Breaking down Rangers’ defensive depth with Ryan Lindgren injured

The principle goal of the preseason: keep wholesome.

However simply three video games into motion the Rangers couldn’t handle to just do that, as defenseman Ryan Lindgren is now anticipated to be sidelined a couple of weeks with an upper-body harm he suffered this week towards the Islanders.

Lindgren was shortly dominated out simply six minutes into the primary interval after taking place exhausting on the finish of a scrap with Scott Mayfield in protection of middle Filip Chytil, who took a large open-ice knee-on-knee hit.

So now with their top-pairing defenseman anticipated to be sidelined for the start of the common season, the Rangers discover themselves on the lookout for potential replacements on the opening evening roster.

Head coach Peter Laviolette mentioned that everybody is an choice in the mean time, and he didn’t rule out utilizing a right-handed defenseman on the left facet in an effort to place collectively the perfect defensive corps that they will.

With that being mentioned, listed below are some choices for the Rangers to think about…

Chad Ruhwedel

With Zac Jones all however locking up his spot as an everyday within the beginning lineup, Ruhwedel has lengthy been considered as one of many high candidates to function the workforce’s seventh defenseman to start the season.

The veteran stuffed that function down the stretch final yr, showing in simply 5 common season video games after being acquired for a future fourth-round choose in a commerce deadline take care of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Now that he’s re-signed with the membership and there is a chance for the taking, many would count on Ruhwedel to be one of many favorites to slip into the opening over the primary few video games of the season.

The 34-year-old isn’t a star by any means and he doesn’t convey a lot to the offensive zone, however he’s confirmed to be a dependable bottom-pairing depth defenseman all through his time in Pittsburgh.

He’s a righty, however has some expertise taking part in the left facet as nicely.

Ben Harpur

Harpur is a pure match being a left-handed defenseman, and he is likely one of the extra skilled choices in relation to the Blueshirts’ depth, having performed 198 video games on the professional degree.

The 29-year-old veteran first landed with the group two years in the past as he ended up turning an AHL skilled tryout down right into a contract extension with the big-league membership.

Harpur appeared in 21 consecutive video games that season as a part of the Rangers’ third defensive pairing earlier than finally dropping out on his function on the commerce deadline, and he hasn’t been capable of crack the professional ranks since.

New York opted to position him on waivers on Friday after he regarded rusty throughout his preseason debut towards the Isles, so it appears like he’ll be beginning the season again down in Hartford.

Victor Mancini

Mancini is a man who has been producing a ton of buzz for his standout play on each ends of the ice all through rookie camp and the primary few weeks of coaching camp and preseason motion.

When Laviolette known as for the children to point out him one thing throughout these tuneup video games, Mancini actually heard him, as he recorded a aim and an help in final weekend’s opener towards the Boston Bruins.

The veteran head coach mentioned he felt he performed a “actually sturdy sport” and that he’s been “actually noticeable” all through the practices and scrimmages that the workforce has held over the previous couple of weeks.

Mancini is a right-handed defenseman, however he has mentioned that he is snug taking part in on the alternative facet, and he is open to doing no matter it takes to assist the workforce.

He skated alongside Fox throughout Friday’s follow, maybe signaling that he is up there among the many favorites to slip into that spot to start the common season.

Connor Mackey

Mackey is one other left-handed choice for the Rangers to think about.

He spent the vast majority of final season skating within the AHL with Hartford, however the Rangers have been so impressed along with his play that they determined to convey him again on a two-year extension.

He did get into one sport on the NHL degree because the Blueshirts’ blueline was plagued with accidents, and he logged three blocked pictures and dropped the mitts with Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk throughout his 16 minutes of motion.

The yr prior, Mackey appeared in 30 video games with the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames.

The 28-year-old isn’t a star by any means and he gained’t contribute a lot on the offensive finish, however he’s a defenseman who might convey loads of measurement and physicality to the Rangers’ blueline.

He acquired his alternative to skate alongside Adam Fox throughout Thursday’s preseason sport, and whereas he struggled defensively, he showcased a few of that physicality by scrapping after a tricky hit within the nook.

Matthew Robertson

Robertson already got here into camp trying like a little bit of an extended shot for a backend of the roster spot and his probabilities have taken much more of successful, as he stays day-to-day with a lingering lower-body concern.

The 23-year-old was within the lineup for the preseason opener towards the Bruins, however his minutes have been very restricted because of the harm.

Robertson remains to be seeking to make his NHL debut having been handed over by the likes of Mackey and Brandon Scanlin when the Rangers have been in want of defensive replacements final season.

His inventory stays on a little bit of a downswing however the Rangers nonetheless determined to increase him the qualifying provide this offseason, earlier than they finally introduced him again on an inexpensive one-year deal.

Robertson completed with 4 objectives and 17 assists final season with Hartford.