back nights in Prague against the revamped Lightning, who now boast No. 1 draft pick Steven Stamkos.  These games are going to be remembered for a long time to come, and tickets are on sale now at: www.newyorkrangers.com   In other news, Freddie Sjostrom is rumored to be aiding the Rangers financially by taking a pay cut from a reported $800,000, for a two year $650,000 deal.  Nigel Dawes' deal, which I reported earlier at $600,000 was a bit high, as he took the deal he was offered at $587,500, signing on for one year with the Rangers.  That leaves the Rangers with approximately $1.5 million in cap space.  That almost ensures that neither Mats Sundin (or any other high profile player) nor Brendan Shanahan will be able to be signed, unless Shanahan takes a significant cut to remain a Blueshirt.  Signing Shanahan would cause greater harm than good, as having him take up a wing spot on the 3rd or 4th line would just cut back the progress of our young prospects.  Shanhan has done a lot for the Rangers and was a pleasure to have on the team, I just cannot see Tom Renney or Glen Sather giving up much needed cap space to sign a player who in the long run will deter the improvements of young players.   ~syr11~