New York Rangers injury update: Adam Edstrom could be out 3.5 months with lower-body issue
The New York Rangers received some unwelcome injury news Tuesday when it was learned that Adam Edstrom will be out 2.5-3.5 months with a lower-body issue.
That timeline means that, at best, Edstrom could return for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, assuming the Rangers make it. They enter play Tuesday 12th in the Eastern Conference, five points out of the second wild card.
A 3.5 month absence could mean this is a season-ending injury for Edstrom if the Rangers do not make a deep playoff run.
The 24-year-old forward sustained the unspecified injury during a 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon. He left the game early in the second period, playing only six shifts in the contest.
Edstrom missed his first game of the season Sunday, a 4-2 win against the Vegas Golden Knights at Madison Square Garden. He was replaced by veteran forward Jimmy Vesey on the fourth line with Sam Carrick and Matt Rempe.
“He’s had a really good year for us, for his first year being regular here and being consistently in games,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said about Edstrom on Tuesday. “It’s his size, it’s his physicality, it’s his speed. You take a piece like that out, you’re going to miss it. But it’s a great opportunity for anybody else who steps into the lineup. Last game it was Jimmy, so that’s a good opportunity for him to jump back in.”
It’s a blow for sure because Edstrom has had a solid first full season in the NHL, after appearing in 11 games last season. Over 51 games , the 6-foot-6 forward has five goals and four assists, averaging 9:16 TOI. Three of his five goals were scored in January, including the game-winner in the Rangers’ 6-1 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers at MSG on Jan. 23.
Edstrom’s drawn praise from Laviolette right from the start of training camp for his speed, smarts, forecheck ability and defensive awareness. Since Rempe returned from an eight-game suspension, he, Edstrom and Carrick have formed an extremely formidable fourth line at both ends of the ice.
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What’s next for Rangers after Adam Edstrom injury
The timing of Edstrom’s injury is ironic in a way. Just last week, Vesey complained about his role on the Rangers after being a healthy scratch since Jan. 11.
“I love being a Ranger, and I think everyone knows that. The six years I’ve been here have been the best and most fun I’ve had as a player,” Vesey told Larry Brooks of the New York Post. “But this stretch where I haven’t dressed for the last [nine] games and have no indication that this is going to change, it’s been extremely difficult for me.
“It seems that I’ve fallen out of favor and have just been cast aside over an extended period of time. It feels like I have no role or purpose on this team. I’m kind of dying by being here.”
Laviolette downplayed Vesey’s comments at the time, explaining that the 31-year-old remains an important part of the team. Now, it’d appear Vesey will slot into a regular role on the fourth line.
Vesey logged 12:24 TOI in his lineup return Sunday. He’s gone nine games without a goal and has just four points (three goals, one assist) in 27 games this season. However, Vesey had 26 and 25 points the past two seasons primarily in a bottom-six role. He also brings 610 games of NHL experience and is a solid penalty killer.
“(Vesey) has been here for a long time, he’s a guy that I’m super comfortable playing with. We get along great and we’re looking forward to playing together again, building some chemistry,” Carrick said after practice Tuesday. “He’s been out for a bit, but he’s had a really good attitude, really positive and he’s been working really hard. We know that he’ll be ready to go now that he’s called upon.”
For now, it appears Arthur Kaliyev is the odd man out of the lineup. Jonny Brodzinski played the past two games as third-line center after Filip Chytil was traded to the Vancouver Canucks and Mika Zibanejad shifted to wing on a line with J.T. Miller.
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