Jimmy Vesey's first steps in the winding road back into the New York Rangers lineup
The New York Rangers have some great news today, as Jimmy Vesey has returned to practice.
There's always a "but" with messages like this, as the Rangers have Vesey back in a non-contact green jersey. This isn't great news, but it means Vesey is working his way back into the lineup, albeit slowly.
Vesey was injured during training camp, and put on long-term injured reserve after he limped off the ice during practice.
He'd be out of commission for some time, until recently, as the team didn't have a timeline for his return.
Peter Laviolette was happy with his return to the ice though:
Vesey's absence has left a void in the lineup, that the Rangers have had to rely upon the depth in the organization to fill.
Replacements for Vesey have consisted of Jonny Brodzinski, Adam Edstrom, and Matt Rempe, as Sam Carrick has centered them all.
With Vesey back in the lineup soon, the Rangers will have a tough decision to make as to who to designate as the 13th forward in the organization.
Will it be Matt Rempe, Adam Edstrom, or Jonny Brodzinski? Rempe the obvious fan favorite, has panned out as much as he's hyped himself this offseason and has yet to find his inner Adam Lowry, despite us all wanting to see it.
Adam Edstrom has provided the muscle and scoring depth needed on the fourth line, that Peter Laviolette needs, while Jonny Brodzinski could do the same and has more NHL games underneath his belt.
Carrick, Brodzinski, and Edstrom have played very well as a unit, which could afford Vesey the chance to take it slow with his recovery and possibly move in and out of the lineup when he is fully healthy.
Vesey's last season with the New York Rangers saw him post 26 points( 13 G, 13 A) in 80 games with the team while averaging a time on ice of 12:23.
| POLL | ||
Will Jimmy Vesey make it back into the lineup within the next few weeks, or next month? | ||
| Weeks | 35 | 54.7 % |
| Month(s) | 29 | 45.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
