Buzz: Heikkinen Could Go Back Overseas
Larry Brooks, in the New York Post, says that defenseman Ilkka Heikkinen, currently in Hartford, may go back overseas in the off-season because of his lack of time with the Rangers.
Rest assured the physical defenseman with offensive instincts who received praise from coach John Tortorella during a seven-game trial run in December, will receive offers of substantially more guaranteed money from the KHL, which, of course, he would be foolish not to accept.
In Newsday though, Steve Zipay says that if a defenseman is needed, Heikkinen will get the call because of other injuries in Hartford.
Heikkinen has seven goals and nineteen assists in Hartford this season.
He played seven games for the Rangers in December.
…I like Heikkinen a lot, and think he could be a solid player for the Rangers moving forward. But is he ahead of Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Sauer, Corey Potter or Ryan McDonagh on the Rangers depth chart. At his age, he should be at least one or two on the list of defenseman who could be on the team now. Alas, Michal Rozsival and Wade Redden are clogging spots and salary cap space. More than likely, if the team trades Dan Girardi over the next couple of weeks, Heikkinen should get the call and a real look to see if he can play at the NHL level.
