Following two days, the Rangers returned to practice Monday. While Artemi Panarin was on the ice, he did not practice with the team and is highly doubtful to play tomorrow against New Jersey. K'Andre Miller sat out practice with an upper-body injury and is questionable to suit up. Igor Shesterkin, who has posted at least a .930 save percentage each of the past four games, will be between the pipes again.
Artemi Panarin skated this morning on his own, but that's not an indication that the Rangers forward will be back tomorrow against the Devils. That decision will be made tomorrow morning. Same for D K'Andre Miller, who is dealing with an upper-body injury.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) February 15, 2021
Unless Panarin feels really good tomorrow morning “there is zero chance he will play.… Quinn
— Leslie Treff (@HFNYRangers) February 15, 2021
With Miller out, the defensive pairs in practice were: Lindgren - Fox Smith - Trouba Hà¡jek - Bitetto
Brendan Smith was sidelined with an upper-body injury but is good to go and would play if Miller is sidelined. Coach David Quinn noted that Jack Johnson, out almost three weeks with a mild groin strain, is close to being able to practice. Once he is back. I would rather see Hajek remain in the lineup. In addition, if Tarmo Reunanen continues to progress at Hartford, he should get a look see in the lineup first.
K'Andre Miller's play has been a highlight for the New York Rangers early this season. Here's a breakdown of his game & how he's already building on his skills at the NHL level for @TheAthleticNYC #NYR https://t.co/3iwSOiQdev pic.twitter.com/iSUDQ0K9TD
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) February 12, 2021
The Rangers have been playing the taxi squad game, sending eligible players down after games to create additional cap space, which also right now is being augmented by the savings on Tony DeAngelo's contract. If ADA sits the whole year, I believe New York would save $1.075 mil less the fraction of the games he already played. How that cap space is used remains to be seen. Right now, they could call up Reunanen by sending someone else down. But, eventually, they could be a point where Reunanen and Morgan Barron, playing wing in the minors, are both up. The Blueshirts also could parlay that cap space into a trade acquisition, if they opt to go that route.