As expected, the Rangers have recalled several players to serve as this year’s “taxi squad” for the playoffs. With the Connecticut Whale out of the playoffs, the Rangers were able to recall ten players:
- Goalies: Cam Talbot, Jason Missiaen
- Defensemen: Stu Bickel, Dylan McIlrath
- Forwards: Ryan Bourque, Micheal Haley, Brandon Mashinter, J.T. Miller, Brandon Segal, Christian Thomas
Katie Strang is reporting that only Haley will practice with the team. The rest of the players will drive to Washington and travel with the team. They will all serve as emergency replacements if the Rangers get bitten by the injury bug.
After last night’s win that clinched a playoff berth, the Rangers called up forward Kris Newbury. This is likely due to the Ryane Clowe injury, as the power forward was injured in the game and did not return. The Rangers had no spare forwards (to the point where Matt Gilroy had to dress for a late-scratch of Arron Asham). Newbury will be with the club as long as both Clowe and Brian Boyle remain injured.
Just one day after signing an ATO with the Connecticut Whale, the Rangers have agreed to terms with undrafted UFA forward Michael Kantor. The 6’1, 200 lb RW just completed his over-age season with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL, where he put together a line of 20-13-33 and 93 PIMs in 56 games. Throughout his OHL career with Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, and Saginaw, Kantor put together a line of 43-51-94 with 420 PIMs and a -1 rating in 197 games.
Yesterday was a busy day for the Whale, as they made six moves to fill out the roster in time for their Calder Cup run. The Whale called up forwards Jason Wilson, Danny Hobbs, and Jordie Johnston, and goaltender Scott Stajcer from the Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL. In addition, the Whale signed forward Michael Kantor and defenseman Charlie Dodero to ATOs from Sudbury in the OHL.
All six will be with the Whale for their next game on Friday.
The Rangers recalled Chris Kreider from the AHL today, presumably to replace Brian Boyle in the lineup. Boyle limped off the ice in the first period of the game last night and did not return to the game. Boyle also did not skate yesterday, so it’s a safe assumption that Kreider will play in tomorrow’s game against the Florida Panthers.
In six games since his return to the Whale (his third stint this season), Kreider has a goal and three assists. In 48 games, Kreider has a line of 12-11-23 with a -11 rating and 73 PIMs.
In case you missed it, J.T. Miller was returned to the Connecticut Whale of the AHL this afternoon. Miller was actually sent down on the trade deadline –he had to be sent down to be eligible for the AHL playoffs– and immediately recalled by the Rangers. The organization wanted his wrist to be examined by team doctors and not the AHL doctors. It appears that his wrist has healed, so he’s off to the Whale for quality minutes.
J.T. Miller has been recalled for tonight’s game against the Penguins. He was initially returned to Connecticut with Chris Kreider earlier in the day, but the trade of Marian Gaborik necessitated a recall for the game. Kreider was not recalled. Miller was sent down initially so that he would be eligible for the AHL playoffs.
The Rangers stated that they called him up on an emergency basis, in case the newly acquired players could not arrive in time. Since then, news has broke that John Moore and Derek Brassard will arrive in time for the game. Ryane Clowe was already in New York.
Simmons/News
Deadline day was a snoozefest until after 2:00, when all hell broke loose. The Rangers have agreed to send Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets along with D Steven Delisle and D Blake Parlett in exchange for C Derick Brassard, RW Derek Dorsett, D John Moore and a sixth-round pick. Gaborik has agreed to waive his no-trade clause to complete the deal.
Brassard, 25, has seven goals and 11 assists in 34 games this season including a goal and six assists on the power play.
Dorsett, 26, had three goals and six assists in 24 games and was -11. He is out for the rest of the year after breaking his clavicle in early March.
Moore, 22, has played in 17 games, recording one assist. He was -23 last year. Prospect guru Corey Pronman had this to say about Moore: “a high-end skating defenseman who doesn’t have a ton of upside, but can make plays in both ends. 2nd pairing type.” Moore was originally drafted 21st overall in 2009, two picks after Chris Kreider and two ahead of Tim Erixon.
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According to the AHL website, the Rangers have sent J.T. Miller and Chris Kreider to the CT Whale. Coach John Tortorella expressed concern that the magnitude of the virtual playoff games the Blueshirts are playing right now might be too much for the two, so these transactions aren’t a surprise.
The moves clear over $2 million in cap space and ensure that both Miller and Kreider will be eligible for the AHL playoffs. It is possible that New York is looking to acquire another forward today.
After practicing with the Rangers yesterday, 21-year-old prospect Jesper Fast has been assigned to the CT Whale. The 2010 sixth-round pick is eligible to play in both the AHL and NHL, but Fast is required to return to Sweden for the World Championships on April 15th, so it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for him to join the Rangers for just two weeks.
Instead, Fast will continue to practice with the Whale and will likely see some AHL game action. Fast’s demotion has nothing to do with the 23-man roster limit, as that was lifted last night.
The speedy winger tallied 18 goals and 17 assists in 47 games with HV71 of the Swedish Elite League this season.
