Rangers Roundup: Kaapo Kakko remains week-to-week, and Gerard Gallant talks trade deadline
The New York Rangers have shown a keen ability to bounce back after disappointing losses. That’s exactly what happened on the Blueshirts final game of the road trip.
Falling behind 2-0 in the first 4:53 at Dallas, they answered with four goals in a span of 5:05 and ultimately won 7-4 over the Stars.
The Rangers are 14-14-3 when allowing the first goal. The Rangers also own 19 comeback wins, tied for the league lead with the Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets, and their nine wins when trailing after the opening 20 minutes are the most in the NHL.
Gerard Gallant’s charges look to keep it going at Madison Square Garden when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
New York Rangers injury update
After practice on Monday, head coach Gerard Gallant updated the status of two key players: Kaapo Kakko and Kevin Rooney.
“They’re doing their rehab and it’s still week-to-week,” he said. “It’s not going to be this week for sure.”
Kakko, 21, last played on January 21 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Television cameras caught Kakko wincing in a lot of pain and discomfort at the end of the second period as he was flexing his his left arm. He was placed on IR the next day and is still recovering.
Rooney, 28, has 11 points in 51 games this season and has been an integral part of the Blueshirts’ physical fourth line with Ryan Reaves. The injury occurred on March 2 and the Rangers sorely miss his checking abilities.
The Rangers were hoping Kakko would be back this week before the NHL Trade Deadline, next Monday.
Gerard Gallant on trade deadline
The New York Rangers trade rumors will be a big focus this week. They have four more games before the NHL Trade Deadline which includes the following matchups:
- Anaheim Ducks 3/15
- New York Islanders 3/17
- @Tampa Bay Lightning 3/19
- @Carolina Hurricanes 3/20
Expect the trade rumors to ramp up with the possibility of a move before the team hits the road against Tampa and Carolina. So, just how much input does Gerard Gallant have when it comes to trades? Apparently not much at all.
“This is my first year with [Chris Drury] at this time of the year (trade deadline),” Gallant explained. “Obviously we talked about individual players, what possibly could happen, but it hasn’t been a lot.”
“Chris wants me to coach the team and the guys I got here– that’s my job,” he added. “If he asks me about some players that I know, then I’ll give him feedback. There’s not a whole lot of conversation.”
Forever Blueshirts had learned recently that Gallant lobbied to have the team acquire Ryan Reaves earlier this season and expressed interest in another Golden Knight, Reilly Smith.
Smith, 30, is a pending UFA that the Rangers would love to add. However, with Mark Stone on LTIR, Vegas is not forced to trade the reliable right wing.
NHL Trade Bait Tracker
The latest Trade Bait Tracker has been updated. Check out who is the top target for teams with just one week before the NHL Trade Deadline. Read More.
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