The Rangers added six players to the taxi squad in advance of tomorrow's game against the Panthers. Of the names, I will say a few surprised me, including one absence. Kevin Rooney landed on the CVID-19 protocol list this morning, likely paving the way for Greg McKegg to be part of the fourth line versus Florida.
UPDATE: #NYR have recalled the following players to the taxi squad:
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 28, 2021
Morgan Barron
Jonny Brodzinski
Tim Gettinger
Adam Huska
Zac Jones
Matthew Robertson
I mentioned in yesterday's blog that New York would have to decide if they wanted veterans at the ready in case of absences or do you have the kids, which impacts the growth they might get in the minors. The Rangers straddled both worlds. Brodzinski and Gettinger fall into the veteran bucket, who can plug and play if needed. Barron is one I thought New York would keep in the minors, allowing him more time to develop while seeing first line minutes.
New York could have promoted Anthony Greco or Justin Richards, but opted for Barron while leaving Lauri Pajuniemi at Hartford. The 22-year-old has posted 14 points (six goals and eight assists), heating up lately with eight points in his last eight games. I wonder if he might get a shot at a third-line winger spot later this year.
On defense, New York went young with Jones and Robetson. I thought Jones was a likely promotion and could see a game or two, especially if Libor Hajek falters while replacing Ryan Lindgren, who is out due to COVID-19 protocol. Jones leads all Wolf Pack defensemen with 17 points (four goals and 13 assists) — nine of which have come in his last six games -- showing he has little left to prove there. Robertson got the nod over Anthony Bitetto and Braden Schneider. Bitetto is working back from an injury he sustained on Nov. 26, which took him out of the mix for now. In terms of Scheider, the best defensive defensemen of the group, Arthur Staple tweeted why he was not called up.
Source says Braden Schneider was unavailable for a call-up to the #NYR taxi squad. Could mean he's in COVID protocol in Hartford. Zac Jones, who practiced with the main group today, and Matthew Robertson were the D selected for the taxi squad.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) December 28, 2021
Huska would normally be viewed as a mild surprise, solely because Keith Kinkaid is up, but he gives the team a needed third goalie. Once Alexandar Georgiev is off the COVID-19 list, look for Huska to be sent back down. The good news is Igor Shesterkin looks ready to go. He recognizes why the groin/leg issue occurred again and has a game plan for increased stretching to be done in the off-season to hopefully avoid another reoccurrence.
The Rangers' top-nine forward group remains fully intact, with the pre-Christmas line combinations set for Wednesday That means a top line of Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Kaapo Kakko, a second line of Artemi Panarin, Ryan Strome and Dryden Hunt and a kid third line of Alexis Lafrenière, Filip Chytil and Julien Gauthier. With Rooney out, look for McKegg to skate alongside Barclay Goodrow and Ryan Reaves.
On defense, with Lindgren out, Monday's practice featured Hà¡jek skating in Lindgren's place next to Adam Fox with Patrik Nemeth, off COVID protocol, back in his bottom-pair spot next to rookie Nils Lundkvist, with. That would leave K'Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba as the probable first unit pair.
Four big games upcoming over the next seven days. Two against Tampa and one each versus Florida and Edmonton.These can be viewed as somewhat of a litmus test, even with Lindgren and Rooney out. Get six points and I would view it as a successful stretch of games.