NHL Playoffs 2012: Possible Scenarios to Replace Brandon Prust in Game 4

File this slide under the category of longshot.

Back on May 15, the New York Rangers called up six players from their AHL affiliate, the Connecticut Whale, after their season ended. 

Cam Talbot, Tim Erixon, Dylan McIlrath, 2011 first-round pick J.T. Miller, Kris Newbury and Casey Wellman are all with the Rangers, serving as the team's "taxi squad" by skating with the team during practices. 

It's highly unlike any of the five aforementioned skaters see any time in the playoffs unless a catastrophic injury occurs. 

Of the forwards, Casey Wellman—acquired from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Erik Christensen—would be the best choice to step in right away if needed (22 points in 31 games with the Whale and has 41 games of NHL experience).

Mats Zuccarello

The man they call "The Norwegian Hobbit," Mats Zuccarello hasn't appeared in a game for the Rangers in more than six weeks after fracturing his wrist.

Zuccarello has been skating with the team the past few weeks, and his initial timetable for a return after his injury was four to six weeks.

The Rangers have been mum on whether he's healthy enough for a return. Could he be pressed into action tonight for Game 4?

Seeing as he's an offensively-focused player, and this series with the Devils has been very physical, it seems this is very unlikely. 

Brandon Dubinsky

Sidelined since Game 7 of the Ottawa Senators series with an injury to his right foot, forward Brandon Dubinsky has recently begun skating with the team during practice and participated in his first full practice with the team yesterday.

The timing couldn't be more seamless for Dubinsky to return to the Rangers. But is he ready?

Via Katie Strang of ESPN New York:

"

"I'm going to follow Torts' rules again," Dubinsky said. "No timeline." 

"

If he's healthy, the Blueshirts could certainly use Dubinsky's grit, strong play along the boards—something the team has lacked in this series—and penalty-killing abilities.

Providing some offense would be extremely helpful, too. But don't put the cart before the horse.

One of the Recent AHL Call-Ups

File this slide under the category of longshot.

Back on May 15, the New York Rangers called up six players from their AHL affiliate, the Connecticut Whale, after their season ended. 

Cam Talbot, Tim Erixon, Dylan McIlrath, 2011 first-round pick J.T. Miller, Kris Newbury and Casey Wellman are all with the Rangers, serving as the team's "taxi squad" by skating with the team during practices. 

It's highly unlike any of the five aforementioned skaters see any time in the playoffs unless a catastrophic injury occurs. 

Of the forwards, Casey Wellman—acquired from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Erik Christensen—would be the best choice to step in right away if needed (22 points in 31 games with the Whale and has 41 games of NHL experience).

Stu Bickel or Steve Eminger

This scenario is the most likely to happen. 

Coach Tortorella likes to make roster decisions as easy as possible, so inserting either Stu Bickel or Steve Eminger on the fourth line as a winger while the other plays on the third defense pairing is a scenario the coach is most comfortable with. 

Tortorella did so in Game 1 of the Washington Capitals series after learning about Dubinsky's foot injury.

The player replacing Prust isn't guaranteed a lot of ice time—unless it's Dubinsky returning—so putting a player comfortable in that role may be the way Tortorella goes. Stu Bickel has been a soldier for Tortorella, willing to do anything for the team.