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Pavel Buchnevich out 4-to-6 weeks with a broken thumb |
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News broke Monday morning and clearly not the good kind.
After sitting for two games as a healthy scratch and struggling offensively prior to that benching, Buchnevich looked like a different player the past three games. Buch notched a goal and an assist Saturday prior to getting injured and appeared to have unlocked whatever was holding him back in the past to embrace coach David Quinn's system. His absence leaves a big hole in the New York lineup.
Buchnevich had been skating on a line with Vladislav Namestnikov and Mika Zibanejad. With Buch sidelined, if Mats Zuccarello is ready to return from his groin injury, he could slot onto that line in place of Buch. In addition, Quinn could move Chris Kreider up to that line, sliding Zucc onto the second line, which right now has Lias Andersson at wing. The only line that should remain intact is the Vesey-Howden-Fast trio. To replace Buch, Steven Fogarty should get a call up and play on the fourth line, where he could play the pivot if needed.
But of Quinn really wants to be true to what he said, then move Filip Chytil up to the first line in place of Buch, or if don't want to put that much pressure on the kid, have him skate with Kreider and Hayes, presuming Kreider isn't moved up and Zucc slots into that slot. The other option is to move Andersson up, though unsure he is best placed on the top trio. Have to feel awful for Buchnevich, who looked to have turned the corner, and the Blueshirts' offense as a whole. The blender will be out in full effect now as Quinn tries to find the right line combinations.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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