RISS-MILLING IN HARTFORD 

Big news from New York. Patrick Rissmiller, who was the first free agent signed but the Rangers when the free agent signing period began earlier this year has been reassigned to the Wolf Pack effective immediately.

Rissmiller, who has the ability to put the puck in the net at the NHL level, depending upon his attitude when he arrives, should be a huge help to the Pack who struggle to score.

Rissmiller was signed for $1mm per season for three years. While he is in Hartford simply on a conditioning loan and will NOT have to pass through Waivers to go back to New York. However, should he be permanently assigned, with his age and experience he WILL  have to oass through waivers in order to return to the NHL level. That means that like Thomas Pock and Andrew Hutchinson last season, Rissmiller would be in Hartford the rest of the way.

This could be being done to get him in shape for a later trade.

Here's the official release.

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Patrick Rissmiller has been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) on a conditioning loan.

Rissmiller, 30, has appeared in two games with the Rangers this season. He made his Rangers debut on October 11 at Philadelphia after signing with the club as a free agent on July 1. The 6-4, 215-pounder appeared in 79 games with the San Jose Sharks last season, registering eight goals and nine assists for 17 points, along with 30 penalty minutes. He established a career-high with eight goals, ranked sixth on the Sharks in hits (111) and tied for eighth on the team in even strength points (17). Rissmiller also skated in eight post-season games with the Sharks.

*** In other Wolf Pack related news, former defenseman Brad Brown has signed a Professional Try-Out contract with the Quad City Flames (Calgary) while Dwight Helminen has been returned to the Albany River Rats after playing eight games with Carolina and scoring his first NHL goal, and getting an assist for his first NHL multi-point game. Also, Albany now has former Ranger prospect Jonathan Paiement on it's roster.

(Patrick Rissmiller photo courtesy of SIkids.com)