Oddly enough, the Blueshirts did not place Dryden Hunt on waivers or Vitali Kravtsov indicating that a final decision has yet to be made that would also involve Jimmy Vesey, who is on a PTO.

If Vesey is released and no standard contract offered, that would allow the Rangers to keep both Kravtsov and Hunt on the roster. Should Vesey be offered a contract, that could mean a trade is in the works that will have either Hunt or Kravtsov on the move.

On defense, Libor Hajek was not placed on waivers which would indicate he’s won the job as the 7th defenseman. Matt Bartkowski will likely be released from his PTO.

UPDATE: New York Rangers sign Jimmy Vesey to 1-year deal. Read more.

New York Rangers waive Gauthier and Tinordi

Gauthier, 24, scored 3 goals and 7 points in 49 games with the Blueshirts in 2021-22. He was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes back on February 18, 2020 for defenseman Joey Keane. At that time, the former first-round pick had played only 5 NHL games with one assist.

This summer, the Rangers signed him to a 1-year, one-way deal worth $800,000 per CapFriendly. The deal came amid rumors that Gauthier had requested a trade from the Rangers per The Athletic.

Tinordi, 30, is entering the final year of a 2-year deal he signed with the Rangers last summer. He played only 7 games with the big club in 2021-22 picking up a goal, 7 penalty minutes, and a -5 rating.

The big defenseman is expected to clear waivers. Gauthier will be an interesting watch on the wire tomorrow. It’s been rumored that Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis has interest in Gauthier, whom he drafted while with the Carolina Hurricanes.

NHL News and Rumors

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METROPOLITAN DIVISION PREVIEW. Read more.

ATLANTIC DIVISION PREVIEW. Read more.

CENTRAL DIVISION PREVIEW. Read more.

PACIFIC DIVISION PREVIEW: Read more.

The New York Rangers made the call-ups of seven members of the Hartford Wolf Pack official. They are as follows:

• Zac Jones (D)
• Nils Lundkvist (D)
• Jarred Tinordi (D)
• Matthew Robertson (D)
• Tim Gettinger (F)
• Lauri Pajuniemi (F)
• Keith Kinkaid (G)

On Tuesday, the Blueshirts will open their first round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden. For a full look at the schedule with dates, start times, and TV info please click here.

New York Rangers add to roster for playoffs

In the NHL Playoffs there are no roster limits and no salary cap. This allowed the Rangers to add to their deep pool of reserves for what they hope is a long post season run.

If you are wondering why a player like Bobby Trivigno was not included it’s because of CBA rules. A player is only eligible to join the team for the playoffs if they were under contract and their rights belonged to the Rangers prior to the NHL Trade Deadline on March 21.

Trivigno signed on April 1.

Of the seven players added today, Lauri Pajuniemi and Matthew Robertson were the biggest surprises. I felt that Anthony Greco, who played for the Rangers during the regular season would’ve been given consideration.

A look at the Rangers extras

If the New York Rangers are fully healthy for Game 1 on Tuesday, the 7 players from Hartford will lineup behind the these current reserves on the depth chart.

• Ryan Reaves (F)
• Tyler Motte (F – injured)
• Jonny Brodzinski (F)
• Greg McKegg (F)
• Justin Braun (D)
• Libor Hajek (D)

Now let’s take a quick look at the Wolf Pack extras in order of their likelihood to play:

Zac Jones, 21, played 12 games with the Rangers this season and tallied two assists. With the Wolf Pack he was their leading scoring defenseman with 35 points in 52 games. He is without a doubt the most likely player to see playoff action– maybe even over Hajek.

Jarred Tinordi, 30, was signed to a two-year contract in the summer and started the season with the Rangers. He played in 7 games this year with 1 goal. In Hartford, he picked up 5 points in 32 games. He’s a rugged defensemen with 109 games of NHL experience.

Nils Lundkvist, 21, made the Rangers out of training camp but struggled to find consistency in his first year in North America. In 25 NHL games, he notched 4 points (1G – 3A) and then posted 15 points with the Wolf Pack after being sent down in January. The Rangers have high hopes for the first round pick (28th overall) from the 2018 Draft.

Keith Kinkaid, 32, posted a .904 SV% and a 2.94 GAA for the Pack this season. Last year, Kinkaid earned his stripes with the organization stepping in when Igor Shesterkin was hurt and Alexandar Georgiev was struggling. He posted a 3-2-1 record during that stint. This season, he made one start and recored a 3-2 win over the Coyotes in December.

Tim Gettinger, 24, put up 25 points in 45 games with the Pack. He also played 8 games this season for the big club with no points and three shots.

Matthew Robertson, 21, played in his first pro season and put up 11 points in 65 games for Hartford. He is a left defenseman that could make the club in the future.

