One part of the New York Rangers’ logjam at center is no longer with the team, as they sent Boo Nieves to the AHL.
The New York Rangers announced Thursday afternoon that they have assigned center Boo Nieves to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have assigned Boo Nieves to @WolfPackAHL.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 8, 2018
Nieves had missed the team’s 15 games after suffering a concussion in the team’s first game of the preseason.
After making his debut in the 2016-17 season, Nieves has appeared in 29 career games where he’s scored nine points. The 24-year-old was a part of the competition the Blueshirts had in training camp for a spot at center.
You really have to wonder where his future with the team lies. The Blueshirts just recalled top prospect Lias Andersson prior to their 5-3 win over the Canadiens. They also have Filip Chytil and Brett Howden taking spots in the lineup forcing them to send Nieves to Hartford.
Nieves has not done anything to hurt his case when it comes to being a legit player in the NHL. As a matter of fact, if the Blueshirts did not have this logjam at center, he would probably be making an impact on the NHL roster right now.
I still think Nieves is a legitimate 4th line center in this league. There just is not any space for him on the current roster…would not surprise me if #NYR trade him down the road https://t.co/UjyWi1o2IB
— Dom Renna (@drennaESNY) November 8, 2018
With Howden, Chytil, Andersson, Mika Zibanejad, and Kevin Hayes locks to be on the NHL roster, perhaps the Blueshirts look into the trade market to give Nieves a legitimate opportunity to make a name for himself. He impressed last season but, was demoted in favor of the veteran Peter Holland.
Going to Hartford right now is probably the best case scenario for Nieves considering he did not have a full training camp. Once he gets the equivalent of that under his belt, it will be interesting to see what the Blueshirts do with him.
The Rangers return to action when they play the Detroit Red Wings Friday night in Detroit.
