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Rangers forward Rick Nash returned to the ice Tuesday after missing practice on Sunday with a sore foot. Nash blocked a shot with his foot during the team's last preseason game against the Los Angeles Kings in Las Vegas on Friday.

Nash is skating as right wing on a line with Derek Stepan and veteran Brad Richards. Though Richards is a natural center, he has been moved to left wing for now.

Another interesting development for the day, though it could mean very little:

Captain Ryan Callahan, who was cleared for contact last week, is in a yellow non-contact Tuesday along with Carl Hagelin. Both players are recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. Again, this doesn't necessarily mean Callahan suffered a setback, but he was in a normal blue contact jersey when the team last practiced on Sunday.

UPDATE: Breathe easy, Rangers fans.

Despite reverting back to the yellow jersey generally reserved for non-contact players, team captain Ryan Callahan said he has not suffered a setback in rehabbing his surgically-repaired left shoulder.

"Full contact. Same as always," Callahan said. "[The jersey is] just for drills."

Though Callahan knew when he saw the sweater in his dressing room stall that it would invite some questions, he explained that it was done so he and fellow injured player Carl Hagelin could practice together without confusion. Coach Alain Vigneault also said that the sartorial change held no special significance.

Callahan said that his shoulder actually "felt great" and "responded well" to contact in Sunday's practice, but that the season opener on Thursday in Phoenix remained unrealistic.

"I think Thursday's a no-go," he told ESPNNewYork.com.

Vigneault said this past weekend that the 28-year-old winger is unlikely to play against the Coyotes. The Rangers' second game of the season is Monday against the Kings in Los Angeles, which has yet to be ruled out as a potential return date by either the team or Callahan.

The Rangers have whittled their number to 24 with a final round of cuts that pares the club down to its opening-day roster.

Among the notable names cut were Chris Kreider, Marek Hrivik, Stu Bickel, Oscar Lindberg and Darroll Powe, all of whom have been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. Also assigned to Hartford: defenseman Conor Allen and forward Brandon Mashinter.

That means a few newcomers -- Swedish winger Jesper Fast and defenseman Justin Falk -- earned spots with the club after impressing Alain Vigneault and his staff during training camp. Remember, though, that both Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin are expected to miss the first few weeks of the season as they rehab shoulder injuries.

Here is your final opening-day roster:

Forwards (15): Arron Asham, Brian Boyle, Derick Brassard, Ryan Callahan, Derek Dorsett, Jesper Fast, Carl Hagelin, J.T. Miller, Dominic Moore, Rick Nash, Benoit Pouliot, Taylor Pyatt, Brad Richards, Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello.

Defensemen (7): Michael Del Zotto, Justin Falk, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, John Moore, Marc Staal, Anton Stralman

Goaltenders (2): Martin Biron, Henrik Lundqvist

• • •

In other Rangers news, recently-signed restricted free agent Derek Stepan is slated to skate with the team Sunday for the first time since inking a two-year, $6.15 million deal on Thursday.

Lost in the shuffle of a very newsworthy day in Vancouver on Thursday -- Derek Stepan and the Rangers finally agreed on a two-year deal, ending a worrisome contract stalemate -- was another heartening development for the club.

Captain Ryan Callahan has been cleared for contact.

That's a significant step for the 28-year-old winger, the heart-and-soul leader of the team, toward making his return to the lineup after having shoulder surgery this summer.

Though the Rangers doused any hope he'll be in the lineup on opening night, Oct. 3 against the Phoenix Coyotes, Callahan himself said a few weeks back that he's not ruling it out. Remember also that the Rangers said Marc Staal would not play in the 2012 Winter Classic when he was eyeing a return from a severe concussion; he did.

Regardless, the benchmark is a significant one in that it means the Rangers will not be without one of their most important offensive catalysts for long, a relief considering Carl Hagelin is also rehabbing his shoulder from the exact same surgery and is not expected to play the first few weeks of the season.

