Rangers Recall Ruhwedel and Assign Mancini to Wolf Pack

With how Zac Jones has been playing recently, it would be tough for Mancini to get his reps in. Should he replace Trouba or Lindgren? Absolutely, but we don't talk about that for some reason. With that being said, with Mancini's development on the line, it's crucial he gets consistent ice time, so while the Rangers will be taking their tour of the west coast for the next ten days, Mancini to Hartford and Ruhwedel being recalled to be the true 7th defender and extra skater makes sense.

Earlier, we reported that Laviolette had reverted to his old line combinations, so one would hope Jones gets a real shot at ice time. Sending Mancini down does, in a way, indicate what will happen, but the cynic in me is afraid. He could stumble in the slightest way, something the Rangers captain does every other shift, and see the bench. If that happens, sending Mancini down was the wrong move, and the team needs to seriously consider moving on from Jones. This is his make-it-or-break-it shot. If he can nail down the following week's worth of games, he could solidify his role for the year. It's now or never for the aging youngster.