The injury bug has hit the New York Rangers hard to start this season. The first key player to go down was Vincent Trocheck during the Blue Shirts’ win over the Buffalo Sabres last Thursday.
Now, the next player to go down is blueliner Carson Soucy. He left Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins with an apparent upper-body injury. Soucy sustained an awkward fall during a collision with Penguins winger Rickard Rakell during the second period.
Soucy skated off the ice but did not return to the bench for the third period. The club later confirmed that Soucy would not be returning to the game.
The Rangers subsequently placed Soucy on IR on Sunday. He is day-to-day, but there’s no clarity on just how serious the injury could be. Coach Mike Sullivan stated following Saturday night’s game that Soucy was still under evaluation.
Perhaps there might be some more insight into Soucy’s injury on Monday. In the meantime, the Rangers recalled Connor Mackey from the AHL Hartford Wolfpack.
Mackey will likely hit the press box while Soucy is out. He might see action, though he’ll most assuredly play the seventh defenseman role as insurance in case anyone else needs time off.
The Rangers will have Monday off before hosting the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
Rangers Keep Morrow in AHL for Now
Rangers fans expressed mild surprise at seeing Connor Mackey called up instead of Scott Morrow. The 22-year-old blueliner came over in the K’Andre Miller trade this summer and looked like he had an inside track on a job this season.
However, Morrow was back with the Wolf Pack to start the season. Soucy’s injury would have opened the door for Morrow to join the big club. But the decision to leave Morrow in the AHL likely has to do with playing time.
The Rangers, at least not now, don’t see Morrow as an everyday defenseman. That’s why having him play top minutes in the AHL at the moment would be preferable to seeing him sit in the press box at the moment.
New York could also recall veteran Derrick Pouliot to fill in an emergency role. Beyond that, the Rangers are relatively thin on the blue line. The club’s overall depth could use a boost, particularly considering how injuries factor in during the season.
Blue Shirt May Target Blue Line Depth
The New York Rangers may target blue line depth sooner rather than later. Perhaps a trade may be on the horizon to acquire another depth defenseman.
While Soucy doesn’t figure to be out for long, the Rangers may not want to take any chances. Their 2-2 start hasn’t set off any alarms. They’re pretty much on track for a playoff spot, meaning that the need to address depth is there.
Fans shouldn’t be surprised to hear about the Rangers either making a waiver claim or potentially making a minor trade to acquire another defenseman or two, just in case there’s a future need.
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