ELMONT, N.Y. – One of the costly turnovers — and there were several by both teams — in the Minnesota Wild’s 5-4 overtime loss to the New York Rangers earlier this week came when defenseman Declan Chisholm lost control of the puck at the side of the Minnesota net, and New York forward Chris Kreider pounced, giving the Rangers their first lead of the game.
For Friday’s game versus the Islanders in the New York City suburbs, Chisholm was a healthy scratch and Jon Merrill took his place on the Minnesota blue line. At the Wild’s morning skate at UBS Arena on Friday morning, when asked about the change, and the costly mistake two days earlier, coach John Hynes stressed that the lineup change was not in any way about punishing Chisholm.
“Chisholm’s not coming out because he turned the puck over, to be very honest,” Hynes said. “We made other mistakes in the game. (Justin Brazeau) made one in New Jersey. I think that when you’re looking at roles and pairs and different things like that, Chisholm’s been a big reason why we are where we are.”
In fact, when the Wild have been mostly healthy on defense, and veteran Jonas Brodin has been in the lineup (he has missed multiple games due to injury on four separate occasions this season), Chisholm and Merrill have rotated in and out of the lineup, and Hynes had nothing but praise for both. Chisholm has played in 62 of the Wild’s 77 games, missing four due to injury.
“We’ve had massive injuries at D all year long. This kid’s come in and played great hockey for us,” Hynes said. “I just think when you look at the roles, it seems that at this point right now, he’s a good pairing defenseman when he plays with (captain Jared) Spurgeon, and he plays different minutes…Right now where we’re at in the season, it’s strictly role based and pairing based. If there happens to be an injury in the top four (defensemen), then that’s Chizzy’s spot.”
Chisholm, 25, is in his first full season with the Wild after coming over from Winnipeg in a waiver claim last season. He has two goals and 10 assists.
Zuccarello honors New York media legend
Sam Rosen, the longtime television voice of the New York Rangers, is retiring this season after 40 years behind the microphone at Madison Square Garden and wherever the “Broadway Blueshirts” play on the road.
Born in Germany, Rosen and his family immigrated to Brooklyn when he was just two years old. Wild forward Mats Zuccarello, who spent parts of nine seasons with the Rangers, became friends with Rosen, 77. Before the final game he would play with Rosen behind the microphone, the Minnesota standout offered a special tribute.
During warmups at Madison Square Garden, Zuccarello wore a Wild sweater with Rosen’s name on the back and the number 40 on it, in honor of the broadcaster’s four decades of work. After warmups, each Wild player signed the sweater and Zuccarello presented it to Rosen after the game.
“It’s about the respect. He’s been in the game for 40 years. He’s a legend in the game, especially here in New York. So, yeah, it was out of respect that we all signed a jersey for him,” Zuccarello said in the postgame locker room. “Obviously I spent some time with him and around him. So, for me it’s kind of a thank you and a special night…last game he’s going to commentate of me. So, I think it’s a nice token of respect from the team and wish him good luck on his retirement.”
Rosen was enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame’s broadcasting wing in 2016.
