A day after defeating the Blues 3-2 to snap a four-game losing streak, the Rangers placed Juuso Parssinen on waivers.

Originally acquired from the Avalanche as part of the Ryan Lindgren deal, Parssinen only played in 14 games and had two goals and an assist this season. The 24-year-old forward lost out on the third line center job in preseason to rookie Noah Laba. He was used sparingly by coach Mike Sullivan.

The Rangers had hoped to trade Parssinen to another team. But it became clear that there were no interested suitors for a player who was dumped by the Predators to the Avalanche on Dec. 28, 2024. He lasted three months before being included with a pair of picks to the Rangers in exchange for Lindgren, Jimmy Vesey, and Hank Kempf on Mar. 1. At least the Rangers have prospect Malcom Spence left to show for the trade that also included former NHL defenseman Calvin de Haan.

After tallying two goals and four assists in 22 games with Colorado, Parssinen totaled four goals and four assists in 25 games for the Rangers. He was never trusted enough by either Sullivan or former coach Peter Laviolette.

It made Chris Drury look bad after re-signing Parssinen for two years, $1.25 million AAV. While it isn’t a bad cap hit, it never made much sense to give him an extra year. There was no guarantee that after hiring Sullivan that he’d play Parssinen consistently. Unfortunately, that’s exactly the circumstances that led to his demise.

With Laba emerging in his rookie year and Sullivan showing more confidence in nephew-in-law Conor Sheary, Parssinen became the odd man out in the lineup.

When J.T. Miller missed a second straight game, Jonny Brodzinski continued to play with Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin. The veteran is more trusted by the coaching staff to step into a better role due to his capabilities. Lo and behold, Brodzinski set up Trocheck for a big tying goal in the second period that swung the momentum on Monday night.

The Rangers scored three straight times to grab a 3-1 lead. Alexis Lafreniere redirected a Vladislav Gavrikov shot for his fifth. Gavrikov then set up Adam Edstrom from down low for what proved to be the game-winner.

Berard Impresses In Debut

After finally being recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack, Brett Berard made his season debut. In the first period, while playing with Laba and Conor Sheary, he got two good chances. The gritty forward nearly finished off his first right on the doorstep, which left him shaking his head when he watched the replay on the bench.

In 16 shifts (9:21), Berard had two shots and four attempts. He was very noticeable throughout. With the Rangers still leading the Blues by two, he took an ill-advised high-sticking double minor on Jake Neighbours. However, the Rangers killed it off.

With Sullivan mostly pleased with how Berard played, it probably spelled the end for Parssinen, who never seemed to be in the coach’s plans.

He couldn’t even crack the fourth line. With Edstrom scoring his second since returning from a healthy scratch, he’s responded well. Sam Carrick remains a constant as the checking center, who also doubles on the penalty killing unit. Taylor Raddysh doesn’t fit on that line, but he’s capable of supplying more offense than Parssinen.

Had it been up to me, I would’ve played him over Sheary. But that was Sullivan’s call. He had Sheary in Pittsburgh when he was a good secondary scorer. It’s painfully obvious that’s no longer the case. His effort isn’t in question, but the lack of finish is mind-numbing.

Drury’s Moves Backfire

You really have to question how a veteran who spent all of 2024-25 playing for Syracuse in the American Hockey League could make the team on a PTO and never come out of the lineup over a younger player Drury committed two years to at a higher salary.

It’s similar to him going two years for $1.55 million AAV on Urho Vaakanainen, who, similar to Parssinen, came over in a trade last year. That was the salary dump of Jacob Trouba on Dec. 6, 2024. While Vaakanainen has fallen out of favor under Sullivan, who prefers afterthought Matthew Robertson, Trouba has rediscovered himself in Anaheim. So has Chris Kreider, whose 10 goals would rank first on the Rangers.

It really makes you question what exactly Drury is doing. He turned a good roster that made the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals into a mediocre team that looks like it could be headed for a second straight playoff miss.

The return on Kreider was Carey Terrance, who hasn’t distinguished himself in the AHL. He has two goals in 17 games. Hopefully, Artyom Gonchar becomes something down the line on the back end. He was the third round pick the Rangers got back in the Kreider salary dump.

When it comes to asset management, Drury sucks at it. He never gets back enough for anyone. What exactly will become of Brennan Othmann? The former 2021 first round pick is still without a goal in 12 games with Hartford after another failure to make the roster. He only got one game with the Rangers before they unceremoniously dumped him back down.

Not Much Cause For Excitement

Even following just their second win at Madison Square Garden, there isn’t much cause for excitement. This is a team that will continue to struggle offensively. The game against the equally bad Blues dragged on for large portions.

Fans who are spending top dollar on tickets and concessions aren’t getting any return. They also bumped up the Casino Night event to $800, which is absurd. But in James Dolan’s world, there’s always suckers out there who’ll pay to meet their favorite players at a signature event.

It’s supposed to be a 100-year celebration of the franchise. Outside of legendary TV announcer Sam Rosen emceeing the special centennial events honoring former Rangers legends and special moments, there isn’t much worth watching.

Fans will continue to patiently wait for the day top prospect, Gabe Perreault gets more than a three-game cameo. Scott Morrow should be back up once Parssinen is either claimed or clears. With Will Borgen and now Jonathan Quick on the IR, now is the time to find out about Morrow,- who’s exactly the kind of skating defenseman the Blueshirts need more of.

The question is, when will we finally have a team that’s worth watching? Don’t hold your breath.