With a couple of days off prior to their first game after the All-Star break, the New York Rangers hit the ice for practice Tuesday afternoon.
The New York Rangers returned to the practice rink Tuesday afternoon as they get set to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night.
Holland and DeAngelo back from AHL to rejoin Rangers but Lettieri remains in Hartford. McLeod apparently has taken his spot. #ComeOn
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) January 30, 2018
Following the Blueshirts final game prior to the All-Star break, they sent Peter Holland, Vinni Lettieri, and Tony DeAngelo to the HartfoWolfold Pack. The goal was to allow all three players to keep playing so they wouldn’t be rusty when returning to action with the Rangers.
As practice began the team announced that DeAngelo and Holland have rejoined the club. DeAngelo has been filling in for the injured Kevin Shattenkirk while Holland has become the teams fourth-line center.
The one player that did not return from Hartford was Lettieri. This is no real surprise as head coach Alain Vigneault is probably looking for a veteran presence with the club struggling. Lettieri showed a ton of potential, but he will have to wait a little longer for a legitimate chance.
Cody McLeod Officially Joins the Club
“Bring some energy and the physical part and … whatever I can do to help the team.” Forward Cody McLeod practiced Tuesday and is expected to make his #NYR debut Thursday against Toronto. https://t.co/ulsBnnbkR4 pic.twitter.com/6mnbdZ2aR7
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 30, 2018
Prior to the All-Star break, the Rangers claimed veteran Cody McLeod off waivers from the Nashville Predators.
McLeod will most likely serve as a fourth line player but he brings this team a productive component that they have been missing all year, as he registered 445 hits in a 165 game span between 2015 and this year. With the departure of Tanner Glass, this has been an element New York haven’t had in their game this year.
It is clear that Alain Vigneault wants to see what he can get from the 33-year-old veteran. He knows that this team has been soft and pushed around, especially on their West Coast trip. Whether or not McLeod makes a difference is yet to be determined.
Other Rangers News
- ESNY’s Frank Curto explains why January was a month to forget for the Rangers.
- I look at the pros and cons of Henrik Lundqvist staying on board during a potential Blueshirt rebuild.
- Blueshirt Banter’s Mike Murphy looks at the success of Michael Grabner.