Lauri Pajuniemi, 22, had a nice first season coming over from Finland. He recorded 26 points in 51 games which included 13 goals.

NHL Playoffs Round One previews and predictions

The NHL Playoffs will begin on May 2! Here’s a look at all 8 series plus some predictions. Read more!

The #NYR have placed Jarred Tinordi on waivers

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) January 23, 2022

Rangers waive Jarred Tinordi

Tinordi, 29, has only played in 7 games this season for the Blueshirts. He has 1 goal and 7 penalty minutes with a -5 rating.

The rugged defenseman signed a two-year deal this summer with an AAV of $900K. He was assigned to a conditioning with the Wolf Pack earlier this season. In those five games with Hartford, Tinordi registered an assist, a +1 rating, and two shots.

Tinordi has struggled with limited playing time this season and is considered the team’s 8th defenseman behind Libor Hajek.

He was originally drafted 22^nd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, he skated in 21 NHL games with the Nashville Predators (7) and Boston Bruins (14). He also appeared in four Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Bruins in 2021.

Massive NHL Rumors Roundup

Get the latest on Chychrun. The Washington Capitals are now in on Evander Kane, plus latest on Rangers, Oilers, and Blackhawks. Read more.

Head coach Gerard Gallant will look to get his charges back on track but will be forced into making some lineup changes. Today, Julien Gauthier was added to the COVID list which sparked the call ups of Tim Gettinger and Jonny Brodzinski from the taxi squad.

Gallant hints at lineup changes

Per multiple reports, the Rangers practice lines had some key changes with Gauthier out, but also Dryden Hunt not present. The grinding forward was hurt in Thursday’s 5-1 loss to the Golden Knights and is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Three lines could remain intact against Anaheim, but Filip Chytil’s line is completely up in the air.

Depending on Artemi Panarin’s possible return from COVID protocol, and Hunt’s status, Chytil’s line mates could very well be Brodzinski and Gettinger. Should Panarin be a go, it isn’t a given that Barclay Goodrow will remain as the second line right wing. Alexis Lafrenière might switch sides per the head coach.

“I think about it every second of the day,” Gallant said of switching Lafrenière to the right. “That’s a possibility (when Panarin comes back).”

However, there will be a change on defense as Zac Jones was sent back down to the taxi squad.

“We want to develop people but the number one goal is to win hockey games,” Gallant said. “We’ve got our top four that’s pretty standard. Other guys are in and out of the lineup but we’re trying to win games, that’s the bottom line.”

Practice indicated that Jarred Tinordi will pair with Nils Lundkvist for the game on Saturday.

“[Tinordi] is probably going in tomorrow,” Gallant said. “I love Tinordi, I’ve had him before. Good character guy, works hard.”

Tinordi, 29, has no points in five games this season with a -5 rating.

Gallant also admitted that Tinordi has gotten off to a rough start but absolved him by stating that he hasn’t had a chance to gain any momentum with the team.

Gallant wants more from Filip Chytil

Regardless of who his line mates are, Chytil needs to start producing points.

“I would love Fil to be playing better and getting more points and playing third line center,” Gallant said. “It hasn’t worked out. We tried him on the wing a little bit, but in a perfect world, if Fil’s doing what he’s capable of as a third line center that’s what I’d love.”

Chytil is immensely talented but maddeningly inconsistent in his NHL career. The 22 year-old spends too much time around the perimeter and on many nights is nowhere to be found.

Gallant addressed that with him directly today. The head coach impressed upon Chytil the need to be more “abrasive around the net” so that he can score more points.

This season, Chytil only has seven points (3G, 4A) in 31 games. He’s currently in his 4th full season with the Rangers since being drafted in the first round (21st overall) of the 2017 Draft. In 217 career games he’s registered 78 points.

Chytil signed a two year deal worth $2.3 million this past summer. He will be an RFA with arbitration rights when it expires.

Latest NHL Rumors

Tomas Hertl is leading the top of many trade bait lists. According to Frank Seravalli the New York Rangers are one to watch if the Sharks do indeed trade him. Read more here.

In the five games he played for Hartford, Tinordi registered an assist, a +1 rating, and two shots. The rugged 29 year-old defenseman did not pick up any penalty minutes.

Tinordi was struggling with limited playing time this season. In five games with the Rangers he had no points with a -5 rating. He signed a two-year deal this summer with an AAV of $900K.

Rangers sign Dylan Garand

The Blueshirts also announced the signing of 2020 fourth round pick (103^rd overall) Dylan Garand to his Entry-Level contract.

“I was at home watching the draft on my TV with my mom and my dad and we waited there watching until i got picked,” Garand told up back in August. “It was a great feeling being drafted by the New York Rangers.”

