RISS MILLING IN HARTFORD FOR THE SEASON 

Patrick Rissmiller will spend the rest of the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack after the Rangers organization this afternoon sent the 30 year old forward back to Connecticut's capitol city. The good news is that he was playing very well for the Pack in the games that he was here putting up nearly a point a game putting up points in five of six games. The "bad" news is that Petr Prucha decided against coming to Hartford for  two week stint that would have given the Pack some offensive punch at least for a little while much like Nigel Dawes and Ryan Callahan did in seasons past.

While this is not necessarily a happy moment for the 6'4" 215-pounder, it's good news for Head Coach Ken Gernander who can use Rissmiller to generate some offense on this scoring deficient team.

The most important aspect of this move is that it clears approximately $650K of cap space. Steve Zipay of Newsday has been speaking all day that the Rangers should be looking hard at getting Mats Sundin in the red, white and blue. We could not agree more. Howlings would say getting Sundin in New York is critical but add one proviso, and that owuld be that they would still find a physical defenseman who can clear the crease. 

At this point anyway, Dan Fritsche will most likely remain in New York as the spare forward. Next up on the headed elsewhere list is likely to be Petr Prucha and his $1.6mm salary.

Here's the official release from the organization:

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).

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 also recorded seven assists in six games with Hartford (AHL) earlier this season. He registered two multiple-assist contests during his stint, collecting two assists on November 16 at Lake Erie and two assists on November 22 at Portland. Rissmiller tallied at least one point in five of six games with the Wolf Pack.

From today’s practice, everyone on the Rangers’ roster skated. The Blueshirts return to action tomorrow, December 3, when they will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden (7:00 PM). Prior to the game, the team's morning skate is scheduled for 10:30 AM at the MSG Training Center. The Blueshirts have won their last six contests vs. the Penguins at MSG, outscoring Pittsburgh, 20-8, during the stretch. The Rangers are 4-0-0 in the first game of back-to-back sets this season.

In other Pack/Rangers related news, former Hartford/NY defenseman Thomas Pock has been put on and cleared waivers and could be headed to Bridgeport to join the Sound Tigers.

One other item out htere is that the bane of many a fan, and writer for that matter…well, hold onto your hats, because here it comes:

The American Hockey League announced today that Quad City Flames center Jamie
Lundmark has been named the CCM/AHL Player of the Month for
November. In 13 games last month, Lundmark tallied five goals and 14 assists for
19 points. In recognition of his achievement, Lundmark will be presented with an
etched crystal award prior to an upcoming home game.

Raise your hand if you're thinking this an April Fool's joke! It's not. What's next, Dale Purinton being nominated for a Lady Bing?