Rangers assign Talyn Boyko to Wolf Pack, Mika Zibanejad back at practice

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mika zibanejad
Apr 29, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) speaks to the media following a 3-2 win against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers have hit the ice for pracitce on Monday, and everyone can collectively exhale as Mika Zibanejad is back after an injury scare.

Yesterday, the Blueshirts top center left a scrimmage early after some contact that the team labeled an upper-body injury with a day-to-day status. According to Vince Mercogliano, Mika is wearing a non-contact jersey.

Related: Rangers drop preseason opener

Mika Zibanejad back at practice

Zibanejad, 30, posted a career high 91 points in 82 games last season for the Blueshirts. Since the 2020-21 campaign, the Swedish born pivot has missed just one game.

It’s a great sign that Mika is back so quickly, even if it is in a non-contact jersey which is likley for precautionary reasons. The Rangers will need their best two-way player to lead the charge and hopefully unlock Alexis Lafreniere’s full potential this upcoming year.

New York is hoping the first overall pick in the 2020 draft can successfully move from his natural left wing position to the right side. There’s no better center on the team than Zibanejad to help him make the move.

Highly touted prospect Brennan Othmann is also back with the group after being listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury this weekend.

Othmann, 20, notched 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 56 matches split between the Flint Firebirds and the Peterborough Petes in 2022-23. He took his game to another level in the playoffs leading Peterborough to an OHL title with 8 goals and 17 assists for 25 points in 23 playoff games. Unfortunately, the Petes fell short of winning the Memorial Cup but Othmann finished his junior career in style, including back-to-back World Junior Championship Gold Medals with Canada.

Rangers assign Talyn Boyko to Wolf Pack

bobby trivigno
Bobby Trivigno takes part in the Rangers Prospect Development Camp at the Rangers Training facility in Tarrytown July 12, 2022. Rangers Development Camp

The New York Rangers announced they have assigned goaltender Talyn Boyko to the Hartford Wolf Pack. That leaves the team now with four goalies in camp.

Boyko, 20, amassed a record of 13-24-1 with a GAA of 3.55 and a .898 save percentage with the Kelowna Rockets last season. He was selected by New York in the fourth round of the 2021 draft.

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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