The Rangers don’t have a clue what to do with the former ’09 first round pick who dazzled during last year’s postseason. A year later, Kreider’s confidence is shot thanks to an awful stint in Connecticut. He was sent back again and played for the Whale Friday. Then was an emergency recall in case Rick Nash couldn’t play.

With key penalty killer Darroll Powe going down last night with a concussion, the Rangers recalled forward Brandon Mashinter. He scored a goal and assist in the Whale’s latest win. It’s the second time Mashinter is up. During practice today, he rotated with Kreider on the fourth line.

It’s pretty evident that John Tortorella doesn’t trust Kreider. So, why is he even up? Even more bizarre, Hartford sent him back up. If you’re not going to play him, he may as well go down and play for the Whale. As I noted in another post on the situation, the organization is not helping Kreider’s psyche. He should either be on the third line with J.T. Miller and Ryan Callahan or getting more minutes in the AHL.

As usual, Tortorella has it backwards.