Per Team Release:

Garand, 19, is currently in his fifth season (2017-18 – 2021-22) with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where this year he has posted a 15-4-0 record, 1.85 goals against average and .932 save percentage. Garand’s save percentage is the best in the WHL (min. 2 games), his 15 wins are tied for the most in the WHL, and his 1.85 goals against average is second best in the WHL.

For his career with Kamloops, he has a 70-26-6 record, 2.32 goals against average, and .918 save percentage in 109 career games with 10 shutouts.

Rangers at WJC and Schedule

The World Junior Championships are about to get underway, and Garand is one of five Rangers’ prospects to be competing.

Here’s the list:

• Dylan Garand (Canada)
• Will Cuylle (Canada)
• Brett Berard (USA)
• Kalle Väisänen (Finland)
• Jarin Chmelař (Czechia)

The tournament officially begins on December 26.

Here’s where you can get your hockey fix starting today.

Catch our #FutureBlue at #WorldJuniors. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Zjqx00q0sB

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 23, 2021

NHL Rumors: Return of Taxi Squads

The NHL needs to get this season completed and taxis squads are a good start. Read more.

Hartford is looking to resume where they left off prior to going on the pause.

Wolf Pack Weekly: Hartford’s First Game Back

As expected, the Wolf Pack struggled in their first game back against Lehigh Valley with limited practice time. On the plus side, Hartford collected a point out of the contest as the group dropped a 4-3 shootout decision.

Morgan Barron snapped his four game drought while Zac Jones continued to produce on the blue line. Austin Rueschhoff recorded Hartford’s second goal of the game while Jones tied the contest with a few minutes to play in the third. Adam Huska performed well despite getting the loss in net stopping 26 of 29 shots and one of three shooters in the skills competition.

It’s hard to expect a club to be sharp after a long layoff. You have to give the group credit for sticking in the game despite being dominated, especially in the first and second period of the game. Furthermore, a couple of the regular players were out of the lineup (more information provided below).

The Springfield Thunderbirds came out of the pause and were swept last weekend (0-3) and lost players to the Blues due to call-ups. The Providence Bruins played with a depleted roster and posted a 2-1 record on the weekend. These clubs are not back to 100% and patience will be key in Hartford.

Jarred Tinordi Begins Conditioning Stint

Assigned by the Rangers on December 10th, the defenseman will play in five games with Hartford during his two week conditioning stint.

UPDATE: #NYR have assigned Jarred Tinordi to @WolfPackAHL (conditioning).

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 10, 2021

Tinordi started his first game with the club on a rusty, struggling note. However, the defenseman had a nice huge hit early on in the contest.

He was lost his position several times and had to adjust to Hartford’s schemas. As the games pass by, I expect the defenseman to settle in. Zac Jones had Tinordi as a partner on the blue line for top minutes. Jones also helped Libor Hajek on his conditioning stint while he was in Hartford.

Player Scratches

In Hartford’s first game back, a few players that normally are in the lineup were out. Ty Ronning, Anthony Greco, and and Alex Whelan could return next weekend.

Some regulars out of @WolfPackAHL (NYR) lineup today vs #LVPhantoms in their first game back from their COVID troubles.

It's Hartford's 1st game since 11/27.

HFD Scratches: Anthony Bitetto, Jeff Taylor, Ty Ronning, Alex Whelan, Hunter Skinner & Anthony Greco

— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) December 12, 2021

While Jarred Tinordi conditions in Hartford, the Wolf Pack’s blue line will have continual rotation going for players. Hunter Skinner was scratched and could return next week as well.

Transaction Wire

• Adam Huska and Morgan Barron returned to Hartford on December 9th.
• Keith Kinkaid recalled to New York on December 9th.
• Jarred Tinordi assigned to Hartford for two weeks (conditioning).
• James Sanchez called up from Jacksonville on December 10th.

Standings Update

Despite playing in one game, Hartford found themselves now in first place in the Atlantic Division. The standings are based on point percentage this season.

Hartford’s record entering the weekend is 12-4-2-1 for 27 points (.711). That ranks the club first in the division, second in the Eastern Conference, and fifth in the league (tied for fourth). Despite Springfield having three more points, the Wolf Pack have a better point percentage. Keep in mind that teams in the divisions are playing 72 or 76 games.

One Timers

• Zac Jones kept his point streak active. The defenseman has points in four straight games. In that span, Jones recorded three goals and four assists. Jones also has points in the last 11 of 14 games.
• Ty Ronning was scratched on Sunday. However, he enters the week on an active point streak when he resumes play. Ronning has points in five straight games. In that span, the forward recorded two goals and four assists.
• Tarmo Reunanen recorded two assists on Sunday. The defenseman has four assists in the last two of three games.
• Morgan Barron recorded a season high of shots on Sunday (six).

