With any team’s end-of-season media availability, especially after a long run in the Stanley Cup playoffs, a slew of injuries are typically revealed to the public. During the media availability for the New York Rangers, injuries were reported for defensemen Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba, while the injury keeping Jimmy Vesey out of the Eastern Conference Finals was brought to light.
In the team’s Round One series against the Washington Capitals, Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today reports Fox reaggravated his knee injury during a knee-on-knee collision with Capitals’ defenseman Nick Jensen. After only one month into the 2023-24 NHL season, Fox was placed on the Rangers’ long-term injured reserve due to a knee injury, keeping him out of the lineup from November 2nd to November 29th. The change in play was noticeable, as Fox only tallied six assists in 12 games following the series against Washington, a stark dropoff compared to his previous postseason play.
Staying on the blue line, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported that defenseman and captain Jacob Trouba dealt with a broken ankle. However, later reports suggested that the fractured ankle fully healed by the end of March, and Trouba was largely healthy for New York’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Still, Trouba set a career-high in postseason points with seven in 16 games but still led the team with 22 PIMs during the playoffs.
Lastly, Dan Rosen of the NHL mentions that Vesey was dealing with a separated shoulder during the penultimate series which would keep him out of the lineup. Thankfully, the report suggests that Vesey will not require surgery to repair his shoulder, and should return after a few weeks of rehab.
Other Rangers notes:
- Playing on a team not named the Winnipeg Jets for the first time in 12 years, the 2023-24 NHL season may have been the last for forward Blake Wheeler. Mercogliano of USA Today relayed that a decision regarding his future has not been made, but he will talk it through with his family this summer. It would not be surprising to see Wheeler hang up his skates, as the soon-to-be 38-year-old veteran suffered a gruesome leg injury on February 15th against the Montreal Canadiens — an injury that would keep him off the ice for nearly four months.
- Peter Baugh of The Athletic reported that Alexander Wennberg would like to return to the team this offseason after being acquired by the Rangers at this year’s trade deadline. Wennberg was originally acquired from the Seattle Kraken for New York’s second-round pick in 2024 and Dallas’ fourth-round pick in 2025. Brought in to fill the void in the team’s third-line center position, Wennberg put up two points in 16 postseason games for the Rangers while averaging nearly 16 and a half minutes of ice time.
No pity for Trouba
I would have rooted for them over FLA but for Trouba. Maybe even to win it all.
Glad his cheap shots weren’t rewarded for once.
Everyone hates Trouba unless he is one your team. Took too many penalties but he wasn’t why the Rangers lost (another conversation). Even with a lack of scoring Weinberg was effective. He was an expensive acquisition but could be the 3rd line Center the team needs – good at face offs and has speed. I would keep him and look for a REAL first line Right Wing
Intersting, he sucked at faceoffs in Seattle
@Jamesz 2 — He’s sucked on faceoffs everywhere.
Chytil? Weinberg is gone.
Wennberg and Roslovic were both bad fits. Time to not only make some changes around the edges but probably to the core. Also, if Gustafsson is back on this team next season, Drury has learned nothing. Terrible penalties and giveaways all postseason. Either give Zac Jones a real chance or move him and bring in a defensively sound crease clearer for Igor.
Wennberg stinks
We gave up 2 picks for Wennberg ??
Horrendous!!!
@bigcat20 — It’s a second (2024), and a fifth (2025), but given his sub-pedestrian stats, that was an overpay. And, he’s never been above water on faceoffs in his career. Only one playoff year in CBJ did he manage 50%.
A second and a fifth is basically what Carolina gave up for Guentzel
Moving Trouba would be a target of mine in the offseason and get some cap relief. Schneider up and have Jones play with Gustaf. Call up the kids – Perrault specifically. Put him on the top line and have Kakko and Othmann play with Chytil. 4th line gets stronger with Goodrow, Vessey and Cuylle. Got Rempe for rotational relief and east division rivals.
Two things knocked the Rangers out: conditioning and few PP opportunities. Florida got them. Rangers need to learn how to play 5v5 and get that cardio and legs to the next level. Laffy and Trochek seemed to be the only two skating.