The Rangers have called up left-shot defenseman Connor Mackey from AHL Hartford, stepping in as a crucial reinforcement after Urho Vaakanainen's recent injury. Vaakanainen left Wednesday’s game against the Devils with an upper-body injury and didn’t make the trip to Columbus, meaning he’ll miss at least tonight’s matchup against the Blue Jackets.
This marks Mackey’s sixth stint with the Rangers this season. He’s been the go-to option for injury coverage, though he’s yet to see game action, remaining a healthy scratch in 11 contests.
Mackey joined the Rangers in 2023 on a two-way deal and later signed a two-year extension, which is set to expire this summer. While his offensive game has dipped, his physical play in Hartford remains strong, with 52 games under his belt, a 5-10-15 scoring line, 81 penalty minutes, and a -8 rating.
At 29, Mackey has experience spanning parts of five NHL seasons, though he hasn’t played since December 2024. Previously, he suited up for the Coyotes and Flames.
Standing 6’3″ and weighing 205 pounds, he’s made 42 NHL appearances, contributing a 4-7-11 scoring line, a -1 rating, and 78 hits, averaging 14:11 of ice time per game. His best season came in 2022-23, split between Calgary and Arizona, where he became a regular after a trade to the Coyotes.
He recorded seven points and a -4 rating in 30 games that year, but has only appeared in three games for the Rangers since.
The Rangers have predominantly kept Mackey in a reserve role this season. With Vaakanainen out, the team’s defensive lineup now includes four righties and two lefties.
The decision remains whether to shift someone to their offside to allow righty Vincent Iorio to step in, or to give Mackey his first game of the season to maintain balance. While the immediate impact may be minimal, the Rangers are eager to bounce back after two consecutive losses, which have left them five points behind the Panthers in the Eastern standings.