The Rangers have called up RW Dale Weise. This is Weise’s first ever call up to the NHL. In 73 games this season with the Wolfpack, Weise has put together a line of 28-21-49 with 114 PIMs. According to Mitch Beck of Howlings.net, Weise is one of the players on the Hartford roster that is NHL ready. To make room on the roster, center Corey Locke was re-assigned to the AHL. In his three game call up, Locke was held off the scoreboard and finished with a +1 rating.
Following the trade deadline, NHL clubs are allowed a maximum of four call ups until the end of the season. With Weise’s call up, the Rangers will not be allowed to make any more call ups for the rest of the season. This includes players like Locke who were called up and then sent back down.
The Rangers had a very heroic comeback win last night. I am in Atlanta, thus I could not watch the game. But I was getting text messages and saw that the Rangers, down 2-0 going into the second fired off four unanswered goals, three in the second period, en route to the 4-3 victory. It was a good victory, even if flawed during the first period. Torts relied heavily on his workhorses, and they delivered. Those workhorses did not include the recently called up Corey Locke or Anders Eriksson.
Starting with Eriksson, the defenseman played just 7:44, none of which were on special teams. With this decreased playing time, only two possible conclusions can be made. The first is that Eriksson was being taught a lesson by coach John Tortorella, and was benched for a period of time, or that Eriksson simply has not won over the coach, and his ever decreasing playing time is a result. Regardless, it makes sense to insert Matt Gilroy back into the lineup if Eriksson is only playing seven minutes a game.
Moving on to Locke, whom many fans wanted to see on the Rangers due to his “pretty” statistics in the AHL, the tiny forward skated in just 6:35 of the 60 minute game, with his time tapering off towards the end of the game. He also did not play a single second on the powerplay, which is supposed to be his specialty and source of all his points in the AHL. When Enver Lisin generally sees more ice time, it is safe to say that Locke’s debut wasn’t a success. I wouldn’t expect him to be with the Rangers much longer. Hopefully, Sean Avery and Ryan Callahan will be back in the lineup for the trip to Florida, and there will be no need for Locke in the lineup.
Well Rangers fans, you got your wish. Corey Locke has been recalled by the Rangers, as per the AHL transaction log. Locke will likely skate in place of the injured Sean Avery, who injured his leg in an attempt to beat out an icing call against Toronto on Saturday. Locke has pretty numbers in the AHL, but there is a reason why he has only seen one professional game in his entire career. Numbers aren’t everything.
According to Zipay, the Rangers have signed Tyler Arnason, on a two-way deal.
Sather loves his third liners, I’m indifferent on this one. Since it’s a two-way deal, he can be sent to the minors, so I doubt it’s for much money. Details later.
And in case you missed it earlier in the week, the Rangers signed non-roster rookie camp invitee Chris Chappell. He will add some depth to the Wolfpack.
Update:Arnason, 30, played with Colorado last year, putting up 5-17-22 and a -16 in 71 games. His best season was in 2003-2004 with Chicago, when he put up 22-33-55.
It’s a depth signing, something to promote competition during training camp.
Update 12:05pm: Corey Locke signed as well. Carp has the details. That’s a Hartford signing.
P.A. Parenteau, one of Hartford’s top scorers last year, also resigned.
