The New York Rangers have battled the injury bug for most of the season, but their success so far can be attributed to the team’s depth.
Injuries are a part of a team’s strategic plan at the start of every NHL season. The New York Rangers are no different, as they have had their share of players getting hurt throughout this season.
Igor Shesterkin, Johnathan Quick, Ryan Lindgren, Adam Fox, Kappo Kakko, and Ryan Lindgren have found themselves in and out of the lineup due to injuries. Filip Chytil ( Concussion) and Blake Wheeler (Lower Body Injury) are both out for the remainder of the season, though it has been reported that Wheeler could return if the Rangers make a deep playoff run and have been placed on LTIR.
Relying on the Wolf Pack
The Rangers AHL affiliate team, the Hartford Wolf Pack, has become a lifeline for the Blueshirts this season. Will Cuylle began the journey from Hartford to Broadway when he made the team out of training camp. The 22-year-old played 69 games for the Wolf Pack last season before transitioning to the Rangers full-time.
Defenseman Zac Jones has been up with the team all season, serving as the much-needed seventh defenseman playing in 17 games this season.
The injury bug has allowed general manager Chris Drury to be given the opportunity to see how the younger Blueshirts can perform with the big club.
Goalies, defensemen, and forwards from Hartford have had the opportunity to wear the Rangers sweater this season.
Adam Sykora, Louis Dominique, Connor Mackey, Brennan Othmann, Adam Edstrom, Mat Remepe, Mathew Robertson, and Alex Belize have been called up to continue the Blueshirt’s success atop of the Metropolitan Division.
Some, like Mackey and Rempe, have made instant implications to the team, but all have added a little flair to help the team in different ways.
A key factor in how the players have been able to step in without missing a beat is how the Rangers and Wolf Pack communicate with each other. The Wolf Pack understand that their primary function is to get their players ready for when the time comes that they are needed at the NHL level, but they also understand that winning AHL hockey games is as big of a responsibility.
Injuries never come at a good time, but the Rangers organization has proven just how vital the AHL is should they want to stay competitive while they wait for the injured players to return.
A 36-16-3 record displays how much impact the call-ups have had on the team. There is plenty of hockey left before the playoffs. Twenty-seven games remain on the schedule, the trade deadline is on March 8, and the Blueshirts are battling for the top spot in the Metropolitan division when the season ends for home-ice advantage to start the playoffs.
A team is more than the 22 men on the NHL roster. It consists of a hockey organization playing on the same page with one ultimate goal: a deep playoff run with the potential to play for Lord Stanley’s Cup.
It’s apparent the team depth will not be the reason if the Rangers don’t accomplish every fan’s dream.
Follow Frank on X at @RangerProud
