The Rangers’ preseason opener turned rough for Adam Sykora early, and it may have slammed the door on his push for an opening-night job.
Less than halfway through the first period against the Devils, Sykora went down after taking a hard hit in the corner of the New York zone from New Jersey rookie Mikael Diotte. Diotte’s elbow appeared to catch Sykora in the jaw, but the bigger problem came when the Rangers forward hit the ice awkwardly. His right leg seemed to buckle, and he was clearly in immediate pain.
Anton Blidh, who has skated with Sykora for the past four seasons in Hartford of the American Hockey League, helped the 22-year-old off the Prudential Center ice. Sykora went straight to the dressing room, and the Rangers later ruled him out early in the second period with a lower-body injury.
Sykora had opened the game on a line with Juuso Parssinen and Justin Dowling, but his night ended after just 2:49 of ice time.
The injury comes at a tough time for a player already fighting uphill for a roster spot. New York’s offseason work strengthened the forward group, especially in the bottom six, and the addition of Eeli Tolvanen shortly before camp effectively left one opening in the lineup - the fourth line spot alongside Tye Kartye and Joe Veleno.
That battle now looks to be between Jaroslav Chmelar and Matt Rempe, with Taylor Raddysh also in the mix. That leaves Sykora on the outside looking in, with Hartford likely his destination despite the way he finished last season on Broadway.
In 11 games with the Rangers, Sykora scored three goals and added one assist. A year ago with Hartford, he set a career high with 12 goals and finished third on the Wolf Pack with 29 points in 62 games.
In Other News...
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Rempe is in the mix for a fourth-line right wing spot, and the decision is complicated by the practical side of roster building. The Rangers have to weigh not just what each player brings on the ice, but how easy it is to move him if he does not make the club. That reality gives the competition a sharper edge, and it leaves Rempe facing a familiar but very real preseason test as the opening night roster takes shape. [Read more 🡒]
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The night also showed how quickly things can turn for a player trying to carve out a role. Othmanns aggressive play drew a major response and a game misconduct, leaving him with a stat line that was as eventful as it was brief, while Flames coach Ryan Huska still came away seeing a noticeable impact from the short stint on the ice. [Read more 🡒]
Matt Rempe Has A Real Chance To Force The Rangers Hand
Matt Rempe is back in the picture for the Rangers at just the right time, cleared to dress for the preseason opener against the Devils after a thumb injury cost him the back half of last season. He has not played since February and is now fully healthy, giving him a chance to remind the coaching staff what he brings at a moment when roster spots are still up for grabs.
For Rempe, the assignment is straightforward: show he can help force the Rangers to make a harder decision. He is slated to work on the fourth line with Hartford center Carey Terrance and Jacob Battaglia, and every shift will matter as he tries to turn a healthy return into a serious push for a place in the lineup. [Read more 🡒]