Ryan Lindgren participated in a full practice for the first time since injuring himself in a fight during an exhibition match in September. However, he remains on injured reserve and it is uncertain if he will be available for the Rangers’ upcoming three-game road trip. Head coach Peter Laviolette mentioned that Lindgren is still listed in the same way and the team will stay with that designation until further notice.
Once Lindgren is cleared to play, the Rangers will have to make some decisions regarding their defensemen. This includes determining if they will keep the K’Andre Miller-Adam Fox first pair or go back to the previous Lindgren-Fox duo. There are also questions about where players like Schneider and Jones will fit in the lineup once Lindgren returns. The Rangers will also have to send a defenseman down to AHL Hartford when Lindgren is back, and Ruhwedel is a likely candidate since he would need waivers to go to the AHL while Mancini would not.
Mancini has earned his spot on the NHL roster, but the Rangers will need to ensure that he is not a chronic scratch in order to continue his development. It may be beneficial for Mancini to get more playing time with the AHL team rather than sitting out games as a healthy scratch. The Rangers will have to manage the lineup carefully to ensure that all of their defensemen are getting adequate playing time and development opportunities.
Jonathan Quick is expected to start at least one of the first two games of the Rangers’ upcoming road trip. Quick provided solid goaltending for the team in a previous game when he relieved Igor Shesterkin and shutout the opposing team. The Rangers will have to rely on Quick’s experience and skills in order to secure wins on the road and continue their success early in the season.
Chris Kreider was unable to practice due to illness but still traveled with the team to Detroit. Will Cuylle took Kreider’s spot on the power play unit during practice. The Rangers will need to ensure that Kreider is healthy and ready to contribute before putting him back in the lineup, while allowing younger players like Cuylle the opportunity to showcase their abilities on special teams.