Callahan had 16 goals and 31 points for the Rangers last season.

Even though there was a collective cringe Monday night when Rangers general manager Glen Sather took to the team-owned airwaves and criticized unsigned restricted free agent Derek Stepan -- what many interpreted as a clear sign that negotiations would become increasingly nasty and drawn out -- the 23-year-old agreed to terms just a few days later on a modest two-year deal.

That deal, which a source confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com is worth a total of $6.15 million over two years, is a steal considering Stepan’s worth to the team.

Although unfortunate, Sather's comments Monday night (he instructed Stepan to be "wiser" about the decision and even dropped the word "fool" into the conversation), were a reflection of the team's leverage in the protracted situation.

For one, Stepan had no arbitration rights. Furthermore, it wasn't like the Rangers had oodles of cash to drop on the 23-year-old pivot, especially considering the somewhat surprising decision by the team NOT to buy out Brad Richards' contract this summer. The team also knew that the possibility of sitting out any portion of the season had to be an unappealing one to Stepan, even more so with his Olympic candidacy at stake.

So the Rangers held firm on sticking around the $3 million average annual value (Stepan's comes in just north of that at $3.075 million per year) and got their probable first-line center under contract with a very team-friendly deal -- one that is very likely to be considered under value market for the dynamic youngster.

Though Stepan missed valuable time in training camp with the Rangers, who are learning a new system under coach Alain Vigneault, he will be available for the team's season opener Oct. 3 against the Phoenix Coyotes. Not having him in the lineup could have been a disaster for the Rangers with captain Ryan Callahan and fellow top-six forward Carl Hagelin unlikely to play (both players are coming off shoulder surgery this summer and are expected to miss at least the first few weeks).

Because of those absences in the lineup, and the uncertainty about Richards' ability to bounce back after an atrocious 2013 season, Stepan's presence is of the utmost importance to the Rangers' success this season.

The former University of Wisconsin standout led the team in scoring with 18 goals and 44 points in 48 games last season, and the Rangers will count on him to be a consistent playmaker and contributor again this season.

Stepan probably will not see any preseason action -- he is expected to fly to New York on Thursday night to rejoin the team when they return from the West Coast -- so he may be a little behind, but as the Rangers can surely attest, a rusty Stepan is far better than no Stepan at all.

Preseason hockey has already been rife with drama, from Sam Gagner's broken jaw at the hands of Zack Kassian to the John Scott-Phil Kessel-David Clarkson debacle that followed just a day later. Thursday night in Vancouver will provide another interesting storyline to follow.

That is when John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault will cross paths for the first time since playing Coach Swap this summer. Following seven seasons with the Canucks, the last of which ended with a first-round sweep by the San Jose Sharks, Vigneault was brought to New York as the affable, even-keeled antithesis to his brash, tough-talking predecessor.

Meanwhile, Tortorella, who wore out his welcome in the Big Apple and made his fair share of players bristle under his watch, is back behind the bench in Vancouver, trying to provide a skilled team with a jolt.

The two clubs square off Thursday night in a match that has less to do with the personnel on the ice and more to do with the regime change in both cities.

The Rangers have touted their “clean slate” mentality under Vigneault, a clear message that they had endured enough under Tortorella’s tenure. Meanwhile, the Canucks have also seemed to embrace their new voice, even if it means some profanity-strewn tirades along the way.

Tortorella, whose rocky relationship with reporters is well-documented, has not spoken to anyone from the New York media since his departure in late May. Perhaps he’ll have some things to get off his chest when they all descend on Rogers Arena before the game.

Vigneault has already said he plans to thank people he didn’t get a chance to thank upon his hasty exit, but don’t bet on Tortorella taking the same diplomatic, genial approach.

Of all the things you can say about the fiery coach, he’s never boring.

Buckle up.

