Chris Kreider sent to Connecticut Whale of AHL as NY Rangers demote rookie with Washington Capitals visiting Sunday

The Rangers sent rookie winger Chris Kreider to the Connecticut Whale of the AHL on Friday afternoon after scratching him for Thursday night?s 4-3 shootout loss to the Islanders.
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Fellow rookie J.T. Miller has struggled the past two games ? particularly on the defensive end ? and played as many third-period shifts Thursday night (one) as Brad Richards. Miller?s entry-level deal also kicks in once he dresses in another NHL game this season, his sixth. But he was not the choice for the Rangers? player reassignment on Friday.
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Miller?s versatility in playing both center and wing, and taking faceoffs, likely had something to do with the Blueshirts keeping him for now.

RICHARDS BENCHED IN RANGERS' 4-3 SHOOTOUT LOSS TO ISLES
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Kreider, who struggled in the first three games of the season due to a subsequently-diagnosed bone chip in his right ankle, missed the next five games due to injury before returning to the lineup on Feb. 5 in Newark.
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Kreider scored his first and only goal of the season that night against the Devils, then picked up an assist two nights later against the Islanders, but his minutes decreased to 9:40 in Tuesday?s 4-3 shootout win over Boston. Then Kreider was scratched for Thursday night?s game against the Islanders, replaced by Brian Boyle.
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?I don?t think Chris has done anything poorly,? coach John Tortorella said before Thursday?s game. ?On the other end, I don?t think he?s really done anything really good either. Like I told you guys before, I think Brian Boyle eventually needs to be a big part of this here. I want to give him a chance.?

BOYLE MORE PHYSICAL & EFFECTIVE IN RETURN TO BLUESHIRTS' LINEUP
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Kreider confirmed at Thursday morning?s skate in Greenburgh that he is healthy now, though, so this represented his first healthy scratch of the season.
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In training camp, Tortorella made it known that Kreider ?is still fighting for a spot? on the Rangers? roster. After Kreider?s slow start, Tortorella publicly criticized the winger.
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?He just hasn?t played well,? Tortorella said on Jan. 24. ?I don?t know what the reason is.?
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A day later, an MRI revealed the bone chip from a blocked shot Kreider had taken in early January playing for the Whale.
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Tortorella said on Jan. 24 though what he still believes now: that Kreider is a young player with many ?assets? who cannot have his development compromised by forcing him into NHL situations if he is not ready.
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?I?ve seen players ruined because you put them in a situation and they just struggled and they don?t succeed and they never come out of it. They?re done. They?re out of the game,? Tortorella said then. ?I do not want to see that happen to him. He has too many assets.?
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Have a question about the Blueshirts or a comment? Find Pat on Twitter at @NYDNRangers.

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/rangers/2013/02/chris-kreider-sent-to-connecticut-whale-of-ahl-as-ny-rangers-demote-rookie-with-wash

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