Update on injuries for the New York Rangers: Igor Shesterkin practices, Chris Kreider is placed on IR
Regarding injuries, the New York Rangers had both good and bad news on Tuesday.
Positively, Igor Skesterkin took part in the morning skate before Madison Square Garden’s home game against the Dallas Stars. Shesterkin is still on injured reserve due to an upper-body problem, at least for the time being. If he is well enough to dress on Tuesday, he can leave IR.
“His presence is fantastic. He’s in the IR. Following the skate, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette only stated, “It’s great that he’s on the ice.”
On the other hand, Chris Kreider was placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body ailment. That goes back to Sunday, when he was benched during the team’s 6-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kreider talked candidly about coping with a debilitating back condition and missed games early in the season. It’s unclear if this is still his problem. With 13 goals, Kreider is three goals behind Rangers captain Artemi Panarin (16). With five goals each from power plays, they are tied for the Rangers lead.
Before being benched on Sunday, the 33-year-old had a three-game point streak (two goals, one assist) and had just come alive. He is just one power-play goal away from matching Camille Henry as the Rangers’ all-time leader with 116.
Along with his health issues and on-ice difficulties, Kreider has also had to contend with trade rumors because Rangers general manager Chris Drury disclosed his name to other clubs in a memo indicating his availability.
In the first period, Jonny Brodzinski tied the score at 1-1 after replacing Kreider in the lineup and scoring his third goal against the Blackhawks.
After the morning skate, coach Peter Laviolette stated that he decided to continue with Sunday’s lineup because that group performed so well in Chicago, and the Rangers decided not to add Arthur Kaliyev to the lineup against the Stars. The 23-year-old forward took part in the morning skate after the Rangers got him off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.
Kaliyev has a lot of experience with injuries. He broke his clavicle during training camp, therefore he hasn’t participated in an NHL game this season. During a conditioning stint, he participated in five AHL games and recorded one goal and one assist.
Kaliyev, a 2021–22 rookie who was selected in the second round (No. 33) at the 2019 NHL Draft, scored 14 goals. However, in 51 games last season, he only managed 15 points (seven goals, eight assists).
In order to serve the last game of his eight-game suspension for boarding and elbowing Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen on December 20, the Rangers also brought up Matt Rempe from Hartford, which is in the American Hockey League, on Tuesday. Rempe would then be able to play against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
