Kris Newbury, left, was called up from the Whale for Sunday’s game.
Credit: Getty Images
The Rangers’ revolving door of bottom-six forwards continued to spin Sunday night.
AHL call-up Kris Newbury skated on the fourth line with Darroll Powe and Arron Asham, who was activated off the IR. Last night’s game was Asham’s first since Feb. 19 due to back spasms. Taylor Pyatt was bumped to the third line with Brian Boyle and Chris Kreider.
When asked where Newbury would play during his pregame press conference, head coach John Tortorella said “center ice.”
Newbury had centered Kreider at AHL Connecticut, where Kreider had scored six goals in eight games before being called up last week. Kreider told reporters at the early skate that Newbury “has such great poise.”
“Real cerebral guy,” Kreider said. “Just relentless, with a great attitude.”
Guy fired
Guy Boucher’s time as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning ran out.
Boucher was fired as head coach of the Lightning, the organization announced early Sunday morning. He compiled a 97-78-20 record in 195 games spanning three seasons.
Tampa Bay reached the Eastern Conference finals in his first year as coach, but were only 13-17-1 this season.
“Guy has poured his heart and soul into the Lightning organization for these past three years and we appreciate all the work he has done,” Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement. “But ultimately I am not satisfied with the direction we are heading and I believe making a change today is in the best interest of our franchise.”
See ya ‘two’ Morrows
The trade season has begun.
According to multiple reports, Pittsburgh acquired left wing Brendan Morrow and a third-round pick from Dallas in exchange for prospect defenseman Joe Morrow and a fifth-round pick. The two players are not related.
The 34-year-old is in the last year of a six-year, $24.6 million contract. Brendan Morrow had played his entire 13-year career with Dallas, where he was team captain. He has scored 243 goals and 528 points in 825 games.
Pittsburgh leads the Eastern Conference with a 24-8-0 record. Their 48 points are tied with Anaheim for second-most in the NHL. Chicago leads the league with 51. Pittsburgh leads the league in goals scored (112) and goals per game average (3.43). It’s thought that Brendan Morrow will skate on a line with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal.
Forgive the Devils if they are Il-ya.
General manager Lou Lamoriello announced Sunday afternoon that right wing Ilya Kovalchuk will miss the next 2-to-4 weeks with a shoulder injury. The organization later announced Kovalchuk was placed on injured reserve.
Lamoriello told reporters the injury is “not an operative situation.”
Kovalchuk injured the shoulder midway through the third period of the Devils’ 2-1 win over Florida at the Rock Saturday night. Kovalchuk attempted to go around Florida defenseman Colby Robak but fell and slammed shoulder-first into the end boards.. The Devils’ 36 points are seventh-most in the Eastern Conference.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
