The New York Rangers are jetting off to Chicago for an away matchup against the Blackhawks before returning for a weekend game at Madison Square Garden, and some much needed positive news emerged from practice on Tuesday.
Adam Fox is skating on his own, Matt Rempe is joining the team in Chicago
The Rangers have held their own while Fox has been sidelined, but the team is at their best when he's in the lineup. He's required to miss 10 games and 24 days, so if he's truly on the mend and closing in on a return, the earliest Blueshirts fans will see him is December 27 against the New York Islanders. It is possible the Rangers hold him out a little longer, but it is good to see that he's back on the ice and in good spirits.
Rempe has been sidelined since fighting Ryan Reaves back in October, and he will be joining the team in Chicago. This is the next step in the process for Rempe, and it is unlikely he will play. Mike Sullivan spoke with the media after practice and said, "He skated a fair amount on his own with our skills coaches. The next step is to get him around the group in a team setting in a non-contact jersey. And then obviously the final step is to get him into game real scenarios”
Rempe has appeared in nine games this season while averaging 9:48 a night. He's got one goal to his name this season, and a career line of 5-6-11 in 68 NHL games. He would add some desired speed and toughness to the fourth line, and as soon as he's ready to go, the Rangers will have some tough decisions to make to create a spot on the roster.
Adam Edstrom remains sidelined with lower body injury
In addition to the updates on Fox and Rempe, it was also shared the Edstrom remains sidelined. Edstrom left practice early last week, and he's not been in the lineup since November 29 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 6'7" winger has a pair of goals and assists for four points in 24 games this season, and a career line of 9-6-15 in 86 games. Like Rempe, he brings speed and toughness to the bottom six, and fans certainly are looking forward to their "bash bros" being reunited.