Rangers Struggling Without Vincent Trocheck
The New York Rangers have defended better than they did last season and have gotten excellent goaltending, but they have failed to capitalize on scoring chances and lost close games. They entered the season with some skilled veterans but lacked depth, and they have sorely missed key center Vincent Trocheck, who was injured in the second game of the season and placed on long-term injured reserve.
Trocheck’s Play With the Rangers
The Rangers signed Trocheck to a seven-season, $39.375 million contract ahead of the 2022-23 season, and he quickly became one of their top forwards. During the 2022-23 season, he finished with 22 goals and 42 assists while playing in all 82 games. He also won 56.1 percent of his faceoffs and had 182 hits.
Trocheck built on his strong season and was even better in 2023-24 as he finished with a career-high 77 points (25 goals and 52 assists), 175 hits, and won 58.7 percent of his faceoffs. He was a dominant force in the postseason and finished with eight goals and 12 assists in 16 games, including a double overtime goal in a 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the second round.
While the Rangers had a disappointing 2024-25 season, Trocheck once again played well, finishing with 26 goals, 33 assists, and 214 hits while winning 59.3 percent of his faceoffs. Coming into this season, he never missed a game during his stint in New York, and he has been one of their most consistent players.
Trocheck used his speed well to get in on the forecheck, was excellent on faceoffs, and contributed on both the power play and penalty kill. He contributes in a lot of ways and helps them generate offense at even strength playing alongside Artemi Panarin. He was someone they could rely on in any situation, and his injury has hurt them early this season.
The Rangers’ Lack of Depth
Entering this season, the Rangers had a few proven players, but their roster was largely made up of bottom-six forwards and top-six forwards who struggled last season. They also do not have any proven offensive defensemen in their lineup besides Adam Fox, and they have multiple stay-at-home defensemen. Their roster construction put a lot of pressure on their top players to produce, and so far, they have not been able to do so consistently.
The Rangers are 3-4-2, and they were shut out in their first three home games of the season. They have scored just 21 total goals and have lost their first five home games. Taylor Raddysh, who has spent the majority of his career as a bottom-six forward, is leading the team with four goals after he had a hat trick in a 6-5 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 23.
With Trocheck out, veteran Conor Sheary, who spent most of last season in the American Hockey League (AHL), is playing in the top six, and Mika Zibanejad, who began the season at winger, is back at center. Making matters worse, young forwards Alexis Lafreniere and Will Cuylle have struggled to score and have combined for just two goals and two assists in the Rangers’ first nine games.
The Rangers miss Trocheck’s offensive production, his ability to win faceoffs, and his play on special teams. They have played better defensively this season, but they have not finished their scoring chances or found ways to win close games.
The Rangers Need Their Top Players to Step Up
Though the Rangers are just nine games into the season, they are already facing adversity and need their leaders to step up while Trocheck is out. He contributes in all phases of the game and can provide a big boost when he does return to the lineup, but for now, they need their top players to keep the team afloat after winning just one of their last six games.
Canadiens Coach Reacts to Patrik Laine’s Long-Term Injury: “A Huge Blow, But We’ll Adapt”
"Montreal faces tough road ahead as Laine is set to miss 3-4 months after surgery."
The
Head Coach of the Canadiens, Martin St. Louis, reacted to the news with a mixture of frustration and resolve, acknowledging the loss but stressing the importance of adaptation. “Losing Patrik for an extended period of time is a huge blow for us. He’s a key player, and we’ll miss his offensive ability and leadership on the ice. But we’re a team, and we’ll have to adapt. Our focus now is on supporting Patrik through his recovery, and when he’s ready to return, we’ll be here to welcome him back. In the meantime, we need others to step up and help fill the gap,”
This injury comes just as Laine was beginning to find his rhythm with the Canadiens, after a frustrating first season with the team. Last season, he missed significant time due to a preseason knee injury, and while he made a strong return, his performance waned in the latter part of the season and during the playoffs, where he was injured again in their series against
While Laine was able to make it through training camp healthy, the current season has not been kind. He was already struggling with limited ice time, having been relegated to fourth-line minutes after starting on the second line. In just
Laine's Determination to Return
Despite the setback, Laine remains determined to return stronger than ever. “It’s frustrating, of course, but I’m going to do everything I can to get back on the ice as soon as possible. I’ve been through injuries before, and I know the process. I’ll focus on my recovery, and when I’m healthy again, I’ll be ready to contribute to the team’s success. It’s not ideal, but I’m determined to come back stronger,”
The injury not only affects the Canadiens’ lineup but also Laine’s future. With this being a contract year, the long-term absence is expected to impact his value on the open market. Laine currently carries an
Montreal’s Next Steps
For the Canadiens, the focus now shifts to the next man up. With Laine out for months, they’ll need other players to step up in his absence.
Despite the tough situation, St. Louis remains optimistic that the team can overcome this challenge:
As the season continues without one of their top players, the Canadiens will need to adapt quickly to keep their playoff hopes alive. Laine’s absence is significant, but his eventual return could provide the spark needed to push the team toward success.
