Connor Mackey Assigned to Hartford Ahead of Wolf Pack's Home Opener

With the New York Rangers currently carrying eight defensemen and Will Borgen seemingly good to go, having suited up in last night’s game against Toronto, the Rangers have sent Connor Mackey back to Hartford ahead of their home opener this evening.

While there haven‘t been any indications of what the lineup could look like for the Rangers outing in Montreal tomorrow just yet, signs could be pointing to Scott Morrow making his New York Rangers debut. With Mackey being sent back to Hartford, there's a chance that one of Matthew Robertson or Urho Vaakanainen will sit out to get Morrow in the mix as it doesn't make sense to keep him up as a healthy scratch. Considering Vaakanainen has seen the least amount of ice time out of the Rangers' six defensemen in the last two games, it very well could be him as the odd man out.

This would likely force Braden Schneider to his off-side as he would presumably bump up to the second pair with Will Borgen, leaving Morrow on the right side of Robertson. We know the Rangers don't love to play guys on their off hand but if it's between a rookie and a guy they trust (so they say), they'd surely turn to the player with more experience.

It also doesn't make sense for the Rangers to hold on to two extra defensemen, especially with the Wolf Pack hosting the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in their home opener. Connor Mackey will be splitting assistant captain duties with newly signed center Justin Dowling this season.

For more updates and coverage on the Hartford Wolf Pack in their home opener and the rest of the season, be sure to follow Keegan here at Blueshirt Banter for your AHL needs all season long!