The New York Rangers are facing a challenging week ahead, grappling with significant roster issues as the February 4th Olympic roster freeze approaches. Here's a breakdown of the key storylines:
Panarin's Impending Departure
The biggest news surrounding the Rangers is the likely trade of star winger Artemi Panarin. The team has officially signaled a "retooling" phase, making Panarin the most immediate and impactful piece on the move. He has been held out of the lineup for "roster management purposes," NHL code for an imminent trade to avoid potential injury.
Panarin possesses a full no-move clause, giving him control over his destination. Rumors suggest he prefers to join a contender and is seeking a contract extension as part of any deal. Several teams have been mentioned as potential landing spots, including the Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes. It has been reported that the New York Rangers had a deal in place to move Artemi Panarin to the Seattle Kraken, likely for a package including Shane Wright, but Panarin has rejected the move.
General Manager Chris Drury reportedly informed Panarin that the team would not offer him an extension, prompting the decision to trade him now rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency.
Injury Crisis
Adding to the Rangers' woes are critical injuries to key players. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox, have been out since January 5th with lower-body injuries. Shesterkin's absence has created instability in net, while Fox's absence has significantly impacted the team's puck movement. Noah Laba sustained an upper-body injury in the January 31st game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Roster Moves
In a minor move typical of a team looking to rebuild with youth, the Rangers claimed defenseman Vincent Iorio off waivers from the San Jose Sharks on January 31st.
Schedule Ahead
The Rangers' schedule for the upcoming week includes three home games at Madison Square Garden:
- February 5th vs Carolina Hurricanes at 7:00 PM
- February 26th vs Philadelphia Flyers at 8:00 PM
- February 28th vs Pittsburgh Penguins at 12:30 PM
Team Performance
The Rangers have struggled mightily this season and find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 22-28-6 record. They finished January with a dismal 3-10-1 record and have lost six of their last seven games. The team's struggles have been further compounded by the absence of key players due to injury.