There appears to be no enmity between Rangers coach Alain Vigneault and his former club. In fact, Vigneault, who coached the Canucks for seven seasons before being dismissed last spring, said he plans to give thanks in his first return to Vancouver since his firing.

"When I got let go, I didn't have a chance to say thank you to the people I was working with because I wasn't in Vancouver at the time," Vigneault said in a televised MSG interview Tuesday night. " All those people I was working with are there right now and I am going to take that opportunity to thank them."

That said, Vigneault also made it clear he wasn't headed back there simply to take a stroll down memory lane. In his first season with the Rangers, Vigneault has some important personnel decisions to make as training camp nears its end.

"It was a great time with Vancouver but now it's time to get it done with the Rangers," he said.

Whether his successor in Vancouver (and predecessor in New York considering the bizarre coaching swap) will express similar sentiments remains unclear. John Tortorella has not spoken with the New York media since his departure.

Should be an interesting pregame press conference Thursday morning...

• • •

The Rangers announced that they have sent forwards Micheal Haley, Michael Kantor, Danny Kristo, and Andrew Yogan, defensemen Tommy Hughes, Aaron Johnson, Dylan McIlrath, and Danny Syvret, and goaltender Cam Talbot down to the American Hockey League.

This leaves the Rangers with 30 players on the active roster.

The Rangers announced Wednesday afternoon that they have released Johan Hedberg from his professional tryout contract with the team.

The 40-year-old netminder, who backed up Martin Brodeur in New Jersey the past three seasons, was expected to challenge Martin Biron for the No. 2 job behind Henrik Lundqvist.

Now that Hedberg has been released, the only competition Biron faces for the gig is Cam Talbot, though it appears likely that Talbot will assume the starting job for the AHL's Connecticut Whale.

Biron turned away all six shots faced in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Flyers Tuesday night.

The Rangers also announced that Ryan Bourque, Josh Nicholls, Shawn O'Donnell, Michael St. Croix, and Brendon Nash have been assigned to Hartford.

Ready for some hockey? Katie Strang answered your burning NHL questions.

Read the chat wrap here.

PHILADELPHIA -- After a sparkling start to his Rangers’ tenure last season, Derick Brassard wasn’t quite sure what to expect heading into camp this fall.

Though he emerged as one of the bright spots of the Rangers' disappointing playoff run with 12 points in 12 games last spring, Brassard came to New York knowing there would be a new coach, new system and plenty of new faces on the team.

From the looks of it Tuesday night, the 25-year-old center is poised to build on last season’s success.

In leading the Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Flyers in Philadelphia (and the first under new coach Alain Vigneault), Brassard finished with a goal, an assist and what appeared to be some pretty good chemistry with linemates Benoit Pouliot and Mats Zuccarello.

“I was pretty pleased with how our line played tonight,” said Brassard, who earned first-star honors for the night.

He admittedly did not have to do much to notch his first goal of the preseason. Zuccarello made a beautiful behind-the-net feed right to Brassard’s tape. Brassard roofed it from the right circle to beat Flyers goaltender Steve Mason and give the Rangers a 1-0 lead just 1:10 into play in the second period.

“Zuke, honestly, I got to know him a lot and he’s a special player. When you look at him, he’s not big but he’s really shifty. He sees the ice really well,” Brassard said. “All credit to him, I didn’t do too much.”

Brassard picked up an assist later in the game when he scooped a rebound and dished off to Pouliot, who darted to the crease for the go-ahead goal that snapped a 2-2 draw in the second period.

“It’s a little confidence-booster to score a goal, whenever it is,” Pouliot said.

Though Pouliot has never played with Brassard outside of training camp, he’s played against him enough to know what type of skill he possesses.

“For him, when he gets the puck, he’s real dangerous,” Pouliot said. “If you play against him, you don’t want him to have the puck down low. He’s shifty, he’s quick ... he’ll make that sauce pass. That tough one that’s hard to make, he’ll make it.”

On a night where he could have identified a lot that he’d like to tweak or fix, Vigneault was encouraged to see that sort of production and play from Brassard’s line.

