New York Rangers’ Jimmy Vesey Injury Creates Opportunity for Adam Edstrom & Jonny Brodzinski – The Hockey Writers – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are without a key defender as Ryan Lindgren has an upper-body injury. Now, reliable forward Jimmy Vesey is expected to miss a few weeks with a lower-body injury. The winger is coming off a strong season on the bottom six so he will be missed but the injury also creates an opportunity for Jonny Brodzinski and Adam Edstrom.

What Jonny Brodzinski Brings to the Rangers

Brodzinski is entering his fifth season with the Rangers’ organization though he spent most of his first three seasons with them playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL.) He was dominant in the AHL but struggled in the NHL and was held to three goals and two assists in 44 games over his first three seasons with the Blueshirts.

Last season, Brodzinski continued his excellent play with the Wolf Pack and had 11 goals and 14 assists in 16 games. Rangers’ forwards Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko both missed extended time with injuries last season, and Brodzinski got another shot in the NHL.

Related: Rangers Will Have Solid Center Depth if Everyone Remains Healthy

Brodzinski is a fast skater and he was able to quickly get in on the forecheck. Unlike in past seasons, he also contributed offensively in a bottom-six role. In his first seven games, he had five assists and scored on a slap shot in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 10. He spent some time playing center but was primarily used as a winger. He finished the regular season with six goals and 13 assists in 57 games and earned a two-season, one-way contract extension.

While Brodzinski brings NHL experience and speed to the lineup, he is not a very physical player and had just 34 hits last season. However, neither is Vesey and he has proven to be a valuable fourth liner. The Rangers are expected to have a couple of physical fourth liners in the lineup in Matt Rempe and Sam Carrick and the hope is Brodzinski could add some scoring to the fourth line.

Brodzinski should be able to provide the Rangers reliable play with and without the puck. In the offensive zone, he has an impressive wrist shot and has a shoot-first mentality which can help create rebounds for his linemates. He may not be flashy but he did a nice job when he got his chance to stay in the lineup last season.

What Adam Edstrom Brings to the Rangers

The Rangers…