Scott Morrow didn’t need long to make his case for the New York Rangers.
After sitting as a healthy scratch through the first 14 games of the season as the No. 7 defenseman, the young right-handed shot finally got into the lineup when Sean Durzi was sidelined against the Edmonton Oilers. In his season debut, Morrow picked up an assist on the Rangers’ lone goal in a 4-1 loss, with Pavel Dorofeyev finishing the play.
It was one of the few bright spots in another defeat, but Morrow stood out right away. He looked eager to seize the opportunity and showed the kind of energy that can change a coach’s mind fast.
The Rangers have been dealing with injury issues all season, especially in goal, where the absences of Igor Shesterkin and Joonas Korpisalo have pushed Dylan Garand into a much bigger role. Garand has helped the team win games, but the issues in front of him have been just as important. Head coach Mike Sullivan hasn’t liked what he’s seen from the team’s structure lately, and the possibility of a shakeup has come up.
Morrow gave the Rangers a reason to consider one. Against a dangerous Oilers team, he was the most impactful player on the ice for New York, according to Hockey Stat Cards. Only eight skaters finished at 0.00 or better, and none topped Morrow’s 1.43.
That lines up with what the Rangers have believed about him: he can move the puck and contribute offensively. In this game, he backed that up. His strongest marks came in offensive production, including points, scoring chances and penalties drawn, and he also graded well in play driving, which factors in on-ice expected goals and goals compared to league and team average.
Morrow wasn’t used on the power play, so he didn’t get that extra boost, but he did earn positive marks for his work on the penalty kill.
He also looked like a better fit alongside rookie Alberts Smits than Braden Schneider. The sample is small, with just 13.8 minutes per Money Puck, but Morrow and Smits posted a 58.3% Expected Goals Percentage together. With Schneider, that number sits at 44.6% over 146.3 minutes.
Given how much the Rangers have struggled on defense, there’s a clear argument for giving Morrow a longer runway. His first game back was strong enough to earn that next look.
In Other News...
Rangers Just Took An Important Step Toward Goalie Relief
The Rangers have taken a meaningful step toward easing their goaltending squeeze by sending Joonas Korpisalo to the AHLs Hartford Wolf Pack on a conditioning loan as he works back from a lower-body injury and foot infection. The move is designed to get him back into game shape without taking him off the NHL roster, a small but important bit of roster management for a team that has been navigating life without Igor Shesterkin.
Under the NHL collective bargaining agreement, the loan can run for as long as 14 days while Korpisalo remains on the NHL payroll, giving the Rangers a short window to evaluate where he stands physically. His eventual return would offer some relief in net, but for now the bigger question is how quickly he can regain the form and availability New York needs from him. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Trade Search Just Zeroed In On A Crucial Need
The Rangers search for help down the middle is starting to look like one of the more important items on their list as the season unfolds. Will Cuylle has been asked to bridge a gap at center, but that arrangement is viewed more as a stopgap than a long-term answer, which is why the front office is believed to be keeping a close eye on the market for younger options who could fit the roster better over time.
Among the names being floated are Ryan Hartman, Josh Norris and Cole Sillinger, a mix that reflects both the need and the uncertainty around what might actually be available. The Rangers are clearly trying to solve a real roster issue, but the challenge is finding a center who fits their timeline and can be pried loose without overpaying, which makes this one of those trade searches that could linger for a while before anything concrete happens. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers May Have Found An Unexpected Answer To Their Center Problem
The Rangers have spent much of the season searching for stability down the middle, and injuries forced them to try something a little off the board against the Blues. Will Cuylle was shifted to center for the first time in his professional career, a move born more out of necessity than design, with Eeli Tolvanen and Oliver Bjorkstrand flanking him on the wings.
The results were encouraging enough to keep the idea in the conversation. Cuylles line drove play well, posted strong expected goal numbers and helped the Rangers control key stretches in a 3-1 win over St. Louis, giving the club at least one plausible answer in a spot that has been a problem for much of the year. Whether the look sticks beyond one game is still the bigger question. [Read more 🡒]