With the NHL free-agency season set to begin at noon tomorrow, the Rangers’ situation is just like the Knicks’, minus the cap space, the historic free-agent class, and the eyes of the sports world focused on whether the franchise will be headed in a different direction a week from now. Other than that, though: same situation. Technically, the Rangers do have money to spend under the cap — but a good portion of it will go toward re-signing their own restricted free agents. (Marc Staal, especially, intends to get paid this off-season.) So barring a Scott Gomez–esque money-saving trade, don’t expect a big splash tomorrow. Larry Brooks says a backup goalie will be the priority (naming Martin Biron and Johan Hedberg as options). And the Toronto Sun reports that the Rangers are one of the teams interested in defensive defenseman Anton Volchenkov — which might mean a ticket to Hartford for Wade Redden.