SPORTS FOLDEROL

GO FIGURE: New York Rangers have newcomer Erik Gustafsson slotted on the left side of their No. 3 defense despite a reputation for not being very good in his own end. This will be his eighth team in the last five years including a failed training camp with the Islanders. Last year he had a brief scoring streak with Washington before being shipped to Toronto. Inability to pass the puck to teammates has always been a problem yet new Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, who had Gustafsson in Washington, apparently gave him the job ahead of Zac Jones, the native Richmonder who probably would be better off being traded to a team that really wants him. Jones cannot be sent back to AHL Hartford without first going through waivers which he undoubtedly would not clear. In Wednesday night’s 5-2 loss to New Jersey, which finished its preseason schedule unbeaten (6-0), Gustafsson, paired with Braden Schneider, was, for the most part, inconspicuous. His primary contribution was a perfect hip check ...

In the New York Rangers’ preseason opener Sunday, Zac Jones was as solid as his teammates on  defense were shaky. The Richmonder (Glen Allen) played a regular shift, also served at the left point  on the power play and, as usual, moved the puck well against homestanding Boston which won 3-0.  For the most part, Jones was paired with Braden Schneider who was saved from a give-away score by  veteran goaltender Jonathan Quick. An errant pass by Ben Harpur, like Jones a left-handed defender,  led directly to the Bruins’ second goal. Quick, signed to back up Igor Shesterkin, allowed a bad goal to  open the scoring.   As expected, neither team used many players expected to be regulars. Forward Alexis LaFreniere, a  former top overall draft choice, suited up for New York and was used at the right point on the power  play. The last holdover free agent to sign a new contract, he reportedly could be traded if he can’t prove  to new coach Pet...