The hits keep coming for the New York Rangers, as the team announced today that Steven Kampfer would be out four to six weeks with a broken hand. Kampfer had recently been given more responsibility on the blue line for New York, logging a season-high 22:39 of ice time last night against the Winnipeg Jets. The team has recalled defenseman Ryan Sproul to fill the roster spot.
Kampfer, 29, was acquired by the Rangers last season in exchange for failed top prospect Dylan McIlrath. The team finally moved on from McIlrath, the 10th-overall pick from 2010, after recording just four points in 38 career NHL games. In Kampfer the team acquired a journeyman of sorts, that has now played 166 NHL games split between four franchises. Though he doesn’t offer much offensively, the team was just looking for anyone who could handle himself in the defensive end.
The Rangers are trying to add speed and youth to their team, and this will certainly give them another opportunity. While Brady Skjei has already proven himself at the NHL level, Neal Pionk and John Gilmour are still trying to show they have what it takes to be part of the future in New York. With Kampfer out for a good chunk of the rest of the season, there is even more ice time to go around.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Rangers ever have to go through something like this