The New York Rangers trimmed their roster ahead of their matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers, putting defenseman Sean Durzi on injured reserve and placing goaltender James Reimer on waivers.
Mollie Walker of the New York Post reported the Durzi move, while Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reported the waiver placement on Reimer.
Durzi’s move was hardly a shock. The 28-year-old hasn’t suited up since the Rangers’ October 26 game against the Los Angeles Kings, and because 10 days have already passed since he was injured, New York can activate him once he’s fully healthy. The signs point to him being close.
Earlier in the day, head coach Mike Sullivan offered an update through Remy Mastey of The Hockey News: “ I don’t know that he’s going to make the trip initially. I think it all depends on how he progresses, whether he comes initially on the road trip with us.
If he doesn’t, I would anticipate him joining us. Something of that nature.
”
After the Flyers game, the Rangers head out on a four-game road trip through the NHL’s Pacific Division.
When Durzi is back, he’s expected to slide right back into a top-four role alongside Marcus Pettersson. The two have logged nearly 190 minutes together this season and have posted a 44.4% xGoals% at MoneyPuck. Durzi has two goals and five points in 14 games this season, along with a minus-1 rating in his first year with New York.
Reimer’s trip to waivers also fits the sequence of moves. On Tuesday morning, the Rangers sent injured goalie Joonas Korpisalo to the AHL on a conditioning stint.
Korpisalo returned to game action and stopped 34 of 37 shots in a loss to the AHL’s Hershey Bears, a .918 save percentage that suggests he’s ready to come back. Even if Reimer clears waivers over the next 24 hours, he could still stay on the roster for now, since Korpisalo may not be fully healthy yet and that would give New York some extra flexibility.
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