Rangers Struggle to Replace Fox After Upper-Body Injury

The New York Rangers are facing challenges in replacing Adam Fox after his upper-body injury. Fox was placed on long-term injured reserve on Sunday, following an injury during the third period of a 4-1 defeat against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This placement requires Fox to miss at least 10 games and 24 days.

Adam Fox’s Impact on the Rangers

Adam Fox has been a crucial player for the Rangers. He leads the team with 26 points, comprising three goals and 23 assists, and ranks second in the NHL for defensemen in this statistic. His absence will significantly affect the team as they prepare to host the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

Coaching Remarks on Fox’s Replacement

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Fox. “Foxy is not an easy guy to replace,” Sullivan stated after practice on Monday. He noted that the coaching staff is developing a game plan based on the available players to ensure team success in Fox’s absence.

Adjustments to the Roster

• Braden Schneider will move up to fill Fox’s spot on the top defense pairing, partnering with Vladislav Gavrikov.
• New York’s first power-play unit will feature five forwards, with Artemi Panarin taking over Fox’s role at the point.

Panarin is tied with Fox for team lead in points, making him a suitable choice for this critical position. He and Mika Zibanejad are expected to contribute significantly on the power play, utilizing their strong offensive skills.

Player Perspectives

Schneider expressed his determination to step up in Fox’s absence. “It’s an opportunity to see if I can put the big boy pants on,” he said. He emphasized the need for teamwork and individual resilience to compensate for Fox’s lost contributions.

Additionally, the team faces more challenges as forward Adam Edstrom left practice early and is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Brennan Othmann has been recalled from the AHL to help bolster the lineup, as forward Taylor Raddysh missed practice for personal reasons.

Looking Ahead

The Rangers aim to build their identity as a team during this tough period. Schneider believes that although Fox is one of the league’s top offensive defensemen, the team must focus on performing their roles effectively to maintain competitiveness.

As the Rangers continue to navigate these roster changes, their upcoming match against the Dallas Stars will be a critical test of their adaptability and resilience.