Rangers recall Victor Mancini, return Jake Leschyshyn to Hartford

Per the AHL Transactions page, the New York Rangers have recalled defenseman Victor Mancini. This seems a bit odd, as there were no announcements about an injury last night in Calgary. Most confusion was put to bed when Jake Leschyshyn was confirmed being returned to Hartford for Filip Chytil’s return, but we still aren’t too sure why Mancini was recalled.

While the hope is there’s a trade, that’s highly unlikely. We know Chytil will be back in for Jonny Brodzinski. We also know that Mancini, if recalled during a road trip, is likely to play in Edmonton. There are really only three scenarios that make sense:

1. Zac Jones sits for Mancini for…reasons? This is unlikely since Jones has been very good.
2. Chad Ruhwedel is, as Hope put it in the group chat, “pulling a Bonino.”
3. Someone else is hurt and/or getting scratched for performance related issues.

Option 1 seems unlikely. Option 2 also seems unlikely but we will know more at 2pm. Option 3 is the most likely option, and the smart money is on Ryan Lindgren being hurt again.