The New York Rangers are making some strategic roster moves ahead of the Olympic break, and there’s a clear method to the maneuvering. On Tuesday, the team reassigned forward Anton Blidh and goaltender Spencer Martin to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. At the same time, they called up goalie Hugo Ollas from the ECHL’s Bloomington Bison to keep their depth chart compliant with league rules.
Let’s break down what’s happening here - and why it matters.
Goaltending Shuffle: Why Hugo Ollas Got the Call
The key rule driving this flurry of activity? The NHL’s collective bargaining agreement requires teams to carry three healthy goaltenders at all times. So when the Rangers decided to send Spencer Martin back to Hartford, they had to bring up another netminder to fill the third-slot requirement.
Now, the obvious move might’ve been to recall Dylan Garand, Hartford’s top goalie. But that would’ve undercut the Wolf Pack's ability to stay competitive during the Olympic break - a stretch where AHL teams keep playing while NHL squads hit pause. Instead, the Rangers turned to Hugo Ollas, a 23-year-old prospect with intriguing upside and a massive frame at 6-foot-8, 238 pounds.
Ollas is in his second pro season and has been manning the crease for Bloomington in the ECHL. His numbers - a .895 save percentage in 14 games - don’t jump off the page, but this recall isn’t about short-term performance.
It’s about roster compliance and long-term evaluation. Ollas gets a taste of the NHL environment, and the Rangers keep their AHL club intact.
Smart, calculated move.
Spencer Martin: Depth Piece Doing His Job
Spencer Martin, 30, has been a steadying presence in the organization since joining midseason, brought in to bolster depth after Igor Shesterkin went down with an injury. Martin’s resume includes over 60 NHL games, plus a recent stint in the KHL with CSKA Moscow where he posted a .905 save percentage in 13 games.
Since returning to North America, he’s split time between New York and Hartford. His NHL numbers this season - an .864 save percentage across six games - haven’t quite matched his AHL performance (.906 in six games), but his role has been clear: provide veteran insurance and bridge the gap during injury spells. Mission accomplished.
Anton Blidh: A Reliable Call-Up Option
As for Anton Blidh, he’s been a reliable depth forward all year. The 30-year-old winger has bounced between Hartford and New York, slotting into the Rangers’ fourth line when needed.
In four NHL games this season, he’s registered one assist. In the AHL, he’s chipped in eight points across 35 games - not eye-popping, but he’s a known quantity who brings effort, physicality, and leadership to the Wolf Pack.
Blidh’s value comes from his versatility and experience. Last season, he tallied 19 goals and 36 points for Hartford, and he remains under contract through next year on a two-way deal that guarantees him $385,000 annually. For a team managing cap space and roster flexibility, that’s a useful piece to have in the system.
The Bigger Picture
These moves might not make headlines, but they’re a window into how smart front offices operate. The Rangers are managing their assets with an eye on development, competitiveness, and compliance. They’re keeping their AHL team strong through the Olympic break while giving a young goalie like Ollas a taste of the NHL environment.
No panic, no wasted motion - just a team making sure every piece is where it needs to be. And come playoff time, depth like this can make all the difference.