Alain Vigneault’s displeasure with the fourth line hasn’t gone away, and the latest victim is Daniel Paille, whom the Rangers waived Saturday. A replacement will be called up in time to play with Tanner Glass and Dominic Moore for Sunday’s game against the Red Wings at the Garden.
“I think it’s safe to say our expectations of that line [are] a little bit higher than what we’re getting at this time,” Vigneault said of the fourth line after practice on Saturday. “The only player I’m satisfied with what he’s bringing is Tanner. I know he’s going to bring that physicality every game.”
Though Paille was signed in January to provide depth, he didn’t distinguish himself.
“We’re looking for a little upgrade there,” Vigneault said.
The problems, though, weren’t limited to Paille.
Vigneault also called out Moore, saying he “needs to be better” with both faceoffs and on the penalty kill.
“In all areas, he’s done better in the past and he’s not doing as well right now,’’ Vigneault said. “We’ve talked to him about it and we hope he’s gonna get his game together.”
General manager Jeff Gorton went to AHL Hartford to watch their game Saturday night to get a better idea of who should be tabbed, Vigneault said, with an eye on a fourth-line type of player. Marek Hrivik, Nicklas Jensen and Ryan Bourque are potential options.
Vigneault said the Rangers wanted “more of a checker, a guy that can kill penalties,’’ but stressed they were open to whoever was playing well.
Vigneault said there was no update on Rick Nash, who will miss his 12th straight game Sunday since suffering a bone bruise. He is “week-to-week,” though the coach said Nash was working out.
Thursday’s win in Toronto left room for improvement, as Vigneault said he didn’t like what he saw after the Maple Leafs took an early lead.
“For the remainder of the first period, we got outworked — and I don’t say that very often,’’ he said. “We didn’t win any puck battles. They were all over us. We got better in the second period. I don’t know if we expected an easy game … but we did what we had to do in the third.”