The New York Rangers received some bad news Wednesday morning as Matt Beleskey suffered a separated shoulder and could be sidelined for up to a month.
New York Rangers forward Matt Beleskey suffered a separated shoulder in a game on Monday night against the New Jersey Devils and could be out of action for up to a month.
#NYR injury update: Matt Beleskey will be sidelined for two-to-four weeks with a shoulder separation.
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) September 26, 2018
Beleskey suffered the injury in a fight with the Devils’ Eric Gryba in their overtime win at Madison Square Garden. This is now the second game in which Gryba has been involved with a Rangers player that resulted in an injury for the Blueshirts.
Last week, when the Rangers visited the Devils, Gryba was involved in a hit to the head that knocked center Boo Nieves out of the game. There was no penalty called on the play and Nieves has not seen the ice since. Currently, he is in the NHL’s concussion protocol.
Beleskey was having a good camp with the team as he was battling for one of the fourth line spots with the Rangers. The forward was acquired by the Rangers along with Ryan Spooner and Ryan Lindgren in a trade with Boston sending Rick Nash to the Bruins in return last February.
He scored a goal for the Blueshirts last Wednesday night when the team played in a 6-4 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers.
What a play by @bssmith7 to set up @Matt_Beleskey for the #NYR ? pic.twitter.com/hS7BRECHSh
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 20, 2018
The unfortunate news for Belesky opens the door for another Ranger.
Vinni Lettieri, who has been on the bubble to make the team, has had a very strong preseason. The remaining two preseason game could give him an opportunity to grab one of the final spots on the roster.
The Rangers will take on the New York Islanders on Wednesday night at the Garden and the will conclude the preseason schedule on Thursday night in Philadelphia.
