Rangers injury update: Jimmy Vesey ‘out a few weeks’ with lower-body issue
Jimmy Vesey will be “out a few weeks,” according to New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, after the veteran forward sustained a lower-body injury at practice on Sunday.
Laviolette had told the media after Sunday’s practice that the injury “seemed somewhat harmless” but that further evaluation was necessary. But he said Monday that Vesey will be out for multiple weeks. The Rangers open their regular season against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Oct. 9.
Vesey left practice with what appeared to be a non-contact injury. He limped off the ice during drills and didn’t return.
The versatile 31-year-old was replaced by Adam Edstrom on the fourth line for the remainder of practice. Edstrom had been rotating in prior to that, with Sam Carrick and Matt Rempe also getting fourth-line reps.
Vesey’s absence would allow both Edstrom and Rempe to play on a towering fourth line. Edstrom stands 6-foot-7 and Rempe is 6-foot-8. Carrick centers that line and is rugged 6-footer who weighs 205 pounds.
“That’s what training camp is about,” Laviolette said of the two young players getting an opportunity to show their stuff. “It’s an opportunity for guys to step up. I think some guys have had good camps, and that’s the evaluation process. We’ve still got three (preseason) games left, and those evaluations are still taking place.”
Edstrom has two goals and one assist in two preseason games for the Rangers, including the game-winner late in the third period Tuesday against the Islanders. He also scored three goals in two rookie games before the preseason.
Vesey is scoreless in two preseason games. Carrick and Rempe are scoreless in one game each.
Related: What we’ve learned about Rangers halfway through preseason
Rangers await medical word on injured forward Jimmy Vesey
In his second stint with the Rangers, Vesey has been a valuable bottom-six forward the past two seasons. He had 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 80 games last season and 25 points 11 goals, 14 assists) in 81 games in 2022-23.
After Blake Wheeler sustained a knee injury in February last season, Vesey moved up to play in the top six on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. He moved back down the lineup after Jack Roslovic was acquired prior to the trade deadline.
Vesey played 12 of New York’s 16 games in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs and had three points (one goal, two assists). He sustained a separated shoulder against the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final.
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