With the availability of two blueliners in question for tonight’s game against Ottawa, the Rangers have brought up some insurance, announcing (Twitter link) the recall of defenseman Connor Mackey from AHL Hartford. New York had an open roster spot following yesterday’s assignment of Nick Bonino to the Wolf Pack.
The 27-year-old is in his first season with the Rangers after signing a one-year, two-way deal with them in free agency back in July. While this marks his seventh recall of the year already, Mackey has yet to get into an NHL game. Instead, he has only played in Hartford where he has been quieter than expected offensively with just eight points in 28 games. By comparison, Mackey had 36 points in 53 games with AHL Stockton in 2021-22 while he was on an NHL roster full-time last year.
The two defenders whose availability is in question are defensemen Ryan Lindgren and Jacob Trouba. Lindgren left last night’s loss to Vegas early with an upper-body injury while Trouba had a disciplinary hearing today, the outcome of which has not yet been announced. If those two aren’t available, Mackey should see his first NHL action of the season.