TAMPA – Petr Prucha has been scratched for eight straight games. At 26 and in his fourth NHL season, he has played in just eight of the Rangers’ 25 games and has yet to record a point.
Still, somehow, it remains impossible to wipe the smile off the irrepressible winger’s face. He remains optimistic. He remains committed to the Rangers. He just wants to play.
Tonight in Sunrise, Fla., when the Rangers meet the Panthers, he just might. If not, it’s likely he’ll get his chance to play for the AHL Wolf Pack on a conditioning assignment.
“There’s a distinct possibility Petr will play [against Florida],” coach Tom Renney said following a 45-minute practice that preceded the team’s late-afternoon flight across the state. “I’ve been giving that a great deal of thought.
“If not, though, then Hartford will become a consideration . . . We’ve got to get Petr playing, for his good and the good of the organization. A conditioning assignment has helped to jump-start other players, so I see no reason why it wouldn’t have the same impact for Petr.”
Prucha hasn’t played since Nov. 8. He hasn’t yet played in more than three consecutive games. He’s been a victim of circumstances, the most prominent a roster that somehow still contains 15 forwards.
“Nigel [Dawes] has been a part of this dilemma as well,” Renney said of the sophomore who’s been scratched the last two games. “Nigel can make plays off the wing, which I’m not sure is Petr’s forte, and that makes Nigel a nice complement on a line that needs a playmaking wing.
“And then, too, I’ve wanted to be able to wrap my head around Dan Fritsche’s game. I’ve wanted to make certain I’m fully educated on what he can bring to us, so I’ve given him a run of [eight straight] games.
“I know what Petr can do. I know that he can score and has scored in this league, 52 goals his first two seasons. I don’t care who he was on the ice with, that tells me something. Now he needs the opportunity. I know that.
“It would be easy for me to say that when he plays, he needs to score, but considering the circumstances, I don’t know that he can. So it’s B.S. for me to say that he’s been given a shot and can’t do it. He needs playing time.”
Prucha, who was unaware of the possibility he might play tonight when he left the ice yesterday, said he met recently with Renney to discuss his status. There were no ultimatums from player to coach. There have been no thoughts of requesting a trade.
“Tom told me to stay positive and patient and that I am still a valuable player for the Rangers,” Prucha said. “It’s been very difficult, but I love the Rangers, and this is the place I want to play.
“I’m not the kind of a person who would say, ‘Trade me’ because I might not like the way things are going. Let’s face it, I am responsible, too. If I could have scored a couple of goals, my situation would be different. I know they like that I battle and play hard, but that isn’t enough. They want me to score goals.”
Tonight, he may get that opportunity.