May 10, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; New York Rangers right wing Aaron Asham (45) is checked by Washington Capitals right wing Troy Brouwer (20) in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Let us report with the news that we expected: No Rick Nash sighting at Ranger practice. Was in the facility, but no signs of him skating before the team went on, and no plans for him to skate after today’s practice. No real update was given on his time table. But with a concussion, it could be tomorrow, or it could be a couple weeks, months even.
In some surprising roster moves that have many Ranger fans and bloggers alike speculating on Twitter. Andrew Gross, Steve Zipay, Pat Leonard, Katie Strang, all reported and Gross confirmed it with Slats that both Aaron Asham and Martin Biron have been placed on waivers.
In a twist as into why player x or player y wasn’t put on waivers. It was a telling sign that Asham wasn’t dressed for the game against St. Louis. A player that was really fighting for his life, really didn’t bring the spark that the Rangers needed. Didn’t really bring the energy that he once could. If Asham is assigned to Hartford, his cap hit will only be $75,000.
Another player that just didn’t get on the good sign of Alain Vigneault was Martin Biron. In two appearances, Biron was 0-1-0, with a 7.65 GAA and a .763 SV%. Biron didn’t get a lot of time in the preseason, as he saw minimal action, as Cam Talbot was primairly used as the backup for the early stages of preseason. Biron has appeared in two games with the Rangers, that includes the 9-2 drubbing by the hands of the San Jose Sharks. Which includes Tomas Hertl’s highlight reel goal, and Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the Blues. If Biron doesn’t get claimed, his cap hit will be $375,000.
The goaltender most likely to now backup the King: Cam Talbot, who showed flashes of being NHL ready during the preseason. Expect him to get called up and be the backup for the Rangers. His cap hit is only $526,000, and if the Rangers are looking to save some salary cap dollars, he is the wise choice.
As for the forwards, as many are clamoring to see the return of Chris Kreider and JT Miller to the Ranger lineup, it won’t happen, at least not yet. Both players need to develop in the AHL, get use to the system more, and both are doing just that. Kreider has shown improvement, but he still needs a few AHL games under his belt to show that he fully understands the system, and can play consistently.
As for Miller, while he showed in the preseason and the game against Phoenix that he understands the system, he’s another player that needs some time to really adjust and get consistent.
Forget what I just was typing, according to the Rangers official website, JT Miller has been called up to replace Aaron Asham. The AHL website is not reporting that transaction, but as soon as we find out its official, we’ll update you on that.
Update (4:51PM): Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News just posted this gem…
#NYR have placed Rick Nash on injured reserve. Frees up extra roster spot for them to add two forwards and Talbot if they want
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) October 14, 2013
Yikes, no good. No good at all.
Update 2 (5:24PM): More from Pat, on the whole IR thing:
IR keeps a player ineligible for 7 days, Ranger fans. After that, player can return IF HEALTHY. Can be retroactive to date of injury #FYI
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) October 14, 2013
Nash by rule could come off IR on Wed, but it is clear he will not. So the IR tag was applied so #NYR could add two more skaters right away
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) October 14, 2013
Better, but not great news either way.