Rangers Hint at 2 Long-Term Injuries with Opening Roster Release

The New York Rangers announced their regular-season roster for their opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Rangers received good news regarding star forward Artemi Panarin, Vince Mercogliano of USA Today reported.

After missing five days of practice with a lower-body injury, Panarin returned to the ice on Monday and participated fully with his usual line.

"Panarin said he’s good to go for Wednesday," Mercogliano reported on X.

The Rangers' roster, however, had two names glaringly absent. They will have to navigate the start of the season without two of their most proven veterans , one on the forward corps and one projected to take on top-pair defensive assignments.

Jimmy Vesey, who suffered a lower-body injury during practice late last month , is guaranteed to miss the first 10 games and 24 days of the regular season due to his placement on LTIR.

Last season, Vesey recorded 13 goals and 26 points in 80 games , his highest output since 2018–19. Vesey’s absence will be felt as he was expected to contribute to both the bottom six on offense and the penalty kill unit.

Ryan Lindgren, meanwhile, was hurt during a preseason fight with the Islanders' Scott Mayfield and has yet to rejoin the team in practice.

The defenseman is recovering from an upper-body injury and is also expected to miss several weeks. He's coming off a solid 2023–24 campaign, where he notched 3 goals and assisted 14 in 76 games.

In parallel moves, the Rangers sent Will Cuylle, Matt Rempe, Adam Edstrom, Victor Mancini, and Brett Berard to Hartford's AHL affiliate, although further transactions and call-ups are expected on Tuesday, per Larry Brooks of the New York Post .

Related: Rangers' Artemi Panarin Issues Definitive Injury Update