New York Rangers defenceman returned to the ice, albeit wearing a full-contact jersey and a protective bubble. In contrast, as the 26-year-old returns to the lineup, head coach Peter Laviolette faces a difficult decision.
At the start of the season, most expected that rookie Vittorio Mancini would be sent down to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack by general manager Chris Drury and the Rangers once Lindgren returned to health. However, Mancini’s strong performances have stirred up a debate about who should be removed from the lineup instead. It could be Zachary Jones, or perhaps Chad Ruhwedel, who has been a healthy scratch for the first three games.
Mancini has been doing everything he can to prove he belongs in the NHL. Although he hasn’t tallied any points yet, the rookie has seamlessly slotted into the third defensive pairing alongside Jones. Over five games, Mancini is averaging 15:03 of ice time, is fourth among Rangers defensemen with nine shots, and ranks fourth with seven blocked shots. At 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds, his mix of size and speed has made him a valuable addition to the Rangers’ defense.
Rangers GM Will Earn his Keep
If New York Rangers GM Chris Drury decided that Chad Ruhwedel would be the one to leave the lineup when Ryan Lindgren returns, it wouldn’t come as a surprise. Ruhwedel, having been a healthy scratch for the first three games, hasn’t had the chance to make an impact. At 34, he is the oldest defenseman on the team, and while his veteran experience is valuable, his limited role and lack of recent playing time could make him the odd man out. With younger players like Mancini stepping up and Zac Jones showing potential, it would be reasonable for the Rangers to focus on developing their younger talent, rather than prioritizing Ruhwedel, who could either be sent down or remain a depth option.
However, Mancini’s waiver-exempt status could work against him. If the Rangers chose to send down Jones or Ruhwedel, they would need to clear waivers, a risk the team would likely avoid. As a result, despite Mancini’s solid performance, he could end up being sent to Hartford. This move could still benefit his development, as he would likely get first-pair minutes in the AHL, rather than risk being a healthy scratch in New York. He would almost certainly be the top candidate for a call-up if another defenseman were to go down during the season.
The Lindgren Effect: What Will the Defence Pairings Look Like?
Lindgren has spent the majority of his career paired with Adam Fox, forming one of the league’s most dependable shutdown duos. In Lindgren’s absence, K’Andre Miller has stepped up into a top-pair role alongside Fox, yielding promising results. The Miller-Fox pairing has conceded just one even-strength goal, which occurred during a 4-on-4 situation against the Utah Hockey Club.
The second pairing of Jacob Trouba and Braden Schneider has also been effective. Trouba seems to be shaking off his late-season struggles from last year, contributing four assists in five games. Schneider, meanwhile, has adapted well to playing on his offside on the left.
With Lindgren’s return, the most sensible move would likely be to reunite him with Fox, restoring their well-established chemistry. This would allow Miller to rejoin Trouba, reviving a partnership that was strong for much of last season. Schneider could then slide down to the third pair with Jones, preserving lineup continuity. Coach Laviolette has several options to consider. He could keep Miller with Fox to see if they can evolve into an elite top pairing, while testing Lindgren on the second pair with either Schneider or Trouba. Extending Miller and Fox’s time together might unlock significant potential, but reuniting Lindgren and Fox, where both have excelled, appears to be the most probable scenario.
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