Heikkinen and Sanguinetti Re-Assigned to Hartford

If you have not already seen on my twitter account or elsewhere on the net, the New York Rangers have re-assigned defensemen Ilkka Heikkinen and Bobby Sanguinetti to the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) at the conclusion of this afternoon's 2-1 victory over the Flyers in Philadelphia. This is a bit of a head scratcher being that Heikkinen was playing fairly well lately with the Blueshirts, but nonetheless, both will be back with the Pack.

Does this mean Gilroy will be called up? Possibly, but that hasn't happened just yet, and there is now a roster freeze in effect starting tonight at midnight, and will run until December 27th of next week. A move will obviously have to be made as New York has only five defensemen at the time, so whether it be Gilroy or one of Heikkinen or Sanguinetti, the Rangers will be recalling a defenseman before Monday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

This also contradicts with head coach John Tortorella's statement of "play the kids". I would assume Redden will be returned to the lineup in Carolina after being a healthy scratch for the past two games.