Rangers Daily: Injury scares; Kings’ Anze Kopitar to retire
Injuries happen. This is professional sports after all. The New York Rangers are not immune to that fact.
Yet, it is jarring when star forward Artemi Panarin didn’t finish practice Friday nor skate Saturday due to a lower-body injury. Even if coach Mike Sullivan downplayed the severity of the issue, explained that the Rangers are simply being cautious this early in training camp, and that Panarin is day to day.
It’s jarring, though, because the Rangers don’t have another game-breaker like Panarin on the roster or in the pipeline. Of course, many teams don’t have even one Panarin comparable, much less another to step up in an injury absence. But we’re focusing on the Rangers here, not any other team.
Let’s face it, the Rangers are spoiled. Panarin’s missed two games the past three seasons combined. He scored 49 goals and recorded 120 points two years ago, second most in franchise history. Only Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Nathan MacKinnon have more points than Panarin (550) since he signed with the Rangers ahead of the 2019-20 season.
Remove him from the Rangers lineup and who scares you? Or better question, how scared are you if he’s out of the lineup?
Listen, the Rangers have plenty of talent on the roster. But players like Panarin, Igor Shesterkin, and Adam Fox are special, pretty much irreplaceable for what they bring to the Rangers. Removing them from the lineup for any extended stretch would be crushing.
Shesterkin’s at the top of that list. But Panarin’s skill set and scoring volume and consistency is pretty much just as difficult to replace.
It appears Panarin will be fine. Just a precaution, as Sullivan explained. And there was no harm, no foul when Brennan Othmann took a puck to the face Thursday and Vincent Trocheck had a brief moment Friday.
Injury scares are a thing. Injuries themselves are a reality every team deals with.
But it does make you think, and sweat, even just a little.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Shout out to our Jennifer O’Regan, who delivered the goods with an outstanding intimate feature story on how family played such a key role in Brett Berard’s journey to the NHL. Her exclusive interview with Brett’s parents — as well as those awesome childhood photos — make this a must-read for Rangers fans.
Igor Shesterkin cut to the chase Friday. The Rangers’ goal is not simply to be better this season, it’s “Stanley Cup.”
Our Tom Castro takes a deep dive into Alexis Lafreniere seeking a bounce-back season with the Rangers in 2025-26.
Breaking down how coach Mike Sullivan can help bring out the absolute best in Adam Fox this season.
Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller are focused on being “forwards,” not who plays center or on the wing, as Rangers linemates in training camp.
NHL news and rumors
LA Kings Insider: Kings captain and two-time Stanley Cup champion Anze Kopitar announced that this will be his final season in the NHL.
Minnesota Sports Fan: Here’s the latest on what Kirill Kaprizov had to say on his contract situation with the Minnesota Wild, and his agent making an appearance at training camp.
Forever Blueshirts: Former Rangers forward Kevin Hayes is out at least a month and will miss the start of the Pittsburgh Penguins season after he sustained an upper-body injury in training camp.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Evgeni Malkin is in the final season of his contract, so the Penguins forward discussed his future and what could be next for him with reporters at training camp.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is “disappointed” RFA defenseman Luke Hughes is unsigned and not in camp yet.
TSN: Alexander Kerfoot is week to week with a lower-body injury for the Utah Mammoth.
NHL.com: Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin released a statement detailing how his wife Caroline had a heart transplant this summer.
Sportsnet: Alex Ovechkin didn’t skate Friday, one day after leaving Washington Capitals practice to be evaluated for a lower-body injury.
