The Rangers returned to practice today. Below are updates on Vitali Kravtsov, Igor Shesterkin or Shestyorkin, depending on your preference, and the return of some of the walking wounded. New York practices again tomorrow in preparation of their game Saturday against the Panthers.

Vitali Kravtsov:

We woke up to this news (which if true, the plan has to be for him to go to Hartford on an ATO, rather than burn a year off his ELC, since that could impact if he would have to be protected in the expansion draft:

Vitali Kravtsov is going to join the #NYR when Traktor's season is over

— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) December 6, 2018

We went from good to concerned after seeing this possible knee-on-knee hit:

🙈💔💔@Kravtsov здоровья 🙏🏼😟 pic.twitter.com/irSddkfQGB

— Alena. (@AlenaaRUD) December 6, 2018

Fortunately the news proved to be better than expected, as the injury was reported as just a bruised hip and he traveled with the team. Of course, this presumes we believe the diagnosis and trust the Russian doctors. But initial signs are good after what looked to be a very scary injury:

Forward "Tractor" Vitaly Kravtsov sent to the location of the youth team of Russia.

Today, an 18-year-old player got a hip injury in a KHL championship match with Barys (1: 3).

“With Vitaly Kravtsov, everything is in order, well-being is good.

The hockey player is sent to the location of the youth national team of Russia, ”said the press service of the Chelyabinsk club.

Нападающий «Трактора» Виталий Кравцов отправляется в расположение молодежной сборной России.

Сегодня 18-летний игрок получил травму бедра в матче чемпионата КХЛ с «Барысом» (1:3).

«С Виталием Кравцовым все в порядке, самочувствие хорошее.

Хоккеист отправляется в расположение молодежной сборной России», – сообщили в пресс-службе челябинского клуба.

The numbers for Igor Shesterkin continue to amaze :

#NYR prospect Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves and earned a win today. He has posted a 14-3-0 record with a 1.30 GAA, a .947 SV%, and 5 SO in 17 KHL appearances this season. In his last 84 KHL appearances, he has posted a 69-9-3 record with a 1.59 GAA, a .938 SV%, and 20 SO.

— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) December 6, 2018

With Shesterkin in the system along with Alexandar Georgiev and Adam Huska, New York looks to be set in goal for the future. Granted Shesterkin still needs to come over to the US, which is no guarantee, but on paper, the Rangers look to be in a good position. This would potentially allow the Blueshirts to deal a goalie for future needs knowing the pipeline.

Practice updates :

This looks very much like a total experiment during a #NYR five-day break:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Fast
Vesey-Strome-Chytil
Andersson-Howden-Hayes
Namestnikov-Fogarty-Zuccarello
(Now, more normal...)
Staal-Pionk
Claesson-Shattenkirk
Skjei-DeAngelo
Smith-McQuaid

— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) December 6, 2018

Brendan Smith and Adam McQuaid in non-contact. Buchnevich and Namestnikov both in regular jerseys. #NYR

— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) December 6, 2018

I had tweeted this after the first tweet above came out.
"Hayes on wing, Strome as the 2c (oh boy). Andersson still on wing. Nam dropped from first to fourth line, joining Zucc, but both likely will move up. Blue line is more in line with expectations." The below tweets show that the lines were experimental, so don't put stock in them, along with status updates on Vladislav Namestnikov, Mats Zuccarello, Pavel Buchnevich, Brendan Smith, who is dealing with an upper-body injury, and Adam McQuaid.

Quinn also said that Buchnevich is not going to play this trip, but Namestnikov and Zuccarello are very close (and likely). #NYR

— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) December 6, 2018

Quinn said that Smith was dealing with an “upper-body” injury, but he should be full in practice tomorrow. Also, those forward lines were fully experimental. #NYR

— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) December 6, 2018

Matt Beleskey called back up :

OFFICIAL: #NYR have recalled forward Matt Beleskey from @WolfPackAHL. pic.twitter.com/OXyry2a4nc

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 6, 2018

Buchnevich is about a week away, so he should play next Friday against Arizona. Look for Nam and Zucc to be in the lineup against the Panthers. Do we see the below lines Saturday (or create your own mix-and-match):

Kreider-Zibanejad-Namestnikov
Vesey-Hayes-Chytil
Strome-Howden-Zuccarello
Fast-Andersson-Beleskey

Smith is expected to practice tomorrow but likely will sit for Skjei, who opts back in after sitting out Sunday against the Jets. He will be joined on the sidelines by McQuaid; not yet ready for game action. The D pairings should be Staal-Pionk, Claesson-Shattenkirk and Skjei-DeAngelo.

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