Many of the NY beat reporters are now confirming what Howlings told you last night, that P.A. Parenteau is on his way to New York. What we've also learned through some of these same outlets (Blue Notes & Ranger Rants) is that Dane Byers run in the NHL is over...at least for now...as he's headed back to Hartford.
What will be interesting to see is how much Byers brings back in terms of benefiting from the game experience he picked up from the coaching and his time in New York. Also, will Byers' New York experience will help the team in picking up the considerable slack that will be made by Parenteau's departure to New York.
What's most intriguing about this move is it really doesn't address the major problem in New York. While the team will most certainly benefit from the offensive punch that Parenteau's presence will bring, what this team needs is at least one center if not two.
Since cap money is a clearly an issue and the Rangers and the team needs someone in the middle who can play "Some defense" but more importnatly score and help set up others in that department, why not make a call to the Washington Capitals to see if the team can pry away one time Ranger/Wolf Pack center, Alexandre Giroux. It wouldn't cost much to make that trade and the NHL's all time single season scoring champion. In the 2008-2009 season, the Quebec, PQ scored a record 60g, had 37a, for 97 points in just 69 games. Giroux is off to another great start this season with seven (7) goals and twelve (12) assists for nineteen (19) points in just eleven (11) games. He would be a gigantic assetin John Tortorella's system.
Seems to be a no-brainer. Should it not work out, Giroux goes to Hartford and helps them win a Calder Cup like he has done in Hershey. However, we highly doubt he would need to be returned there playing for Tortorella.
Howlings will report live from Hartford and keep you up to date should any other news break.
HERE IS THE OFFICIAL RELEASE:
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward P.A. Parenteau has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), and forward Dane Byers has been assigned to Hartford.
Parenteau, 26, has skated in two games with the Rangers this season and tallied his first career NHL goal on October 28 against the Islanders.He is currently tied for the AHL lead in goals (10) and ranks second in the league in points (20). In addition, Parenteau ranks second in the league with six power play goals and is tied for third with six power play assists. He has registered at least one point in each of his four games since returning to Hartford on October 31, tallying two goals and six points over the span, and is in the midst of a seven-game AHL point streak dating back to October 23 (six goals and 13 points). Parenteau has registered seven multi-point efforts this season, including his first hat trick as a Wolf Pack player on October 10 against Springfield, he finished ninth in the AHL in points with 29 goals and 78 points, and was named a First-Team AHL All-Star.
The Hull, City, Quebec native was acquired by the Rangers from the Chicago Blackhawks on October 11, 2007, in exchange for a conditional draft pick. He was originally Anaheim's ninth round selection, 264th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
Byers, 23, skated in five games with the Rangers and recorded his first career NHL point with a goal on October 30 at Minnesota. He returns to Hartford where he has registered two goals and five points, along with 26 penalty minutes in nine games this season. He ranked second on the team in penalty minutes, was tied for fourth in goals and eighth in points at the time of his recall on October 30. Prior to his recall, Byers was riding a three-game point streak, recording two goals and four points over the span. Last season, Byers tied for the team lead in playoff goals (three) and finished second on Hartford in playoff points (four).
The Nipawin, Saskatchewan native was originally the Rangers second round selection, 48th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
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