New York Rangers Recall Connor Mackey

The New York Rangers have recalled defenseman Connor Mackey to the NHL. Mackey has played in seven games with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, to start the season. He’s recorded two points, 17 penalty minutes, and a +8 through those seven games.

Mackey’s recall comes in the wake of Adam Fox’s move to injured reserve. Fox is expected to miss two to four weeks with a lower-body injury after an awkward collision with Carolina’s Sebastian Aho. His absence is a huge blow to a Rangers defense that doesn’t have much of a sting beyond their Norris Trophy-winning defenseman. To add insult to injury, the Rangers’ Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Igor Shesterkin is also currently out with injury.

The capable hands of K’Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba will step into the team’s top pair in Fox’s absence but there’s reason to be less confident in the four roster spots behind them. Ryan Lindgren has appeared in 10 games for New York this season, scoring a sole assist and recording a -2 while averaging just shy of 20 minutes each game. Zachary Jones has also found his way into the NHL lineup, playing in two games so far this year but failing to score a point and recording a -3.

Mackey’s recall gives New York more options to patch the holes on their back-end. He has appeared in 39 career NHL games, most recently playing 20 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season. He’s scored 11 points and recorded 70 penalty minutes in those 39 games, including four points and 39 penalty minutes last season. Mackey is an undrafted defender, originally signed by the Calgary Flames following three strong years with Minnesota State-Mankato.