Though it makes perfect sense to get Chad Ruhwedel into a game for the first time this season, it was a surprise when New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette confirmed that the veteran defenseman is in the lineup Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ruhwedel was a healthy scratch in the first four games even though defenseman Ryan Lindgren is on injured reserve with an upper-body issue. With Lindgren out, rookie Victor Mancini has been solid on the third pair with Zac Jones; K’Andre Miller and Adam Fox formed an intriguing top pair; and Braden Schneider hasn’t skipped a beat sliding from the right side to the left to partner with Jacob Trouba.
So, Ruhwedel has sat and watched, which is really the role he expected to fill when the 34-year-old signed with the Rangers this past offseason. The seventh defenseman role is perfect for the 2017 Stanley Cup winner at this stage of his career. Though he must’ve hoped for a bigger role when Lindgren was injured in a fight with Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield in September.
Ruhwedel gets an opportunity Saturday, though, against Auston Matthews and Co.
“He’s been great for us. He’s played really strong, played some good games. He’s been out for a little bit and I want to make sure we’re getting everybody involved,” Laviolette explained after the morning skate.
Ruhwedel was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins right before the NHL trade deadline last season. He played five regular-season games and didn’t dress for a single postseason contest. His contributions to the Rangers are limited. But Ruhwedel is a safety net of sorts, because Laviolette knows what the Rangers get from the veteran whenever he plays. Not flashy, dependable, physical, competent.
Related: Zac Jones off to steady start with Rangers
Zac Jones comes out of Rangers lineup against Maple Leafs
Ruhwedel will take the spot of Jones on the third pair, meaning Mancini remains in the lineup. The 22-year-old is making a big impression, backing up a strong first training camp in New York with four solid regular-season games. Mancini scored his first NHL goal in the Rangers’ 5-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings and plays a strong two-way game.
Jones is the odd man out Saturday. The 24-year-old has also played well, though the Rangers are being outchanced 26-22 with him on the ice, including 12-7 in high-danger scoring chances, per Natural Stat Trick.
However, the Rangers are outscoring the opposition with Jones on the ice 5-1 through four games.
Likely, this is Laviolette deciding get Ruhwedel a game and take another look at Mancini before Lindgren is able to return to the lineup, which might be very soon. The most logical outcome has Mancini sent to Hartford of the American Hockey League, since he’s the only Rangers defensemen that doesn’t require waivers.
Interestingly, the Rangers will dress five right-shot defensemen Saturday. Schneider is already on his off side, and either Ruhwedel or Mancini will also do so. That’s a big deal for a coach like Laviolette, who prefers lefty-righty combinations as much as possible.
This is expected to be a one-time thing. Yet it’s also a rare opportunity for Ruhwedel, as well.
