New York Rangers announce two more major injuries following Igor Shesterkin news
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The New York Rangers are dealing with more bad injury news, and it reaches well beyond one position.
The club announced that goaltender Joonas Korpisalo will miss another four weeks, while forward Joe Veleno is expected to be out for three months.
Both players arrived as part of the offseason retool. New York acquired Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins on the opening day of free agency, sending Kalle Väisänen and a 2028 fourth-round pick the other way.
Veleno signed a one-year deal to fill the fourth-line center spot. Neither has had much chance to settle in.
Korpisalo's Absence Tests the Crease
Korpisalo went on injured reserve on Oct. 1 with a lower-body injury and was listed as week-to-week, right as he was set to make his Rangers debut. Another four weeks stretches that timeline further.
With Igor Shesterkin out for the season, goaltending depth is being tested far earlier than anyone planned, and every game now raises questions about who can deliver steady goaltending night after night.
Veleno's Absence Thins the Bottom Six
Veleno's three-month timeline may be the bigger long-term blow. He was brought in for speed and responsible defensive play, traits the Rangers had been missing in their bottom six.
Losing him pushes his return toward the new year and forces the coaching staff to shuffle its center depth, asking other forwards to absorb tougher minutes.
The timing adds to the frustration. The Rangers entered the season hoping their roster changes would bring balance and stability, yet injuries have already forced the lineup into constant adjustment.
Depth players who expected limited roles now face real opportunities, and the organization will lean heavily on its prospects and call-ups to keep the team competitive in the early going.
If the injuries keep piling up, management may have to consider outside help, whether through waivers or the trade market. For now, the Rangers have to find a way to stay afloat while both players work their way back, and fans will be watching closely to see how the roster responds.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Elliotte Friedman confirms the worst for Igor Shesterkin: He's done for the year
Elliotte Friedman confirms the worst for Igor Shesterkin: He's done for the year