GREAT NEWS! Captain Ryan McDonagh back at FULL practice
New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) is helped off the ice by a trainer after he is injured in the first period of their NHL game at Madison Square Garden in New York, November 1, 2014. Ray Stubblebine
Ryan McDonagh was on the ice today in a contact jersey and looks closer to a return. Rangers’ beat writers on the scene tweeted out the following:
Ryan McDonagh practicing with the Rangers wearing a normal jersey today here in Tampa. Sporting a quality stache, too #NYR
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) November 25, 2014
McDonagh taking part in all drills and contact…skating as extra d-man paired with extra forward Lee Stempniak #NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 25, 2014
This is great news as it looks like he could be eyeing a return this weekend. So far he’s missed 10 games due to the shoulder injury and the Rangers did their best to hold their heads above water going 4-3-3.
The Rangers blueline was being manned by AHL talent in Matt Hunwick, Mike Kostka, Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath. Things were so bad that the Rangers thought about signing out-of-work defenseman, Tomas Kaberle. They also signed NJ Devils refugee Henrik Tallinder to a PTO in Hartford this week.
When McDonagh does return, it will be the first time since game 1 of the season that the Rangers will have their top 6 defensemen together.