A confident Parenteau rejoins Rangers
Photo credit: AP | New York Rangers' P.A. Parenteau, left, celebrates his goal with teammate Brian Boyle. (October 28, 2009)
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The first time P.A. Parenteau was called up to the Rangers, he didn't even last long enough to play a home game at Madison Square Garden.
This time, he hopes the confidence he has gained in his last two weeks will help him stick around much longer than the two games he spent with the team in late October.
The Rangers recalled Parenteau from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Friday and sent down forward Dane Byers. The hope is that Parenteau, who is the AHL's leading scorer, will help make up for the fact that the team's two top centers are out with injuries.
"P.A. is more of an offensive- type player. He's got some skill," Rangers coach John Tortorella said. "Byers is more of a banger and a grinder."
Parenteau has recorded at least one point in each of his four games since he was sent down to Hartford on Oct. 31, totaling two goals and six points in that span. His 10 goals lead the AHL, and he ranks second in the league with 20 points. He also ranks second in the league with six power-play goals and is tied for third with six power-play assists.
Tortorella said he will use him on the power play.
"My confidence couldn't be higher right now on the hockey side of things," Parenteau said. "It's great timing for me. I'm going to try to transfer that confidence I got in the minors and bring it back to the Rangers."
Parenteau, 26, actually looked pretty confident during his earlier stay with the Rangers, scoring his first NHL goal Oct. 28 against the Islanders.
Without their top centers Chris Drury (concussion) and Brandon Dubinsky (broken right hand), the team has been struggling. The Rangers' recent slide was extended to 3-7-1 with a home loss to the Thrashers on Thursday. Tortorella had hoped not to have to make a roster move to get through the injuries, but after Thursday night's 5-3 loss to Atlanta, he decided he was overworking the top forwards to make up for the injury losses.
