With arbitration on the horizon Rangers' Brassard excited 'about going back to New York'

New York Rangers forward Derick Brassard caught up with the media at Dominic Moore's Smashfest charity benefit on Thursday night in Toronto. Though he still hasn't been re-signed and has an arbitration hearing scheduled for Monday morning, Brassard is eager to get next season started.

"I tried to get away from the game a little bit, but now I'm back in the gym trying to get stronger and faster," Brassard told the Pat Leonard of the Daily News. "Just this week I was thinking about how excited I am about going back to New York and playing again.

"It's great to see friends and spend time with family in the summer, but after the run we had, I just feel like I want to play again. I want to do this again."

Brassard, 26, was a critical depth contributor for the Rangers last season, centering an excellent third-line that featured Benoit Pouliot and Mats Zuccarello. It's worth noting that both of Brassard's 2013-14 line-mates have signed lucrative contracts this summer. In 81 regular season games, Brassard scored 18 goals and 45 points, adding an additional six goals and 12 points in 23 playoff games on New York's run to the Stanley Cup Final.