LOS ANGELES — The choice to repeatedly scratch Vitali Kravtsov, regardless of the very fact the Russian winger is wholesome sufficient to play, circles again to the Rangers’ overarching situation of constant to hold 23 gamers on their roster.
It’s been over a month for the reason that Rangers recalled Julien Gauthier from AHL Hartford to achieve the roster restrict. And on daily basis that passes, the Rangers are leaving dollars on the desk that shall be mandatory come the commerce deadline on March 21. The transfer might have been mandatory on the time on account of accidents, however it isn't anymore and the membership is simply hurting itself the longer it continues on this path.
To proceed to scratch Kravtsov, nonetheless, solely raises the eyebrow larger. There’s little question that Kravtsov’s lack of ability to remain wholesome has performed a big function in the issue. The uncertainty surrounding his standing from game-to-game places the Rangers in a precarious spot.
But when Kravtsov has been cleared from his newest situation — a tooth an infection/abdomen bug — and is ready to play, the Rangers certainly need to see what they've within the No. 9-overall decide of the 2018 NHL Draft.
If not when the staff is searching for a spark at five-on-five, when? If not when the staff must resolve who to chop, when? If not now, then when?
“He’s been prepared the final couple,” Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant mentioned after observe on Monday when requested if he has a plan for Kravtsov’s return to the lineup. “I've an concept, however I don’t know when. I favored the best way our staff performed the final recreation … it is likely to be the identical lineup. I’ve received no downside with the best way Kravy has been this yr. He’s labored arduous and all that. He’s had some unlucky luck.
“Proper now, it’s about our staff and I favored the best way our staff’s performed proper now. We’ll see when it’s going to occur, however it’s going to occur. He’s going to play. We need to give him each alternative. To date, he’s labored arduous. He’s been a great, character individual. He’s completed every thing we’ve requested.
“Only a matter of moving into the sport. … It’ll occur ahead of later, however we’ll see.”
Kravtsov, who has logged a mere 52:28 of ice time this season, mentioned he feels able to play, however admitted he’s not 100%. That may very well be a think about all this, as properly. The 22-year-old famous that he thought he performed properly in his previous two video games, which gave him some confidence he can construct off it when he will get his subsequent likelihood.
“For certain, it’s dangerous luck,” Kravtsov mentioned. “Nobody desires to be injured, and thrice in a season, it’s lots. Laborious to undergo that. After that, I really feel it’s going to be a lot better.”
Not solely do the Rangers have a viable top-six possibility sitting within the press field, however Ryan Reaves and his $1.75 million cap hit is up there, too. Reaves has been a wholesome scratch in six of the previous seven video games — and it’s trying prefer it’ll be seven of the previous eight after the Rangers face the Kings on Tuesday. The Rangers would save a prorated $1.125 million below the cap by assigning Reaves to Hartford, liberating up one thing within the vary of $3.75 million in house by the commerce deadline. If Reaves is claimed on waivers or traded, the Rangers would save the whole quantity.
It could be folly for the Rangers to demote Gauthier, who will now need to cross via waivers with a purpose to be assigned to AHL Hartford. And after making an impression within the 11 video games he has performed, the Rangers most likely don’t need to danger dropping one other depth participant. The opposite possibility can be Ryan Carpenter, whose contributions on faceoffs have been the lone standout in his 16 video games. However as a middle, Carpenter might seem extra invaluable to the Rangers, who're skinny at that place.
Time is of the essence the place the Rangers and their cap scenario are involved. Tick, tick, tick.
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