"There seems to be a little bit of chemistry there, and hopefully it’s going to continue to improve," Vigneault said.

The Rangers are hoping that Brassard will continue to develop like he did toward the end of last season, when he was traded to New York at the deadline and gave his new team a much-needed offensive jolt.

Considering the Rangers are still without Derek Stepan, who has missed training camp while locked in a contract stalemate with the club, there is some significant pressure for Brassard to provide that depth and production down the middle.

“I know last year I had another level in my game that I wanted to show," he said. "Maybe I showed it, but now it’s a new season, only one game, one preseason game.”

What it means: The Rangers got their first win under new coach Alain Vigneault as they topped the Flyers 3-2 Tuesday night in Philadelphia, and Derick Brassard appears poised to pick up where he left off from last season. After scoring a goal of his own in the second period, the 25-year-old center picked up an assist on Benoit Pouliot’s third-period marker to finish with two points (1 goal, 1 assist) on the night.

Sweet set up: Rangers winger Mats Zuccarello made the pass of the night with a beautiful feed from behind the net right to Brassard’s tape. Brassard roofed it from the right circle just 1:10 into the second period to beat Flyers goaltender Steve Mason and give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.

Goalie change: It was a slow night for Martin Biron, who faced only six shots. He was replaced midway through the second by Cam Talbot, who surrendered a goal just over two minutes after the goaltending change when Max Talbot beat him high-glove off a left-wing rush in the second period.

Powe gets a piece: With the game tied at 1 and less than a minute remaining in the second period, Darroll Powe deflected Andrew Yogan’s shot for a 2-1 Rangers lead. Powe was one of three players playing back-to-back games.

Long road ahead: The Rangers leave Friday for a trip out west that includes stops in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Las Vegas (versus Los Angeles). The road doesn’t get any easier after that. Because of renovations at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers open with their first nine games on the road. They do not return for their home opener until Oct. 28.

Tough night on D: Dylan McIlrath was on the ice for both Flyers’ goals Tuesday night, a difficult night for the 21-year-old defensive prospect. Sean Couturier capitalized on a turnover, tying the game from the crease, 2-2, at 2:28 of the third period.

Up next: Rangers vs. Flames, Monday at 9 p.m.

At a glance: The Rangers play their second game in as many nights when they head to Philadelphia to square off against the Flyers, but with a fresh crop of faces following Monday night's 2-1 loss to the Devils.

Eyes on Oscar: Perhaps the Rangers' most intriguing piece of leverage in the Derek Stepan contract stalemate? The emergence of young center Oscar Lindberg. The young Swede has impressed management and coaches alike. According to coach Alain Vigneault, the 21-year-old will get a "real, solid look."

Still no Step: Still unsigned, restricted free agent Stepan has now missed six days of training camp while he awaits resolution with his contract situation. Stepan is the first holdout since Brandon Dubinsky back in 2009. Dubinsky missed eight days before ultimately signing a two-year deal.

Welcome back: Dominic Moore was impressive in returning from a lengthy hiatus from the NHL. The 33-year-old veteran, who did not play last season after the death of his wife Katie, kicked off his second tour as a New York Ranger with the team's lone goal in Monday's defeat. Moore is one of three players who will be playing in back-to-back games Tuesday, along with Darroll Powe and goaltender Cam Talbot.

Fresh faces: The Flyers added to their roster with some newsworthy off-season moves, the biggest of which was the signing of long-time Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier. Philly also brought in former Islanders captain Mark Streit on defense.

Power outage: It's a little early to resume assailing the power-play, but the Rangers clearly still have some work to do. The struggling unit, which was a dismal 15.7 percent last season, failed to cash in on all of four man-up opportunities Monday night against the Devils.

New era in net: Goaltender Steve Mason, acquired by the Flyers in a trade last April, gets the start Tuesday for Philadelphia. The Flyers cut ties with Ilya Bryzgalov via compliance buyout this summer.

