Adam Edström’s injury creates a gap in the Rangers’ lineup. Will the team turn to a promising AHL talent or prioritize a more stable option? Here’s what to anticipate.
Rookie Adam Edström will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering an injury in Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins.
Adam Edström has been a valuable presence in the Rangers’ bottom six, contributing five goals and four assists in 51 games while averaging 9:16 of ice time. At 6’6″ and 241 pounds, he brought a strong, physical presence while maintaining discipline on the ice. His injury is a tough loss, but the Rangers have several options to fill his spot.
One approach is to maintain the current lineup leading into the Four Nations Faceoff break. Jimmy Vesey had been out since January 11 before re-entering the lineup against Vegas, and with the team playing well, Peter Laviolette may opt to keep things steady.
Another possibility is giving Arthur Kaliyev more opportunities, as the Rangers need to fully evaluate him. He has shown promise in limited action and could be part of the team’s future plans.
However, a strong case can also be made for Brennan Othmann. He has been on a hot streak with five goals in his last six games for the Hartford Wolf Pack. Despite injuries limiting him to 20 games this season, he has posted an impressive 8-6-14 stat line. If recalled, he could slot into the third line, potentially allowing Mika Zibanejad to shift back to center and leading to a scratch for Jonny Brodzinski or Matt Rempe.
The most likely scenario is that the Rangers stick with the current group and let Othmann continue to build confidence in Hartford. If he keeps producing, he could force his way into the lineup soon.
Ultimately, losing Edström is unfortunate, but it presents an opportunity for others to step up. Hopefully, he recovers quickly, and the players on the bubble make the most of their chance.
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