Rangers recall six for taxi squad

The Rangers have recalled six players for their taxi squad, as of this morning.

With Jarred Tinordi, Ryan Lindgren, and Alex Georgiev –and likely more headed there– in COVID protocol, and Keith Kinkaid already called up to the NHL roster, the Rangers are giving themselves some insurance.

What I do find interesting is they called up both Morgan Barron and Zac Jones. Both are arguably NHL ready at this point, and would likely be an upgrade on some current roster players. If they get in the lineup and play well, will they stick once the roster gets healthy(ier)? It’s unlikely any of the players they’d push out of the lineup would get claimed on waivers, if that matters. There is actually a viable situation where the Rangers get hit hard with COVID and actually dress a better lineup.

Also interesting is Matthew Robertson getting the recall over Braden Schneider. This may be a handedness thing, with two LD already out, but I am reading this as he is playing a more steady game in the AHL. Remember, the Rangers signed him very early after drafting him and he did make the initial taxi squad last year. Or it could just be others in Hartford have entered COVID protocol.

Given both the AHL and NHL seasons are likely to continue, I wonder how the Hartford Wolf Pack manage losing six of their top players.