The NHL made the announcement over the weekend that they will be reintroducing taxi squads to help teams manage their ongoing COVID issues. Unlike last year, these are not for the full season, and will only be through the All Star break, at least for now, which does make the Rangers taxi squad a little easier to predict. Naturally things change and they can be extended beyond early February. Also, the league will not allow salary cap transactions using the taxi squad.
Per the press release, the NHL will allow a maximum of six players to be assigned to the taxi squad, and cannot be on the taxi squad for more than 20 consecutive days. That latter half likely won’t be needed, as players are going to be called up often by the looks of it. If not, then it’s probably easily manipulated by a quick paper transaction to the AHL for a day, assuming the league lets that pass.
As for the Rangers taxi squad, that hasn’t been formally announced. Keith Kinkaid was called up already, and he’s likely to be the goalie on the taxi squad. Hartford will survive with Adam Huska in net, as he’s been solid in the AHL all year.
Greg McKegg is the first name that comes to mind, but he’s already the 13th forward and on the NHL roster. The same goes for Libor Hajek and/or Jarred Tinordi as the depth defensemen when the Rangers are fully healthy. It’s safe to assume none of that trio will be on the Rangers taxi squad. It’s also safe to assume that prospects who need game time won’t be added. So that means no Morgan Barron, Zac Jones, or anyone else.
So who does that leave?
The easy answers are players like Jonny Brodzinski, Anthony Greco, and Anthony Bitetto, and they quite honestly may be the only players the Rangers use. That would give the Rangers three spare forwards and three spare defenseman, in addition to Kinkaid. Does the Rangers taxi squad need more bodies? Not yet, but that, of course, can change very quickly. The Hartford Wolf Pack all got tested yesterday, so positive tests will change who they call up.
Assuming all negative tests and other health factors, the above trio will likely comprise the initial Rangers taxi squad. If things get dire, then we’d likely get the most NHL ready prospects in the NHL lineup rather quickly. We may also see some of the kids if more top players need to enter COVID protocol. It’s all a very fluid situation.
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