The New York Rangers announced they have lost bottom-six forward Brendan Lemieux for the next three to four weeks after he suffered a fractured hand during Friday’s 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Lemieux played 10:36 during Friday’s game, but only played three shifts during the third period, suggesting he was injured during that period. While Lemieux isn’t on the ice for his offensive prowess (five goals and 13 points in 35 games), he is a heavy hitter, who provides much needed grit to the team. Lemieux has 86 hits and 87 penalty minutes so far this season.
The team had already announced that Steven Fogarty has been recalled. The team could have considered younger players to fill Lemieux’s role, but Vitali Kravtsov has only returned from Russia two weeks ago and isn’t ready, while Lias Andersson is still under suspension for leaving the Hartford Wolf Pack due to unhappiness. That left the team choosing the best player, which Fogarty has been, having played well for Hartford recently.