Rangers still have a long way to go before Adam Fox is eligible to come off long-term injured reserve, but the club’s first-choice defender is making progress.
Fox has returned to skating about two weeks after being placed on long-term injured reserve following a knee collision with Carolina forward Sebastian Aho.
The 2021 Norris Trophy winner missed his fifth straight game Rangers beat Devils 5-3 Saturday night, but the earliest Foos could return to the lineup is Nov. 29 against the Red Wings.
It’s unclear if Fox’s timetable will line up with when he completes his LTIR game quota.
However, the fact that he’s back skating should bode well for his return, which would be around the time he becomes eligible.
Fox’s positive update only adds to the concerns of Filip Chytil, who has been on injured reserve for the same period of time that Fox was on LTIR but has yet to return to skating.
Considering how many injuries and concussions Chytil has suffered throughout his career, the longer the Czech center is away from the ice, the more questions will surround his long-term durability.
Chytil is eligible to come off IR for Sunday’s game against the Blue Jackets.
It’s never a good time to get hurt, but Chytil always seems to get pulled off the ice at the worst possible times.
Chytil earned the second-line center spot at the end of training camp and found himself alongside Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere as the Rangers’ most active and effective offensive line .
The trio is just starting to develop some real chemistry when Chytil is out.
As a result, Chitil was replaced by Vincent Trocheck.
Fortunately for the Rangers, the defensive line hasn’t skipped a beat since the trade in the middle.
However, if the Rangers continue in the direction they are going, Chytil could find himself in a different role when he returns to the lineup.
Igor Shesterkin, who returned to action Saturday night, had 30 saves on 33 shots in a win over the Devils, making his first start in more than two weeks because of a lingering Go to undisclosed issues.
Jonathan Quick returns to his original role as substitute.
Saturday was the Rangers’ first game since Nov. 2 against the Hurricanes in which both of their top goaltenders played. Shesterkin was said to be “injured” after the 2-1 win over Carolina, in which the Rangers also lost Fox and Chytil. .
The Rangers deployed the same defensive line and defensive combination for the fourth straight game, with Blake Wheeler joining Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad Glide on the top line.
Connor McGee, who was recalled late Friday, was healthy for the fifth straight game.
Head coach Peter Laviolette noted that carrying McGee was a precautionary measure to ensure the Rangers had enough players.
The Rangers are scheduled to hold an optional practice in Tarrytown on Sunday before traveling to Dallas. After facing the Stars on Monday night, the Blueshirts will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins on Wednesday.