Michael Del Zotto's disappointing season may take another turn for...

Michael Del Zotto's disappointing season may take another turn for the worse as he could be sent back to the AHL in the next few days. (Feb. 1, 2011) Credit: Jim McIsaac

DETROIT - Could Michael Del Zotto be returned to the AHL before long?

Yes.

The second-year defenseman, who played his fourth consecutive game last night, is "still a work in progress," Rangers coach John Tortorella said. "We've been keeping our eye on all the 'D,' and we'll make decisions over the next few days. With Michael, it's still part of a process. Is it best for him here, is it best for him there [in Hartford]? We have to figure what's best for him because eventually, that's what's going to be best for the organization."

Del Zotto, 20, who made the All-Rookie team and was the team's power-play quarterback last season, has only two goals and eight assists and is a minus-4 in 40 games.

"I've got to contribute more, especially on the power play," he said yesterday morning. "It's a challenge. We need somebody to step up and make one big play. I'm hard on myself, but somebody's got to do it."

Forward thinking

Marian Gaborik and Vinny Prospal were the team's No. 1 and No. 2 scorers last season, and Tortorella wants Prospal, who played in his third game after returning from knee surgery, to stick with the struggling sniper. "I want to keep those two together,'' he said. "As they get in game situations, that's how you can tell, when they talk on the bench about 'I need to go here, there.' I think it'll happen."

But the third man could change. Erik Christensen, just back from an MCL sprain, centers the duo, but another pivot could slide in. Or Prospal could move to the middle from the left wing. Tortorella suggested that Christensen believes he is not yet in shape.

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