Upcoming Games

Friday, December 17th vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia) at 7pm, XL Center

• This is the third of six meetings in the season series. Hartford dropped the previous meeting in the shootout, 4-3 on December 12th. Hartford won the first meeting on October 23rd by a score of 3-1. This is the first visit of the season to Hartford for Lehigh Valley.
• Entering the weekend, the Phantoms compiled a record of 5-11-4-1 for 15 points (.357) in the Atlantic Division. This ranks the club last (eighth) in the division and 15th in the Eastern Conference. However, Lehigh Valley has won two straight games. The Phantoms are 2-5-2-1 in their last ten games.
• Forwards Gerry Mayhew and Garrett Wilson leads the Phantoms in points (13) on the active roster. Lehigh Valley’s top scorer Morgan Frost is up with Philadelphia.
• Listen – Mixr. Watch – AHLTV.

Saturday, December 18th vs Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis) at 7:05pm, Mass Mutual Center

• This is the fifth of 12 meetings in the season series. Entering the weekend, the series is tied at two. The sixth meeting will be on Sunday in Hartford as this is a back to back.
• Entering the weekend, the Thunderbirds compiled a record of 14-6-2 for 30 points (.682). This ranks the club second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference. Springfield has dropped three straight games and are 6-4 in the last ten outings.
• Springfield is missing multiple key cogs on the roster as the players are with the Blues. The Thunderbird’s top four point producers are currently on recall. On the active roster, prospect Hugh McGing leads the Thunderbirds in points (13). The forward recorded five goals and eight assists in 22 games. Veteran Sam Anas is second on the active roster for points (12).
• Listen – News Radio 560 WHYN. Watch – AHLTV.

Sunday, December 19th vs Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis) at 3pm, XL Center

• After the sixth meeting, Hartford will not face the Thunderbirds until January 26th at the XL Center.
• Hartford is 8-1 at home thus far. The lone loss was against the Charlotte Checkers.
• Springfield is 5-3-1 on the road thus far.
• Listen – Mixr. Watch – AHLTV.

NHL Rumors

The NHL Rumor mill has slowed down, but Phil Kessel is still a name out there and one the Rangers are attached to. Read more.

Tinordi, 29, has only played in 5 games this season for the Blueshirts. The last time he suited up was November 21 against the Buffalo Sabres, registering a -2 on the evening. He has no points and 7 penalty minutes.

Rangers assign Tinordi to AHL

Per the Wolf Pack Press Release:

The New York Rangers (NHL) announced on Friday that the club has assigned defenseman Jarred Tinordi to the Hartford Wolf Pack on a conditioning stint. In addition, the Wolf Pack have recalled forward James Sanchez from loan from the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen.

Tinordi, selected 22^nd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has appeared in five games with the Rangers this season and registered seven PIM’s. Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Rangers on July 28^th, 2021, Tinordi skated in 21 NHL games during the 2020-21 season with the Nashville Predators (seven) and Boston Bruins (14). He also appeared in four Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Bruins in 2021.

It should be noted that this is a conditioning stint which does not require Tinordi to pass through waivers. The short time assignment (max two weeks) will allow Tinordi to get in valuable game time minutes.

Does this mean that we could soon see Libor Hajek in game? And if so – who sits? Patrik Nemeth or Nils Lundkvist.

NHL Rumors

Yotes almost close to eviction. Blackhawks listening to offers, and Rangers should pursue Patrick Kane? Read more here.

Today they signed 6-6′, 205 lbs defenseman Jarred Tinordi to a 2 year deal worth $900K AAV. The 29 year-old will automatically become the team’s 7th defender and likely will play sparingly when the match up calls for it.

Rangers sign Jarred Tinordi

Per Rangers press release:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Jarred Tinordi on a two-year contract.

 Tinordi, 29, split this past season between the Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins, registering one assist and 11 penalty minutes in 21 games. He registered 56 hits and 30 blocked shots in the 21 games he played in 2020-21. Tinordi skated in his 100th career NHL game on April 13, 2021 vs. Buffalo. He also skated in four games with the Bruins during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Jarred Tinordi stood up to Tom Wilson

The Bruins had revenge on their minds coming into the second game of a set against the Capitals last March. Revenge was also coupled with retribution after Tom Wilson blasted Brandon Carlo with a high hit that sent him out of the game in the first period. Wilson was not assessed a penalty.

Carlo had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance after the hit, an update on his condition is expected today. Newly acquired Jarred Tinordi endeared himself to his teammates and the Bruins fans by making Wilson answer for his hit.

Looks like Artemi Panarin has a bodyguard.