The New York Rangers made several roster adjustments just hours before finalizing their lineup for the 2024-25 season. Forward Jimmy Vesey has been placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), while defenseman Ryan Lindgren is on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury.
In addition to these moves, the Rangers assigned five players, including Matt Rempe and Will Cuylle, to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Meanwhile, Jake Leschyshyn, Adam Sykora, Ben Harpur, and Anton Bildh were called up from the Wolf Pack. According to Arthur Staple of The Athletic, some players sent down on Monday may be recalled on Tuesday as Vesey’s LTIR designation opens up roster space.
Vesey, who sustained a lower-body injury after a fall during practice last month, is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. The 31-year-old winger, in his third season of his second stint with the Rangers, tallied 13 goals and 26 points in 80 games last season—the most productive since his 35-point campaign in 2018-19. He also contributed three points in 12 playoff games during the Rangers’ run to the Eastern Conference Final.
This season marks the final year of Vesey’s current two-year contract, which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $800,000.
Lindgren’s injury occurred during a preseason fight with Scott Mayfield of the New York Islanders, where an uppercut caused more damage than initially expected. Like Vesey, he is expected to be out for several weeks. Lindgren, who signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Rangers over the summer, recorded 17 points (three goals and 14 assists) in 76 games last season, along with three points in 16 playoff appearances.
The Rangers are set to open their 2024-25 season on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
