NHL

Rangers looking for help on defense

STOCKHOLM — The Rangers placed defensemen Brendan Bell and Stu Bickel on waivers yesterday to create the roster room to add a veteran defenseman should one become available today as NHL teams finalize their rosters.

“We continue to look for help on ‘D,’ ” said coach John Tortorella, who admitted he had concerns about using Bell or Bickel in Marc Staal’s absence in the first two games of the season, here against the Kings on Friday and the Ducks on Saturday. “We’re certainly looking for someone to try and help us.”

Michael Sauer, out since sustaining a sprained shoulder in Philadelphia a week ago Monday, will be good to go on Friday. Sauer, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh and Michael Del Zotto likely will form the top two pairs in yet-to-be-determined combinations, and Steve Eminger forms one-half of the third pair with a partner to be designated later.

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Tortorella made it clear the Rangers don’t expect to land anything more than a third-pair defenseman capable of playing NHL minutes while Staal, who remains at home, attempts to recuperate from the intermittent headaches that have plagued him since the summer.

“If anyone thinks we’re getting a guy who can step into our top four, they’re dreaming,” Tortorella said.