Scott Morrow could make Rangers debut against Red Wings after AHL recall
The New York Rangers moved out one top prospect and replaced him with another on the roster Sunday, when they recalled defenseman Scott Morrow from Hartford of the American Hockey League and sent down forward Gabe Perreault.
It’s difficult to imagine that the Rangers called up Morrow just to sit him when they host the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. Right-shot defenseman Will Borgen missed New York’s 2-1 shootout win in Columbus over the Blue Jackets on Saturday with an upper-body injury. Assuming he’s out again Sunday, that opens the door for Morrow to play his first game with the Rangers.
Matthew Robertson drew into the lineup against the Blue Jackets, and played his off (right) side on the third defense pair, with pretty mixed results. The Rangers were out-shot 7-4 with Robertson on the ice 5v5 Saturday and out-chanced in high-danger areas 3-1. Their expected goals for with Robertson skating 5v5 was 24.85 percent, per Natural Stat Trick.
The other possibility is that another defenseman is hurt, though that didn’t appear to be an issue Saturday. Rangers coach Mike Sullivan likely will provide more clarity when he speaks with reporters ahead of the Red Wings game.
Morrow is a talented puck mover and a right shot, who could slot in next to Urho Vaakanainen or Robertson on the third defense pair. He has one goal and one assist in 11 games with Hartford, after a solid training camp and preseason with the Rangers.
“I think he’s a big, strong kid,” Sullivan said about the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder near the end of camp. “I think he skates well and has some offensive instincts. He has the ability to run a power play up top. I think he’s getting better defending, and that’s an area I’m fairly confident our coaching staff can help him there.”
The 23-year-old didn’t play Saturday in Hartford’s seventh straight loss, 5-2 to Laval. That could be a sign that the Rangers already made the decision to recall him.
The Rangers acquired Morrow in the K’Andre Miller trade with the Carolina Hurricanes this past offseason. The 2021 second-round pick who starred collegiately at UMASS has six points (one goal, five assists) in 16 NHL games with the Hurricanes. He also recorded 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 52 games with AHL Chicago last season.
Morrow was recalled in mid-October by the Rangers when Borgen was banged up and Carson Sousy already was out injured. However, Borgen was able to play and Morrow soon after was sent back to the minors.
Rangers send Gabe Perreault to minors after 3-game NHL stint
To clear room for Morrow on the 23-player active roster, the Rangers assigned Perreault to Hartford. The 20-year-old played three games this week — each a victory — but saw diminishing ice time and opportunity after a string season debut in a 6-3 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday.
The 2023 first-round pick skated on a line with J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad, secured time on the second power-play unit, and logged more than 14 minutes TOI. He also picked up his first NHL point, an assist on Alexis Lafreniere’s power-play goal against the Predators.
But his ice time decreased and he failed to record a shot on goal in consecutive road wins against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Blue Jackets. During the course of each of those games, Perreault was replaced by Will Cuylle in the top six
“We’ve seen some really good things he’s done. Obviously he’s got real good offensive instincts, sees the play really well. He thinks the game on a high level,” Sullivan told Vince Mercgoliano of The Athletic on Saturday. “I think where his opportunity for growth and improvement is really just strength on the puck and a little bit of quickness. And I think they go hand in hand.
“As a young player, it’s just physical maturity. The speed of the game and the size and the strength of the players at this level is second to none. For most young players, that’s one of the challenges in making the jump to being an impact player at this level.”
At the time of his recall, Perreault led Hartford with five goals and 10 points in nine games. Either Juuso Parssinen or Jonny Brodzinski will take his lineup spot against the Red Wings.
