NHL notebook: Rangers bracing fans for rebuild
The New York Rangers are three points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but it sounds like they could be holding a fire sale leading up to the Feb. 26 trade deadline.
A day after its fourth straight loss, the team posted a message from president Glen Sather and general manager Jeff Gorton to fans on its website and Twitter on Thursday, hinting strongly that big-name veterans will be shipped off for prospects and draft picks as the deadline approaches.
"As we approach the trade deadline later this month and into the summer, we will be focused on adding young, competitive players that combine speed, skill and character," the message reads. "This may mean we lose some familiar faces, guys we all care about and respect. While this is part of the game, it's never easy. Our promise to you is that our plans will be guided by our singular commitment: ensuring we are building the foundation for our next Stanley Cup contender."
New York waived defenseman Brendan Smith on Thursday, which happened to be Smith's 29th birthday. Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings before last year's deadline, Smith re-signed with the Rangers on a four-year, $17 million deal last offseason. In 62 games with the Rangers, Smith tallied two goals and 10 assists with a plus-minus of plus-four.
--Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo practiced Thursday for the first time since injuring his groin in a game against the New York Islanders on Dec. 4. Luongo has missed the Panthers' last 24 games since suffering the injury.
Luongo's return to practice was delayed by a couple of setbacks that altered his timetable. No return date is set for the 38-year-old, but head coach Bob Boughner said "he is definitely moving in the right direction for next week."
"Obviously I'd love to get in there as quick as possible, but at the same time I want to make sure that I'm where I need to be as far as the sharpness is concerned," Luongo said. "Hopefully sometime on [next week's five-game] road trip but, like I said, I don't really put a timeline on it."
--The Buffalo Sabres will be without defenseman Jake McCabe for three to four weeks following thumb surgery.
McCabe had surgery Wednesday after suffering the thumb injury in a collision with the Anaheim Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf in the first period of the Sabres' overtime loss Tuesday. McCabe returned to play one shift in the second period but missed the remainder of the game after that.
McCabe had played in all 53 of the Sabres' games this season, averaging 19:30 of ice time. He has three goals and nine assists.
--The Minnesota Wild acquired defenseman Viktor Loov from the New Jersey Devils for forwards Christoph Bertschy and Mario Lucia.
Loov, 25, has two points in four career NHL games, stemming from a stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015-16. He had five goals and 12 assists in 36 games with Binghamton of the American Hockey League this season.
Bertschy played in one NHL game for the Wild this season and nine in his career (an assist is his lone point). The 23-year-old had eight goals and nine assists for Iowa of the AHL this season. Lucia has yet to make his NHL debut.
--Field Level Media
