So Jake Leschyshyn is a New York Ranger after the Blueshirts claimed him today. Leschyshyn is a 23-year-old centerman who the Vegas Golden Knights selected in the second round of the 2017 NHL entry draft. With the former Regina Pat added to the roster, there is a lot of confusion around the fan base as to why the Blueshirts opted to claim the former Golden Knights and it does make sense eventually, I swear.
Chris Kreider was hurt last night and will not play during the game against the Dallas Stars so they had to do something. With Kreider not expected to be out long-term, there were questions as to what the fix was. Would it be someone from Hartford coming up or would the Rangers coaching staff just trust the other 12 forwards on the roster at the time? While that may still be the case, Leschyshyn serves as a backup plan if something goes wrong.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have claimed forward Jake Leschyshyn off waivers.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 11, 2023
Details: https://t.co/sM0kxWtlo5 pic.twitter.com/HU5irk1jri
At 5’11,185 lbs, the Raleigh, North Carolina-born forward is not the most terrifying of opponents to play against. He can play on the fourth line and provide scoring although he is not the best of players on his own end. He has played a ton in the NHL before he was ready to because of the sheer number of injuries to the Vegas Golden Knights over the last season and a half, but he’s done a job for the Knights.
Perhaps the Rangers are just seeking someone that can fill in on the fourth line after they adjust the lineup and who could be put back on waivers for the purposes of assigning him to Hartford to continue his development. All in all, this is the kind of player that the Rangers could have in their system for a while. There wasn’t really a reason to let him clear in hindsight and perhaps he will become a roster player for the Blueshirts.