This was full disclosure from Rangers coach Alain Vigneault as the Feb. 29 trade deadline rapidly approaches.
With his team still openly trying to make another run at the Stanley Cup, Vigneault made it clear general manager Jeff Gorton is looking to add players. And in doing so, the Rangers are trying to save all the money possible against the salary cap between now and then.
“I would say at this time, because we’re [eight] days from the trade deadline, any money that we can save, we’re going to save, because that means we’ve got more money to put into one or two players at the end,” Vigneault said before Sunday’s 1-0 overtime win against the Red Wings at the Garden. “So unless we really need somebody, we’re going to stay this way and see what we can do come the trade deadline. The more money we save, the better off we’re going to be.”
So it was an even-money swap before the game when they called up forward Marek Hrivik and allowed him to make his NHL debut, while sending down veteran Daniel Paille after he cleared waivers. And in light of captain Ryan McDonagh’s first game missed with a jaw contusion and neck spasms suffered on a malicious blindside elbow from the Maple Leafs’ Leo Komarov on Thursday in Toronto — earning Komarov a three-game suspension — the six healthy defensemen currently with the Blueshirts were the ones to play.
So there was no additional call-up from the AHL, as enticing as it might have been to give 21-year-old left-handed defenseman Brady Skjei another chance after his rocky two-game NHL debut in mid-December.
“There’s no doubt that Brady Skjei has taken some big strides since the last time we saw him,” Vigneault said.
Hrivik had a steady if unspectacular debut, playing 7:32 with only one shift in the third period of a scoreless game.
“Those players are way better,” Hrivik said. “It’s tough to make reads, they pressure hard and you have less time to make plays. It’s different hockey, for sure.”
The undrafted 24-year-old Slovakian has been playing for the Rangers’ AHL team since 2011-12, and was brought up to help the struggling fourth line and the penalty kill. He was excited when he finally got the call to the big stage.
“I was like, ‘Yea, there you go. Four years and I’m here,’ ” Hrivik said. “I’m happy it happened for this opportunity, and I’m going to try to make the most of it.”
There was no update on McDonagh, who had all of his concussion tests came back negative on Saturday.
“He’s still having some issues with the jaw and the neck spasms there,” Vigneault said. “So nothing’s changed in that sense. He’s still day-to-day.”
Forward Rick Nash missed his 12th game with a bone bruise in his left leg and he’s still considered “week-to-week.”
Vigneault won his 134th game as Rangers coach, passing Herb Brooks for sixth-most in franchise history.