New York Rangers News
Panarin left Tuesday's preseason game with a lower-body injury, the second preseason game he's left this month. At the moment the Rangers are calling Panarin day-to-day but it's unclear if he'll be available for their season opener next Wednesday.
Panarin left Tuesday's game in the first period and the Rangers announced that he will not return. This is the second time in a week that Panarin has departed a game with a lower-body injury. It's unclear if it's the same ailment or not, but expect more details from the Rangers as the season gets closer.
New York will be without one of their key bottom-six forwards to start the season after it was announced Jimmy Vesey injured his lower body in practice and would be out week-to-week. The 31-year-old is entering his third season in New York after joining on a PTO in 2022-23 and put up an impressive 13 goals, 26 points, 20 PIMs and 116 SOG in 80 games played in 2023-24.
Panarin left Tuesday's preseason game vs. the New York Islanders with a lower-body injury but will only be out day-to-day as he attempts to return in time for the Rangers' season opener on October 9th. The Rangers are hoping their star left-winger will be able to give them 82 games played for a third straight season after finishing third in the NHL in points in 2023-24 with 49 goals and 120 points in 82 games played.
New York will be without one of their top defensemen for the start of the regular season after it was announced on Wednesday that Ryan Lindgren is expected to be out for a few weeks with an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old was a cog on New York's back end last season after putting up three goals, 17 points and a +22 plus/minus in 76 games played.
The final arbitration contract in the NHL was figured out on Tuesday as Ryan Lindgren and the New York Rangers agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract extension. The 26-year-old dfensemen is entering his seventh NHL seasn with New York and had three goals, 17 points, 36 PIMs and a +22 plus/minus in 76 games played in 2023-24.
Robertson has yet to make his NHL debut but has spent three successful seasons on Hartford's (AHL) blueline and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with New York on Monday.The 23-year-old was New York's 2019 2nd round pick (49th overall) and had four goals and 21 points in 68 games played in 2023-24 with Hartford.
Schneider has become a reliable second/third-pairing defenseman for the Rangers of the last two seasons, appearing in all but one game while posting 10 goals and 27 assists (37 points) and a plus-8 rating. Following the completion of his entry-level contract, his $2.2M AAV cap-hit represents a $1.275M AAV raise for Schneider.
Ruhwedel was acquired by the Rangers from Pittsburgh at last year's trade deadline but only appeared in five games and still earned himself a one-year contract extension. The 34-year-old is entering his 13th NHL season and had a goal and four points in 52 games between Pittsburgh and New York in 2023-24.
Groulx was a second-round pick of the Ducks in 2018 and appeared in 68 games with them over the last three seasons. Last year, he was a fringe NHLer, playing in 45 of the 82 games and picked up just two assists. Given the depth in New York, expect Groulx to start 2025 in Hartford (AHL).
Fitzgerald was a third-round pick of the Sabres in 2016 and was claimed off waivers by the Panthers in 2023 and played just four NHL games with the club. He spent all of last year in the AHL, collecting 21 points (4G / 17A) in 69 games. He'll almost certainly start 2025 in the AHL.
Vaakanainen will return to Anaheim for a fourth season after the 25-year-old signed a one-year contract extension to remain a Duck on Monday. The stay-at-home defenseman scored his first career NHL goal in 2023-24 after five previous seasons and ended with a career-high 14 points in 68 games played.
Smith will find himself on a third different team for the third straight year after he was acquired from the Penguins for a 2027 2nd Round Pick and a conditional 2025 5th Round Pick. The 33-year-old is entering his 14th NHL season and had 13 goals, 40 points, and 18 PIMs in 76 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24.
Carrick is a fourth-line penalty killing centre who will help replace Barclay Goodrow in New York. He won't provide a lot of offence but scored double-digit goals for the second time in his career this past season.
Carrick replaced Derek Ryan in the lineup in Game 5, but it looks like Ryan could be back in for him in Game 6. Carrick remained on the ice with the scratches during Sunday's morning skate, an indication that he's coming out of the lineup, although no changes were confirmed by head coach Kris Knoblauch.