New York Rangers Chris Kreider
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images

During Wednesday night’s hockey game against the Capitals, New York Rangers Chris Kreider left the game in the first period. Speculation ran from an undisclosed upper-body injury to trade rumors. The organization released a statement this morning about his status.

New York Rangers Chris Kreider has been diagnosed with a blood clot in his right arm and will be out indefinitely. The 26-year-old is tied for second with 11 goals overall. He also has five power play goals for the year.

Last season Kreider established career-highs with 28 goals and 53 points. He scored 21 or more goals each of the last three seasons. This season he has played predominantly with Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich.

Steve Zipay tweeted that Kreider had some swelling in the arm before the game, doctors checked it but when the condition worsened, he was sent to the hospital where the clot was discovered, per Alain Vigneault.

Kreider will need further medical tests completed before the team knows the full extent of the injury. It is speculated that he would be out for at least the next six to eight weeks. This is the second major injury to hit the team as Jesper Fast was injured in a game last week against the New Jersey Devils. The quad injury Fast suffered will keep Fast out of the lineup approximately three weeks.

With the Rangers being down two men, the organization recalled Vinni Lettieri from the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack. The 22-year-old has skated in 31 games this season in Hartford. recording 12 goals with nine assists for 21 points.

Lettieri was at the Rangers’ practice facility in Westchester for this morning’s practice. He wore number 95 and skated on a line with Boo Nieves at center and Paul Carey on the left wing. Lettieri also had some time on the second power play unit alongside Ryan McDonagh on the point.

He will be in the lineup tomorrow night when the Rangers visit the Red Wings in Detroit.

A graduate of St. John's University class of '91. I have been a fan of the New York Rangers since the days of Peter Puck. Founder of Ranger Proud, the Facebook page that covers all news, notes, pre /post-game stats, and player quotes. I can be reached at [email protected]