Day: July 2, 2013

Just a couple of days after Ulf Samuelsson was pegged as the first assistant coach – he was at the prospect camp today, but we’re still awaiting for an official announcement – Alain Vigneault appears to have added a second assistant, former Blue Jackets Head Coach Scott Arniel.

Arniel was head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets for one and a half years from 2010-12, before he was replaced at the midpoint of the season, compiling a 45-60-18 record.  He also was an assistant for the Buffalo Sabres from 2002-2006, and has been an assitant and head coach in the AHL, most recently with the Chicago Wolves last year.

New York will not extend qualifying offers to pending RFAs Nick Palmieri and Jyri Niemi, but will extend an offer to Brandon Mashinter.  In the case of Niemi, it’s not surprising.  The former Islanders draft pick was acquired back in May 2010 in exchange for a sixth round pick, but has struggled to make an impact in the AHL.

Palmieri was acquired from the Wild back in February along with Darroll Powe in exchange for Mike Rupp, but failed to impress.  Palmieri has appeared in 87 NHL games with New Jersey and Minnesota, but did not appear for the Rangers in his brief stint with the team.

New York made their third minor trade today, exchanging undersized forwards with the Montreal Canadiens.  Heading north is Christian Thomas, who appeared in just one NHL game for the Rangers, interestingly enough, against the very team he’s joining.  Meanwhile Danny Kristo, who completed his eligibility at North Dakota last season, will join the Rangers.

It’s an interesting trade in light of comments made by Gordie Clark just a few days about why the team focuses on Americans.  He noted how the American U18s and U20s have done very well on the international stage, and another Minnesotan – who also played with Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan and Ryan Bourque on the 2010 WJC gold medal team – certainly fits that bill.