Dan Blackburn is likely to spend the two weeks immediately preceding the Olympic recess in Hartford, The Post has learned.
Ron Low yesterday morning confirmed the organization’s interest in sending the 18-year-old freshman to the AHL on a conditioning assignment. Blackburn has gotten into just four games in the last five weeks and was unsteady in each of his last two assignments, including getting pulled for the first time after allowing four goals on seven shots in 8:48 at the Coliseum on Tuesday. He would have the opportunity to play in as many as six Wolf Pack matches between Feb. 1-10.
“It’s a situation that’s definitely been discussed and one that we’re monitoring,” Low said following yesterday’s Garden morning skate. “The problem is that Danny hasn’t played enough recently and the way the schedule is laid out from now to the Olympics, that’s not likely to change all that much, if at all. We need to get him playing.”
The Rangers have seven games remaining before the break, three before next weekend’s All-Star break, four between Feb. 6-13; none back-to-back. Mike Richter looms as the probable starter in each.
NHL rules prohibit players on the roster as of Feb. 1 from playing in an affiliated league throughout the Feb. 14-25 recess. Because Blackburn still has junior eligibility, he does not have the option of agreeing to extend a conditioning assignment beyond two weeks. So Blackburn would have to be recalled from Hartford before the break commences.
“Other than sending him back to junior hockey, which doesn’t make any sense at all, getting him to Hartford is the only way to get him games,” Low said.