The Rangers are heading west, and they're bringing a familiar face along for the ride.
On Sunday, New York recalled winger Anton Blidh from AHL Hartford, filling the roster spot left open after defenseman Connor Mackey was reassigned to the minors the day before. This marks Blidh’s second call-up of the season, and it continues a whirlwind stretch for the 30-year-old, who’s been bouncing between Hartford and the NHL roster more in the last few weeks than he has in recent years.
Blidh was first recalled on New Year’s Day, just ahead of the Winter Classic, as the Rangers dealt with a string of injuries. He stayed up for a little over a week, suiting up for two games - his first NHL action since debuting with the Rangers in January 2024 - before returning to the AHL on January 11.
Now he’s back, and while this move isn’t expected to shake up the lineup, it’s a strategic one. With the Rangers embarking on a three-game road swing through California, they’re opting to carry an extra forward for depth. Blidh fits that role perfectly: a reliable, veteran presence who can slot into the fourth line if needed without disrupting the team’s rhythm.
At 6-foot-1, Blidh brings size and grit, but his offensive numbers at the NHL level remain modest - four goals and 12 points across 87 career games. Since arriving in the Rangers organization via a minor-league trade with the Avalanche in 2023, he’s been a mainstay in Hartford, where he’s carved out a leadership role and delivered a career-best 19 goals and 36 points last season.
This year’s production has dipped a bit - just three goals and seven points through 32 games - but his experience and work ethic still make him a dependable plug-and-play option when depth is needed.
Bottom line: this isn’t a headline-making move, but it’s a smart one. The Rangers are entering a tough stretch of the schedule, and having a seasoned forward like Blidh in the mix gives them flexibility without forcing any major lineup decisions. He knows the system, he knows the role, and he’ll be ready if called upon.