GREENBURGH – Rangers coach Mike Sullivan was all business in his joint news conference with GM Chris Drury on the eve of training camp, until he was asked, with the last question, if he was excited to get started.

“I'm real excited,’’ Sullivan said. “It's hard for me to articulate in words, quite honestly. You know, this is a new challenge for me. And I so look forward to the opportunity to get on the ice with these guys.’’

As the Rangers begin their centennial season, Sullivan takes over behind the bench. Peter Laviolette, who in his first season as coach led the team to the Presidents’ Trophy for the best record in the NHL, was fired after the team missed the playoffs in his second season.

Sullivan’s immediate task will be to first get the Rangers back into the playoffs, and then to

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