GREENBURGH, N.Y. — John Gilmour and Neal Pionk have played just four games as NHL defensemen since the Rangers summoned them from Hartford last week. But the two new guys with two-way skills have been leaving a mark on the ice.
“They’ve played to their strengths — skating, moving the puck, jumping up in the play,” coach Alain Vigneault said after Friday’s practice. “They’ve come in and they’ve contributed in a very positive way. The challenge for them . . . like any young player, is can you sustain it?”
The Rangers plan to rebuild. Gilmour and Pionk, along with January call-up Tony DeAngelo and Monday call-up Ryan Sproul, have gotten a head start on trying to prove themselves because of injuries and underperformance on defense.