New York Rangers Daily: Not all good playing in 4 Nations; More bad injury news for Canucks’ Thatcher Demko
The New York Rangers were back on the ice Tuesday, and Wednesday they’ll continue to ramp back up after the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The Blueshirts return to action this weekend with a pair of road games in Buffalo against the Sabres on Saturday and a Sunday matinee against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Coach Peter Laviolette said he took it slow with the players Tuesday, — “get some touches,” he called the practice plan. But things will ramp up as the week progresses.
Mika Zibanejad and Urho Vaakanainen are expected to be in the Rangers facility Wednesday, though don’t look for either to be back on the ice after participating in the 4 Nations.
As for the 4 Nations, Laviolette said he’s not surprised by the high level of play nor the intensity of the NHL players representing their native countries. Also not a surprise was Laviolette’s concern over players being hurt in these games during the middle of the NHL schedule.
Mollie Walker of the New York Post reported that Vincent Trocheck confirmed he was fine Monday night after Team USA’s 2-1 loss to Sweden. But he didn’t look fine during the game, shaking his right hand and heading to the dressing room late in the first period.
Trocheck finished the game, but lost four of seven face-offs — unusual for him — and seemed to be bothered by the hand/wrist issue at different times.
Maybe it’s nothing. But if it’s something, then that puts a damper on this entire feel-good tournament from a Rangers perspective.
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New York Rangers news
Igor Shesterkin was absent from practice Tuesday, and Laviolette said the goalie is still day to day with an upper-body injury. Shesterkin reportedly skated on his own, however.
John Kreiser handed out reports cards Wednesday morning, grading each of the six Rangers who participated in the 4 Nations Face-Off ahead of the championship game Thursday.
Johnny Gaudreau is not far from Chris Kreider’s thoughts at the 4 Nations.
The Rangers are set up with a pretty favorable schedule after the 4 Nations Face-Off. Now, will they take advantage of it?
EJ Emery’s suspension and Gabe Perreault’s hot streak highlight this week’s Rangers NCAA prospects report.
Tip of the hat to Peter Baugh of The Athletic, who polled the Rangers dressing room Tuesday to find out how the Canadian players are viewing the 4 Nations Face-Off and who’ll be tuned in to the championship game against the United States, which features four of their Blueshirt teammates.
NHL news
Charlie McAvoy is week to week for the Boston Bruins after undergoing a procedure to clear an infection.
Will Quinn Hughes join Team USA for the championship game to replace McAvoy in the lineup? It’s complicated.
Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel came out firing with his words against Team USA, stoking the fires for what should be a very emotional and intense championship game Thursday.
Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko is out week to week with a lower-body injury and will miss their entire five-game road trip coming out of the break.
The Canucks signed recently-acquired forward Drew O’Connor to a two-year, $5 million contract.
The family of Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull released a statement Wednesday stating that the Golden Jet had CTE, a degenerative brain disease, when he died two years ago.
After missing 52 games with a shoulder injury, defenseman Sean Durzi should be good to go for the Utah Hockey Club coming out of the break.
The Edmonton Oilers recalled top prospect Matthew Savoie — and the forward will be in the lineup on their upcoming road trip.
It appears the Penguins will have a pair of key forwards back from injury when the season resumes this weekend. Both Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust practiced full Tuesday and are “good to go.”
The New Jersey Devils had a mixed bag of injury news Tuesday. On the positive side, captain Nico Hischier appears healthy and ready to return to the lineup. But defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler had a procedure done during the break and will be reevaluated in 2-3 weeks.
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