Rangers injury depth is a major problem

The Rangers have been very lucky to start the season. While they’ve had injuries, they haven’t had any major injuries that would keep someone out for an extended period of time. The Rangers injury depth, as we’ve seen, has been a major issue for the Rangers. Most of their injuries have been of the bumps and bruises sort, and that likely isn’t going to last. It will become a problem.

What we’ve seen so far with these injuries is Greg McKegg getting a call up. Morgan Barron was here for a hot second as well, but McKegg seems to be the guy for now. When it comes to managing multiple injuries, the Rangers are going to McKegg first up front, and Jarred Tinordi on defense. Suffice it to say, that simply isn’t good enough.

Defense Depth

I had mentioned at the end of September that the Rangers likely had some concerns here, and the replies were as expected. Yet here we are, seeing Jarred Tinordi get 30% of the games. Libor Hajek is next in line, and he can’t even beat out Tinordi for a spot.

Exacerbating this concern is that, as of now, the big name kids that could be a longer term call up aren’t dominating Hartford. Zac Jones and Braden Schneider have been solid, but not eye popping. Both would certainly benefit from a full season in Hartford, instead of being yo-yo’d.

So as of now, it’s Tinordi or Hajek, or maybe Anthony Bitetto if the Rangers get really desperate. That’s a problem.

Forward Depth

Forward depth isn’t much better. There are no options at center beyond McKegg, unless Barron is going to get a longer term call up. There are fewer answers at RW, as that positional depth was gutted and there seems to be a reluctance to give Julien Gauthier more ice time. As of now, their 13F/14F are Gauthier and McKegg.

Barron and possibly Lauri Pajuniemi are the only options in Hartford. Barron was not good in his two game cuppa, Pajuniemi is scoring, and he’d be another lethal RH shot on the powerplay, but he needs more time as well.

Gauthier and McKegg – that’s it. Also not good. What if the Rangers have a long term injury, which statistically is bound to happen at some point this year? Are they really going to trot out McKegg at center for a month? Are they really going to have Barclay Goodrow center the third line?

Rangers injury depth is video game quality

I’m sure most can relate to building a roster in NHL 21 or whatever NHL game you’ve played in the past. Focus on the top-18 players, and figure it out from there. That’s not how it’s done in the real world, but it’s a video game. You can swing a trade whenever you want.

That may sound harsh, and I’ve been extremely harsh on Chris Drury –for good reason– lately. I still trust that this team will be better, and that there is some sort of plan. However expecting some combination of –in talent order– Gauthier, McKegg, Tinordi, and Hajek to be your injury depth is a miss on him, and it is reminding me of how I built rosters in Be A GM mode.

Drury is not looking good in his first few months as President and GM of the Rangers, and the depth shows how much more he has to learn. That’s fine, no one is perfect, and making mistakes is how you grow in a role. However if they are to win now, then the Rangers injury depth needs to be addressed. They need a serviceable 14F and 7D/8D that aren’t below-replacement players.