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Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Approaching the finalization of their squad for the opening night, the New York Rangers executed two transactions on Sunday. The team placed defenseman Matthew Robertson on waivers and assigned Connor Mackey to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, following Mackey clearing waivers earlier in the day.
If Robertson clears waivers on Monday as anticipated, he is also expected to be assigned to Hartford.
Currently, the Rangers have eight defensemen on their roster. However, Ryan Lindgren is sidelined due to an upper-body injury and is not likely to be ready for the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday at PPG Paints Arena. Consequently, either veteran Chad Ruhwedel or rookie Victor Mancini will make it into the lineup on Wednesday.
As things stand, Mancini seems to be positioned within the top six. During Sunday’s practice, the 22-year-old skated on the right side of a pairing with Zac Jones. Braden Schneider shifted from his usual right-side position to skate on the left with Jacob Trouba as his partner. K’Andre Miller stepped up to replace Lindgren alongside Adam Fox. Ruhwedel served as the extra defenseman in practice.
Mancini was impressive throughout training camp, notching two goals and three points while displaying a robust
Ruhwedel, who shares the right shot orientation with Mancini, brings valuable experience to the Rangers as an additional defenseman. At 34 years old, he played a critical role in helping the Penguins secure the Stanley Cup in 2017 and has appeared in 364 NHL games.
Prior to practice on Sunday, Lindgren was seen skating independently. However, Coach Peter Laviolette did not provide a timeline for his return.
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Connor Mackey — Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Alongside Mancini and Ruhwedel, Robertson and Mackey are contending for a position on the opening-night roster. All four players spent last season with Hartford, and if unclaimed on waivers, it will mark Robertson’s fourth season there.
The 23-year-old has been sidelined for a significant portion of training camp due to a lower-body injury. While he participated in the first and final games of New York’s preseason schedule, he ended without recording any points. He averaged 14:18 of ice time, contributing three blocked shots and three turnovers during a 5-2 loss against the Islanders on Friday.
Drafted in the second round in 2019, Robertson has yet to play in the NHL, although he seemed to leave a positive impression during rookie camp and when healthy at training camp.
“It’s understandably more challenging to make the team when you’re young and unable to showcase your talent,” Laviolette remarked on Thursday. “Nonetheless, we believe [Robertson] is a strong player.
Mackey participated in four preseason games, one of which he played alongside Fox,
The New York Rangers have assigned defenseman Connor Mackey to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Furthermore, goaltender Talyn Boyko has been reassigned from the Wolf Pack to the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers.
In a related announcement, the Wolf Pack has loaned forward Maxim Barbashev to the… pic.twitter.com/p5vMtPOfth
— Hartford Wolf Pack (@WolfPackAHL) October 6, 2024
Beyond the defensemen, the Rangers also face a decision regarding their forwards. Artemi Panarin, similar to Lindgren, skated prior to practice on Sunday. However, the notable forward is still uncertain due to a lower-body injury. Additionally, Jimmy Vesey is sidelined with a lower-body injury as well.
On Sunday, Adam Edstrom and Jonny Brodzinski alternated skating in Vesey’s position on the fourth line. Rookie Brett Berard, who topped Hartford with 25 goals last season, skated in Panarin’s spot on a line alongside Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere.
A roster move among the forwards is necessary before Wednesday.
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