With only one leg remaining on their West Coast road trip, the New York Rangers made a head-scratching move today with their AHL affiliate, Hartford. It was a swap of center Jake Leschyshyn for defenseman Victor Mancini.
The most puzzling thing about this transaction is that the Rangers currently have seven readily available d-men, as there is no room for Mancini. Unless something else is brewing behind closed doors.
What could it be?
UPDATE: #NYR has recalled defenseman Victor Mancini from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Additionally, the club has assigned forward Jake Leschyshyn to the Wolf Pack.
— Hartford Wolf Pack (@WolfPackAHL) November 22, 2024
Details: https://t.co/ULTQd7RICC#RunTogether pic.twitter.com/JZUvc7eBRX
Big Changes Coming?
The Rangers have a solid chance of making the Stanley Cup playoffs this season and could make another serious run to lifting the Stanley Cup. But, if this is the final crack at this, with a plethora of expiring contracts and a limited amount of funds ready for the end of the 2024-25 campaign, the eyes are set in two separate directions. How can the Rangers continue to be a playoff contender after this year?
Aside from Goaltender Igor Shesterkin likely receiving the largest contract in NHL history for a netminder, there is a set of defensemen who are looking for new deals as well. That being Ryan Lindgren and K'Andre Miller. If things continue going the way they are going, one will stay and one will go.
This recent call-up of Mancini may have made things a little clearer in regards to that, as one of those two has been excelling and the other is free-falling. The Rangers may have found a suitor to take Lingren, allowing Miller to stay on for the future. A bit rash and unexpected, but it's something that could be in the cards.
What Really Happened?
Zac Jones is hurt and will miss some time. This explains the Mancini call-up and explains the extra D-man. Still, the possibility of a trade or move outside of the organization is very high, whether it is now or later on in the year.
Zac Jones is out with an upper body injury, #NYR say. Fil Chytil will come on at the end of the skate. Jones is day-to-day, they say.
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) November 23, 2024
Another logical reason for bringing him up is that the Rangers want to see more from the Rookie. Mancini started the year at the NHL level, appeared in nine games so far, and added a goal and three assists in his limited time. He showed that he could belong in the show, full-time, and many have eagerly awaited his return from the AHL.
This is going to be an exciting Saturday.