Dan Fritsche was waived by the New York Rangers first according to Sam Weinman and then Steve Zipay and Andrew Gross in their blog reports. If the center, who was obtained by the Rangers as part of the deal that sent Christian Backman and former Pack defenseman Fedor Tyutin to Columbus for he and Nick Zherdev, clears waivers, he would likely be assigned to Hartford for the rest of the season at some point. (***Update*** Fritsche did clear waivers but there has been no indication yet what the Rangers are going to do with him).
In the sixteen games that the Parma, Ohio native has played for the Rangers, he’s logged but a single goal and three assists for four points and a minus-2. Fritsche has been scratched in 21 of the last 22.
If Fritsche comes to Hartford and has a good attitude he could be a gigantic help to Head Coach Ken Gernander as he attempts to create a third line that could produce. In theory, Gernander already has the very productive “G-A-G Line” of Dupont – Anisimov – Parenteau. He then could return the “Triplets” (Owens – Ouellette – Pyatt) back together again and make a third line of Rissmiller – Fritsche – Moore. In theory anyway that could be a good threesome with all three capable of playing a solid two-way game.
(Dan Fritsche photo courtesy of NewYorkRangers.com)
As I recall the “Triplets” are Pyatt/Owens/Ouellette. So Mitch, who else would you dress, on the 4th line?
Weise?
1 or 2 of the muscle-head corps (Soryal/DiDiomete/Sugden/Stefanishion)?
Ford?
I’ve actually been hoping for a Hillier call-up, he’s been involved offensively lately for Charlotte. This depth makes that unlikely soon.
Please, can you inquire what’s up with Barnes? I assume he’s hurt (again)
Elsie,
As usual thank you for contributing to the discussions here. I’m always happy to converse with you.
Yes, I dubbed Pyatt,Ouellette & Owens “The Triplets” because of the way they all seem to think and act alike. AS for who I would dress on the fourth line, I would put Ford on that line centering DiDiomete and Weise. Sugden doesn’t play much and I would keep it that way. DiDiomete is a nice young player who is still trying to figure out what kind of an AHL player he’s going to be but of the choices the team has, he’s probably the best choice. Soryal is hurt so it really doesn’t matter much and I think Dale Weise is a better player than Matt Stefanishion.
As for Hillier, I think he will get a look-see from the WP before the season closes. Barnes has had injury issues all a lot. I’m not aware of his status right now.