from Andrew Gross of Ranger Rants,

Veteran defenseman Dan Boyle, after his first day of being cleared for contact since breaking his right hand in the season opener Oct. 9 at St. Louis, is not quite ready to make his return to the lineup. Both Boyle and coach Alain Vigneault are targeting sometime “next week,” for Boyle to rejoin the lineup.

The Rangers play back to back games this weekend - Saturday at Toronto and Sunday hosting the Oilers - and then have a mandatory day off on Monday. So it’s not likely Boyle will make it back into the lineup in time for Tuesday’s home game against the Penguins. But if he can practice on Wednesday, Boyle could be back for Thursday’s home game against the Avalanche.

Coach Alain Vigneault confirmed that Derek Stepan would make his season debut at Toronto as he’ll be activated off long-term injured reserve. He’s been out since fracturing his left fibula on Sept. 24.

“I feel good, I feel strong,” Stepan said. “It was good to get back in the mix.”

continued including Tomas Kaberle still skating with the Rangers...