Listed below is the group that will travel to Philadelphia Tuesday to face the Flyers in the team's second exhibition game of the preseason. Note that Dominic Moore, who tallied a third-period goal in Monday night's 2-1 loss to the Devils, Cam Talbot, who replaced Henrik Lundqvist, and Darroll Powe will be playing in back-to-back games

Forwards: Andrew Yogan, Taylor Pyatt, Micheal Haley, Benoit Pouliot, Darroll Powe, Oscar Lindberg, Dominic Moore, Derick Brassard, Jesper Fast, Michael Kantor Derek Dorsett, Mats Zuccarello.

Defensemen: Dylan McIlrath, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Danny Syvret, Anton Stralman, Conor Allen

Goaltenders: Martin Biron, Cam Talbot

NEWARK, N.J. -- During the first week of training camp, Marc Staal sounded confident that the harrowing eye injury that sidelined him for half of last season would no longer be an issue.

He skated all summer, gave his eye time to heal and adjust, and finally felt comfortable with his ability to read and react on the ice.

But all that meant very little until he actually played a game.

After Monday’s first exhibition match of the 2013-14 season, a 2-1 loss to the Devils, Staal had the relieved look of someone who had passed a very significant milestone.

The 26-year-old defenseman, who missed several months after being struck in the eye with a puck during a game in March, played 21 minutes, 56 seconds over 25 shifts and came away feeling a world of difference from the previous time he tried to return, during the playoffs this past spring.

“I felt good in July, good going into camp, but there’s no animal like a game,” Staal said. “To feel as good as I did the first few shifts, I was comfortable out there. I was confident I was seeing everything. It was a bit of a relief ... and I’m just glad it’s over and I can keep playing again.”

That also has to be a tremendous relief to the Rangers, who need the steady, sound blueliner to anchor their back end along with the likes of Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh.

His absence created a void that was difficult to fill this past spring, especially once the playoffs began and the games (and competition) got tougher.

Although Staal valiantly attempted to come back and help the Rangers during the team’s first-round series against the Washington Capitals, he quickly realized he wasn’t ready.

On Monday he had no such worry once the puck dropped and he played his first few shifts with defensive partner Michael Del Zotto.

“As soon as I got through the intensity of the first few shifts, I couldn’t even compare it with the game I played in the playoffs in the way I felt,” Staal said. “It went really good.”

New coach Alain Vigneault, who was behind the bench for the first time since being hired in June to replace John Tortorella, was pleased to see Staal return with no complications. He said he could sense the trepidation from him before the game.

“You could tell he was a little anxious and a little nervous, and rightfully so,” Vigneault said. “I thought he didn’t give up on pucks when the puck was bouncing, he talked to his partner all night long and I think it’s only going to get better for Marc.”

Because of the 27 games he missed last season, Staal is aiming to play more than usual this preseason. Although he will not play Tuesday in Philadelphia, Staal is planning on playing in three of the next four games that follow once the team heads out west for the rest of its exhibition tour.

NEWARK, N.J. -- After over a year away from the NHL, Dominic Moore began his second tour as a New York Ranger on a high note, with a goal in the Rangers’ 2-1 loss to the Devils and high praise from his new coach.

Considering how long it’s been since his last NHL game -- April 16, 2012 -- and the painful part that came between, the 33-year-old Moore deserved the accolades after Monday’s first exhibition game of the season.

Moore, who did not play last season following the death of his wife, Katie, knew timing and game pace would be an issue, but he didn’t show it as he made a nifty play to backhand the puck past Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid in the third period. It was the Rangers’ only goal of the game.

“I was very impressed,” new Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said of Moore’s performance. “For a guy who’s been off for a whole year, to come out the way he did, to talk to players the way he did on the bench ... I give him full marks, full credit for getting himself ready to play. He came tonight and had a real good game.”

