Center Patrick Rissmiller has been reassigned by the Hartford Wolf Pack to the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins are the AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. It’s interesting that this comes on the heels of Tarik El-Bashir in the Washington Post reporting that the Washington Capitals have reassigned former Ranger and Jaromir Jagr pal, Michael Nylander to the Griffins also, but on a 2-week conditioning assignment. We’re not implying anything directly it’s just odd.
The move raises the question, “could the Red Wings be interested in getting an up close look at the soon to be 31-year old (Oct. 26) Rissmiller to possibly trade with the Rangers for him?” Before anyone’s heart goes all aflutter, don’t think that the team will get anything more than a late round draft pick or just an AHL prospect (and not exactly a top tier prospect at that) in return.
The other interesting question is, "Who is the fourth center now on this team?" Mathieu Dandenault probably could do it in the meantime, but he's being brought in to be the seventh defenseman-swing guy, in NYC. Wouldn't you think he would be playing more defense in Hartford? Even if they do play him there, the odds are pretty high that he's only there for a couple of weeks and is headed to NY, so someone will need to be that fourth center.
Wouldn't it be nice if Tomas Zaborsky were still around?
Here’s the official release:
Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the parent New York Rangers have reassigned forward Patrick Rissmiller from the Wolf Pack to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL.
In six games with the Wolf Pack this season, Rissmiller, an eighth-year pro, had registered two assists and eight penalty minutes, and was +2. Last year in 64 Wolf Pack games, he posted totals of 14 goals and 40 assists for 54 points, along with 24 PIM and a +5. Rissmiller was also scoreless in two NHL games with the Rangers in 2008-09.
The Wolf Pack return to action tomorrow night, Friday, October 23, at Adirondack, facing off against the Phantoms in a 7:30 game (WTIC HD-2, www.hartfordwolfpack.com, www.wtic.com). The Pack are then back on home ice at the XL Center this Saturday, October 24, with the Lowell Devils in town (7:00 faceoff), and Sunday, October 25, vs. the Worcester Sharks (3:00).
(Photo courtesy of Zimbio.com)
Comments (4)
Colorado Marksays:
October 22, 2009 at 12:16 PMHey, Mitch, I thought that Ryan Hillier was originally a center, so maybe that is the plan?
Mitch Becksays:
October 22, 2009 at 12:35 PMThat’s possible but he’s listed as a Left Wing. Jordan Owens can also play center as can a couple of others but do you really want to have someone there that’s a temp fix? Also, and this isn’t something that I mentioned earlier, Dandenault could also be sending them over their allotment of veterans they are allowed by team rules to have on the team and this could be a temporary move to satisfy that until Dandenault goes up to NY… That could ver ywell be the case…or I could be completely wrong….
rcmsays:
October 22, 2009 at 2:52 PMThis from Our Sports Central
“Patrick’s a player that we’ve known pretty well over the years from being in Cleveland,” said Griffins general manager Bob McNamara. “We like his size, he can play center and wing, and he’s put up good numbers in the AHL. We think he’ll be a good fit for us.”
Leaving now for the Ranger Devil game -the Detroit Red Wings paper said regarding the Ranger #2 NHL Power Rating – If you like offense ,you will like the Rangers. They have 35 goals. What a difference a year makes!!!
elsiesays:
October 22, 2009 at 3:39 PMMitch – any insights into these injuries to Hartford properties:
ECHL Transactions – Oct. 20
http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news&cat=1&id=19996
Charlotte:
Delete Trevor Glass, D placed on the 21-day IR, 10/18
Delete Ryan Munce, G placed on the 21-day IR, 10/18