Though still under contract with the Rangers, Baranka is currently playing with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL and is unlikely to play for the Blueshirts in the near future.
Baranka has only played in one NHL game since the Rangers selected him with a second-round pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He is falling off the map, as he only appeared in four games last season (and that was overseas in Russia's Kontinenal Hockey League).
The 24-year old Baranka is likely going to be relegated to the minors for the entirety of the upcoming season.
The Slovakian defenseman had five goals and 26 points in 61 games for Hartford of the AHL last season. Still needs another season or two at Hartford to refine his skills but could eventually be a number four defenseman for the Rangers.
Baranka is a solid defenseman that will need to show the organization something in training camp in order to make this roster in 2007-08. In 2006-07, Ivan skated in 54 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), tallying three goals and 20 assists for 23 points, along with 50 penalty minutes.
Baranka, a former Rangers' second round pick (50th overall) in the 2003 NHL draft, played 59 games for the Wolfpack of the AHL in the 2005-06 season, registering five goals, 16 assists for 21 points and 87 PIMs. He'll likely get a look in training camp, but with the glut of defenseman on the roster, Baranka will see the bulk of his time with Hartford (AHL) and will get some call up considerations when an injury occurs on the main team.
Baranka played 64 games for Everett of the AHL in the 2004-05 season, registering seven goals, 16 assists for 23 points and 64 PIMs. He'll likely split time between Everett and Hartford, depending on how far along his development is half-way during the season.