Moore, who inked a one-year, $1 million deal in July, was a bit more modest, admitting there are still elements of his game that require fine-tuning. He anticipated as much after the lengthy absence, which made Monday’s game a little different from others in years past.

“I think you’re a little bit more unsure just because you haven’t played in so long, what to expect. There were some good things, and some things I just know will come,” said Moore, who previously spent 2003-06 with the Rangers. “I’m very patient and realistic about it.”

In terms of conditioning, however, Moore seems to have no complaints. In fact, he’s totally on board with playing back-to-back games Tuesday against Philadelphia.

Moore is one of only three players besides goaltender Cam Talbot, who played 21:34 after replacing Henrik Lundqvist in the second period and Darroll Powe, who will be back in the lineup again Tuesday.

That was by design, Moore said, as he wants to hasten the adjustment period as much as possible this preseason.

“I think that’s good for me. Day by day it’s a matter of getting the timing and feel back. I know what I can do, I know how I can play, I know what my game is, it's just a matter of getting comfortable,” Moore said. “Every game there’s adjustments and the more games I can play, the better it will be.”

A veteran of eight years, Moore came into camp prepared physically and mentally. He also came in with realistic expectations. Learning the style and concepts of a new coach and adapting to a new team will take time, but Moore seemed confident those things will come.

“I feel good. I feel strong, I feel fast. Skills feel good,” he said. “All the adjustments, both as a team with the systems and just the feel of the game, will just get better each game I play.”

• • •

Young winger Danny Kristo, who picked up an assist on Moore's third-period marker, was impressive in his preseason debut. The 23-year-old forward, who skated with Brian Boyle and Marek Hrivik, was recognized by Vigneault after the game for his play.

"I really liked his game," Vigneault said of the former University of North Dakota standout. "He showed some real poise and some really good offensive abilities."

What it means: In the first game -- albeit a preseason one -- of the Alain Vigneault era in New York, the Rangers surrendered bragging rights in a 2-1 loss to the Devils at Prudential Center. Naturally, it wasn't pretty hockey, but more importantly it was a chance for Vigneault to catch a glimpse of his new charges in action. And let's not start on the impotent power play quite yet. Keep in mind the new guy hasn't had much time to work with the ailing unit, which, judging from Monday, still has plenty of room to improve.

Devils debut: Devils goaltender Cory Schneider received a warm welcome in his first game since joining New Jersey in a shocking draft-day trade in June. Schneider made a terrific stick save to rob Brad Richards early in the second period and had the Prudential Center crowd chanting his name later on in the middle frame. The former Canuck, who is slated to back up Martin Brodeur during the regular season, turned away all 22 shots faced over two periods of play before being replaced by Keith Kinkaid.

Back in blue: After missing all of last season following the death of his wife, Katie, Dominic Moore returned to action for his second tour as a Ranger, scoring a third-period goal that cut the Devils’ lead in half. Moore backhanded a rebound past Kinkaid at 4:50 for the Rangers’ lone goal of the night.

Teddy time: Devils winger Rostislav Olesz set up linemate Mattias Tedenby with a sharp behind-the-back pass for the first goal of the game. Tedenby chipped the puck past Henrik Lundqvist from in front for a 1-0 Devils lead at 10:20 of the first period.

New addition: Less than an hour before the puck dropped at Prudential Center, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello announced the team had signed Swiss forward Damien Brunner to a professional tryout contract for training camp. The 27-year-old Brunner, who had 12 goals and 26 points as a Detroit Red Wing last season, will begin practicing with the Devils on Tuesday, Lamoriello said.

Drop the gloves: Rangers forward Brandon Mashinter and Devils tough guy Cam Janssen sparked a response from the crowd in the second period as the two dropped the gloves for a heavyweight bout. Both players received fighting majors plus additional minors for taking off their helmets before tussling.

Up next: Rangers at Flyers, Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET; Devils vs. Islanders, Thursday at 7 p.m.