Rangers injury update: Artemi Panarin misses practice, day to day with lower-body issue
Artemi Panarin did not practice Thursday and is day to day with a lower-body injury for the New York Rangers.
The star forward sustained the injury is the first period of a 5-4 preseason win against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Panarin played four shifts — none after the 7:13 mark of the opening period — totaling 2:25 in ice time.
Coach Peter Laviolette said postgame that the move was “precautionary” but added, “There’s always a concern when a player leaves early.”
The Rangers had the day off Wednesday and returned to practice Thursday. They’re scheduled to close out their preseason schedule Friday at the New York Islanders.
On Thursday, Laviolette would only say Panarin is day to day and wouldn’t speculate as to when he will return.
When asked if Panarin has gotten enough work in to be ready for opening night next Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Penguins, Laviolette answered, “I wish he was in the whole training camp. This was only the second day of practice he’s missed but there’s been a couple games he hasn’t been able to take part in or played just a very small amount of time. … There’s nothing you can do about that.”
Panarin hasn’t missed a game in two seasons, and is coming off an NHL career-high 120 points, playing all 82 games in 2023-24. He was fourth in the NHL scoring race and his point total was second most in Rangers history, behind Jaromir Jagr (123) in 2005-06.
Rookie Brennan Othmann took Panarin’s place on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere at practice Thursday. The 21-year-old forward had two assists in the win against the Devils, and has four points (goal, three assists) in five preseason games. He scored 21 goals as a rookie pro with Hartford of the American Hockey League last season.
Alexis Lafreniere took Panarin’s spot on the top power-play unit with Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox and Trocheck.
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Artemi Panarin sidelined for second time in preseason with Rangers
This is the second time Panarin has been sidelined this preseason. He made his preseason debut in a 6-4 win against the New York Islanders on Sept. 24, but left in the third period with a lower-body injury. The Rangers have not said if the latest injury is related to the first.
Panarin missed one day of practice before returning to the ice the first time. He skipped two preseason games before playing Tuesday at The Garden.
The Rangers are already without defenseman Ryan Lindgren (upper body) and forward Jimmy Vesey (lower body). Each is expected to miss a few weeks. Lindgren was hurt after a fight with Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield. Vesey sustained a non-contact injury in practice Sunday.
Laviolette said earlier this week that neither is expected to play on opening night.
Panarin, who turns 33 on Oct. 30, is a question mark right now. The Rangers can only hope this is not a lingering issue that hampers him long term.
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