Day: February 4, 2013

Per ESPN Rangers captain Ryan Callahan has begun skating again.  Callahan injured his shoulder last Tuesday in a fight with the Flyers’ Maxime Talbot, and was diagnosed with a subluxation of his left shoulder.  

Callahan skated today in the yellow non-contact jersey, and is yet to resume regular practices.  He was expected to miss 10-14 days from his January 30th examination, which would put him on target for a return against the Lightning on the 10th, or the Bruins on the 12th.

The Mike Rupp era closes with the Rangers after a little more than a season, with the 32 year old forward dealt to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forwards Darroll Powe and Nick Palmieri, as the Rangers try to shake the team up after a slow start, and provide a little more depth.

Rupp never really got it going on Broadway and managed just 4 goals and 1 assist in 68 games over the past two seasons.  The 6-5 forward struggled last year with a knee injury, and despite being healthy this year, never really looked like a key piece of a Rangers team that was looking for energy, scoring and a forecheck.

The Rangers called up 19 year old JT Miller along with recent acquisition Brandon Mashinter from Connecticut and sent Benn Ferriero back down.  The move gives the Rangers a few more options as they await the return of Ryan Callahan and Chris Kreider from injury.

In Miller, the Rangers get a potential third liner who can play wing or center and provide some scoring and grind in the crease area.  The 2011 1st Round pick is in his first pro season with the Connecticut Whale and ranks fifth on the team with 8 goals in 37 games, to go along with 12 assists.