The Rangers got to refresh for one more day Sunday following their 2-2 road trip. Beginning Tuesday, New York plays 23 games in 46 days. During that stretch, the team will face three back-to-backs with 14 of their last 23 contests at home, including the final three games of the season.
New York practiced Monday with Barclay Goodrow given a maintenance day. Goodrow will slot in for either Morgan Barron, Julien Gauthier or Ryan Reaves tomorrow. Reaves was a scratch the last game when the Blueshirts went with an 11F/7D alignment.
NYR practice lines:
Kreider - Zib - Laf Panarin - Strome - Hunt Barron - Chytil - Brodzinski Gauthier - McKegg - Reaves
Reinforcements are clearly needed. The tweet below indicates that both Kaapo Kakko and Kevin Rooney are out at least another week. Kakko has been sidelined since January 21, meaning that he will have missed at least two months if he is activated right after the trade deadline. But a wrist injury, especially if ligament or tendon related, could linger, making the return in a week or so a best case scenario. Rooney was injured March 2, so he will have missed three weeks. if he returns next week. With no clear indication as to what the injury is or the severity. the hope is next week, but like Kakko, who knows
Doesn’t sound like Kakko or Rooney are very close to returning. Gallant says it’s going to be at least a week until either gets back on the ice. #NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) March 14, 2022
The first trade domino finally dropped today. With a week to go until the deadline, it was crickets until today. Kevin Weekes broke news of the trade, making him a must follow if you weren’t already doing so.
**Breaking News**
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) March 14, 2022
â¦@AnaheimDucksâ© are trading Defenseman John Manson to â¦@Avalancheâ© for Defense Prospect Drew Helleson and a 2023 Draft Pick.
â¦@espnâ© â¦@NHLNetworkâ© #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/hMY8s2cd7C
Colorado was looking for defensive depth with Samuel Girard sidelined a month. In addition, Manson should be viewed as an upgrade over Erik Johnson, as he could end up on the second pair. The cost wasn’t cheap as Colorado surrendered a B tier prospect and a second rounder, with the latter likely impacted by the Ducks assuming half Manson’s salary. What this trade does indicate is that rental blueliners might not cost the first rounder that has been widely reported.
One key defenseman rumored to possibly be available who may now end up staying with his current team is Jakob Chychrun. The injury he suffered in Boston on Saturday will sideline him 2- 4 weeks. Any team who had interest in him may need to pump the brakes given the risks associated with acquiring a player who for we know could be sidelined longer. Arizona rightfully set a high return for Chychrun, but with that expectation comes the downside risk of a possible injury while you hold out for more.
With Anaheim in town, we get an up close and personal look at Rickard Rakell and Hampus Lindholm. Each or both would be fine additions. Rakell can play on the second or third line, at right wing or center, though he is dealing with an upper body injury that might sideline him. Lindholm can slot onto the second or third pair on the left side, depending on how coach Gerald Gallant wants to configure the D, providing depth and another PP point. One possible negative is that Lindholm is not used on the penalty kill, though that should be viewed as a precluding factor to acquire. Manson might have been a fit, but he plays the right - not left - side, an area that does have a material need. In both Rakell's and Lindholm's case, their availability depends on if the Ducks believe they can re-sign them, though reportedly no progress has been made in that regard for either.