New York Rangers: Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich both cleared to return to practice
The struggling New York Rangers had two of their top forwards return to practice from long-term injuries on Wednesday.
The New York Rangers had to be relieved to see forward Chris Kreider back on the ice on Wednesday and receive word that Pavel Buchnevich will return on Friday. Both of these names are names we as Rangers fans have been desperately longing for in this very tough stretch of the season filled with injuries and uncertainty.
Kreider has been out since the December 29 game against the Detroit Red Wings with a blood clot and Buchnevich since getting a concussion with an elbow to the jaw in the February 1 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Rangers might as well call themselves the Hartford Wolfpack (AHL affiliate) as of recent as they currently have seven players out due to injury. Having two of their most offensively gifted players return would be a major step back in the right direction.
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Kreider had part of his rib removed in surgery in early January. If he is able to return in the next couple of weeks it would be way ahead of schedule in terms of when we expected him back. He left with 22 points on the season and is arguably the best power forward on the Rangers. Buchnevich will have a timeline to return once he skates on Friday after tonight’s game against the New York Islanders. He currently sits at number three in points scored on the team and given the Rangers’ offensive struggles, his shooting abilities and value on the top power play unit is much-needed.
The Rangers picked up two wins after the letter from the front office about changes was released. In doing so they lost two more players in backup goaltender Ondrej Pavelec and defenseman Steve Kampfer.
Following the two wins, the Rangers dropped a tough one on Tuesday night to the Minnesota Wild 3-2 that now puts them four points out of a playoff spot.
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Head coach Alain Vigneault has said he is still focused on winning games and pushing for the playoffs regardless of what management plans on doing. I see both Kreider and Buchnevich on the Rangers’ untouchable list for the coming February 26. trade deadline given they are both young and effective. Although the Rangers are on thin ice right now, a return from two of the most offensively potent players would be in any Rangers fan’s best interest.