Rangers Recall Bickel
The Rangers have announced that they have recalled defenseman Stu Bickel from the CT Whale.Bickel has 1g, 3a and is a +4 with 80 penalty penalty minutes in 27 games.
The Rangers needed to recall a defenseman after Steve Eminger separated his shoulder in Phoenix last night.
...will be nice to have Erixon back up with the Rang...wait? What? Bickel?!?!?!?! Why?
...guess the Rangers are looking for a little more snarl on the blueline with Eminger now out. Although, Eminger was the guy Erixon was going to replace on this past road trip so I'm not sure what to think.
...only other reason I can think is that with Eminger expected to be out for awhile Rangers don't feel confident Erixon is ready for the extended stay.
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its a cap-hit issue. They didn't have enough against the cap with Rupp back in the lineup to bring Erixon to the big club, so they went with Bickel.
"Eminger was the guy Erixon was going to replace on this past road trip so I'm not sure what to think"
What, why???? Where did you hear that?
@Beckfan5 What do you mean? Erixon was recalled for the St. Louis/Phx trip because there was a question whether Eminger could play because he hurt his arm blocking a shot against Stars.
@KevinDeLury Oh, sorry. I thought you were implying that Eminger was going to take a seat in favor of Erixon.
@Volcom955 I think 10-15 NHL minutes is better for development than 20+ AHL minutes, but that's just me. Nothing can substitute actual NHL action.
@KevinDeLury@Volcom955 you learn the most by playing a heavy load of minutes where you play all situations (power play, PK, against better players) which he most likely would not do in New York, and would be used primarily against 3rd and 4th liners. Bickel is better suited for that role being a little bit older and a littler grittier, not going to require the attention of seasoning him.
He probably isn't, I actually like this move. Bickel has a lot of snarl to his game, and being a little better older than Erixon (25 to 20) it has him better prepared to handle a 6th or 7th defenseman role.
@thenyrblog Would you put young Erixon against the Devils, Isles & Flyers or big Bickel? Esp after re-inserting Rupp, Torts preppin for war.
@ScottyHockey Torts can also go with Rupp, Avery & Prust in those games which is more than enough toughness.
Guess it depends on how they plan on using the call up. Prefer Erixon play big mins in CT & Bickel less in NY... @thenyrblog @ScottyHockey
@ScottyHockey I hear you. I just like having the best players on the team. And Erixon is clearly better than Bickel.
@thenyrblog What would the point of having Erixon up be if he gives him an Avery\/Woywitka-esque 6 minutes? Let him McDonagh in CT.
@thenyrblog I'm thinking NYR wanted more snarl against division opponents we're playing this week. If Erixon wasnt ready, y go on roadtrip?
@thenyrblog Agree. Especially since Bickel's never played an NHL game. Better question-who does he play with? Believe DZ was partner last yr
