The schedule for this week is still up in the air. The Rangers are supposed to play the Devils tomorrow and the Flyers on Thursday. But both teams are in COVID protocol. A lot can happen between now and tomorrow for the Devils, and now and Thursday for the Flyers. However there is a non-zero percent chance that both games get postponed.
Postponed games are rough for the fans, since I could really go for more Rangers hockey right now. It’s also a bit rough for the team as the schedule keeps changing. However there are positives. The Rangers are dealing with some injuries to significant players. They are also using shrewd taxi squad assignments to accrue cap space. Extended time off helps the Rangers in both the injuries and cap space departments.
Injuries
The Rangers are dealing with injuries to Artemi Panarin, who skated today, and Filip Chytil. While Chytil is still a ways away, Panarin’s injury didn’t seem to be that serious. The more time the Rangers have between games, the sooner they get back to full strength up front.
There are also some minor injuries on the blue line. Specifically Brendan Smith, who has been out for a little over a week now. He practiced in full today with Jacob Trouba, so he might be closer to being back. That said, another four days between games would benefit him. He’s certainly a better option on the bottom pair than what the Rangers are deploying currently.
K’Andre Miller is also day-to-day now, which would be another blow to the Ranges defense.
Cap Space
As mentioned, the Rangers are accruing cap space for *something* by sending their ELC players to the taxi squad. This connection is simple, as the Rangers would simply accrue more cap space sooner with less games earlier on. Whether this means a trade or a recall of Morgan Barron (or Tarmo Reunanen), we shall see.
The Rangers would likely make a bunch of moves on a daily basis here so as not to hurt one or two players more than others. Remember these kids lose real money in their paychecks as the Rangers play their cap games. Right now it’s Kaapo Kakko and Igor Shesterkin assigned to the taxi squad. K’Andre Miller and Alexis Lafreniere have had some time on the taxi squad as well. Ryan Lindgren, for the time being, is also waivers exempt.
It’s tough to find positives in more postponements, but time for injuries to heal and cap space are at least two positive for the Rangers.
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