With the attention of the hockey world back on the NHL, there is some news to report on some New York Rangers prospects both in Hartford and abroad.
As the trade deadline looms for the New York Rangers, inevitably there is speculation about which players may see some time on Broadway before the end of the season. There are a few prospects in Hartford with a good chance.
On Saturday, the Wolf Pack dropped a 2-0 decision to the Springfield Indians on the road. Friday night, the Pack won their 11th straight home game, beating the same Thunderbirds 6-3. Defenseman Joey Keane is becoming a force to be reckoned with. He scored a goal and added two assists in the victory after representing Hartford at the AHL All-Star Game.
Keane has seven goals and 26 points on the season, leading all Wolf Pack defensemen. A righthanded shot, he is fourth in line behind Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox and Anthony DeAngelo, but based on his performance, he could be a call up.
If the Rangers will be looking for lefthanded defensive help, the first choice will obviously be Libor Hajek who is working his way back into shape after an injury. Hajek as two points, both assists, in seven games.
Yegor Rykov had a delayed start to his season, but the Russian import is quietly having a solid season as he gets used to North American ice surfaces. He had his first two point game on January 18 with a goal and an assist.
First round draft pick Vitali Kravtsov is starting to pick up his game. On Friday night he had two assists, the first multi-point game for him this season. He now has two goals and two assists in his last seven games. He may not be scoring by the bushel, but all reports are that he is playing well and his passing is outstanding.
Vinni Lettieri is the leading scorer for the Wolf Pack with 19 goals and 37 points. He played in the All Star Game as a replacement for Igor Shesterkin. After playing 46 games over the last two seasons he hasn’t gotten a sniff of a return to New York this year. He turns 26 in a few days and if he doesn’t see any action in the NHL before the end of this season, his career as a Ranger is probably over.
Of all of the forwards, it has to be assumed that if Kravtsov continues his improvement, that he will see some action in New York this season.
News from Sweden
In Sweden, Lias Andersson made his debut in a 5-0 win for HV71 over Vaxjo on Saturday. He played 11:12 with one shot on goal and a 44% faceoff winning percentage. It was his first action since December 18 when he left the Hartford Wolf Pack and was suspended.
Here’s what he said on the SHL website (translation courtesy of Google): “It was incredibly cool, I have a great love for them so it feels very good to have that reception. I enjoy being here, we have a great team, great fans and great coaches.”
Andersson has a long way to go to rehabilitate his reputation, but at least he is playing in a competitive league. The Rangers have not slammed the door shut on a possible reunion in the future. We’ll keep watching his progress.
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