Rangers Reassign Anton Blidh and Spencer Martin to Hartford Wolf Pack
HARTFORD, CT - The New York Rangers made a pair of roster moves on Tuesday, sending forward Anton Blidh and goaltender Spencer Martin back to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. The decision adds depth to Hartford’s lineup while giving both veterans a chance to regain rhythm and ice time in a competitive setting.
Blidh Returns to Familiar Ice
For Anton Blidh, this move marks a return to a team and city where he’s found consistent success. The 30-year-old winger has played 35 games with the Wolf Pack this season, tallying eight points (three goals, five assists). He also saw brief NHL action with the Rangers, appearing in four games and notching a single assist.
Blidh’s most productive AHL campaign came just last season, when he hit career-highs across the board: 19 goals, 17 assists, and 36 points, while also racking up 109 penalty minutes. That kind of gritty, two-way play is what’s kept him in the mix at both the NHL and AHL levels.
Over four seasons with Hartford, the Swedish forward has suited up for 187 games, posting 72 points (36 goals, 36 assists). He’s also logged 89 NHL games across stints with the Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, and Boston Bruins, contributing 13 points (four goals, nine assists). He’s not flashy, but he brings a reliable, physical presence - the kind of player who can stabilize a bottom-six forward group and lead by example in the locker room.
Martin Looks to Reset in the AHL
Goaltender Spencer Martin, also 30, is heading back to Hartford after splitting time between the Rangers and the Wolf Pack this season. In six AHL appearances, Martin has posted a 1-4-1 record with a .903 save percentage and a 3.01 goals against average. The numbers don’t leap off the page, but he’s shown flashes of the steady play that’s made him a dependable depth option throughout his career.
Martin also saw action in six games with the Rangers this season, where he went 1-3-0 with a .864 save percentage and a 4.13 goals against average. It’s been a tough stretch at the NHL level, but returning to Hartford gives him a chance to reset and potentially work his way back into the conversation for a call-up later in the season.
Across his NHL career, Martin has appeared in 72 games with five different franchises - the Rangers, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Canucks, and Avalanche. He holds a 25-33-8 record with a .881 save percentage, a 3.60 goals against average, and one shutout. While he’s bounced around the league, Martin continues to be a veteran presence capable of stepping in when needed - a valuable asset for any organization navigating the grind of an 82-game season.
What This Means for Hartford
With both players now back in Hartford, the Wolf Pack get an immediate boost in experience and leadership. Blidh brings edge and consistency up front, while Martin offers a stabilizing force in net. For a team battling through the heart of the AHL schedule, those kinds of reinforcements can make a real difference - not just on the ice, but in the room.
The Rangers, meanwhile, maintain roster flexibility while keeping two veteran contributors sharp and ready should the NHL club need reinforcements down the stretch. It’s a move that makes sense on multiple levels - and one that could pay dividends for both the big club and its top affiliate.