Jake Leschyshyn claim by NY Rangers impacts injury and recall depth

He may be a 14F at the NHL level at the moment, but the Jake Leschyshyn claim by the NY Rangers actually has more of an impact down the depth charts than it appears. The Rangers claimed Leschyshyn yesterday, and for the most part the questions weren’t about who he’d replace, but more about “why?” And for good reason, mind you.

It’s unlikely Leschyshyn has a steady role with the Rangers, at least for now. He’s simply not good at the NHL level, but he’s also 23 years old and cheap, so it’s not like the Rangers are put in a bind. Plus the Leschyshyn claim may make sense if he eventually goes to the AHL, as he was close to a point per player in the AHL last season as a 22 year old.

What the Leschyshyn claim does impact is the recall order and depth should there be injuries on the Rangers. Johnny Brodzinski has been solid for the Rangers, and actually has some solid defensive metrics, so it is unlikely he will be moved off the fourth line, even if Leschyshyn is a center.

The most logical NHL impact of the Leschyshyn claim would be moving Sammy Blais off the fourth line and likely back to the press box. Neither are good, mind you, but with similar on-ice impacts, as long as Leschyshyn can skate, he may be a better fit. Blais has been a drag, and it’s unfortunate that it appears his knee injury has hampered him. Who knows, maybe Leschyshyn will be an upgrade on Blais? Systems matter, of course.

Leschyshyn claim has more impact in Hartford

While the Leschyshyn claim is likely to have minimal impact in New York, it sends messages to Hartford. First and foremost, the Ryan Carpenter era in New York has come to a close. The Leschyshyn claim ensures Carpenter is now behind at least Brodzinski, Leschyshyn, and possibly Gustav Rydahl on the depth chart. It was a good low risk signing that simply didn’t work out.

What is interesting is that Leschyshyn appears to be ahead of Rydahl on the depth chart as well, at least for now. What is more interesting is that Rydahl was a healthy scratch for Hartford last night. He may get recalled at some point, but until we hear that news, Leschyshyn is ahead of him. Since Rydahl has been a healthy scratch, isn’t putting up points in Hartford, and hasn’t been recalled at all aside from an emergency need last week, it looks like he’s moving down the depth chart too.

That may irk some people, as Rydahl had a strong camp. But to pose a question: Is it better to get a 23 year old who has put up points in the AHL and was a 2nd round pick a good look? Or should the Rangers stick with the 28 year old who has 4 goals and 9 points in 25 AHL games. He’s tied for 12th in scoring on the Wolf Pack, having finally caught up to the aforementioned Brodzinski.

In the end, Leschyshyn is a 14F for now, and may eventually become a 4C. This is a low risk move, and perhaps it means the Rangers don’t need to surrender an asset for Tyler Motte. Or perhaps it means the Rangers are finally parting ways with Blais to free up more cap space. It’s a risk free move that doesn’t impact anyone at the top of the lineup, and that’s always a fine move to make.