TIPPING A “HAT” AND NOW BOWING OUT 

Lauri Korpikoski came to Hartford to rediscover his game. It’s probably safe to say that four goals and two assists in four games with a plus-7 qualifies as a “Mission Accomplished,” wouldn’t you say? Sure as someone who follows the Pack with the microscope that we do here would tell you selfishly, he needs to stay a bit longer and really find out if it’s stuck. But again, that would be selfish.

One of the biggest parameters in determining if a player is ready to take the next step is dominating each shift against any opponent. Korpi has done that and more. He’s played in every single situation and in all of them has excelled beyond what anyone expected.  After having made the parent Rangers team out of training camp in September, the former first round pick saw his game at the NHL level slip and his conditioning was not what Head Coach Tom Renney expected, so Korpikoski was sent to Hartford. This has proven to be a successful formula for the Blueshirts over the past couple of years this has happened with Ryan Callahan and Nigel Dawes and for an even shorter stint in the past, Petr Prucha being prime examples.

Well, it’s happened again.

According to Arthur Staple of NY Newsday, reporting on Steve Zipay’s Blue Notes blog, with Dan Fritsche and Prucha showing no signs of improving, the NY Rangers have recalled Korpikoski. The Finnish Flash should expect to be in the lineup Monday night when the Rangers entertain the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden.

Here’s a thought for you to dwell on.

Could the Rangers possibly be hoping that lightning strikes twice?

Why you ask?

Do you happen to know who Edmonton’s AHL farm team is…?

It’s Springfield!

Yes, the same Springfield that Korpikoski torched for his “Hattie” Saturday night.

Here’s the official release from the Rangers…

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Lauri Korpikoski has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Korpikoski, 22, has appeared in four games with Hartford (AHL) this season, registering four goals and two assists for six points. He currently leads the Wolf Pack with a plus-seven rating, and his four goals are tied for second on the club. He notched his first professional hat trick on Saturday vs. Springfield. The 6-1, 195-pounder has also skated in seven games with the Rangers this season. He made his NHL regular season debut on October 4 vs. Tampa Bay at Prague, Czech Republic.

(Korpikoski photo courtesy of Mark Canello)

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