It didn’t take long for the New York Rangers to face some serious adversity this season. They confirmed Saturday that Vincent Trocheck is week to week with an upper-body injury.
Trocheck sustained the injury in a 4-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. His final shift of the game ended at 6:50 of the second period, though it wasn’t apparent when he was hurt or what the exact nature of the injury is. He left the bench and didn’t play again.
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The 32-year-old center is one of the most invaluable players on the Rangers roster. He plays on their top line with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere, as well as on the first power-play unit and penalty kill. Trocheck is also an elite face-off man, who finished third in the NHL last season at 59.3 percent.
Trocheck scored 26 goals in 2024-25 and set a career high with 77 points (25 goals, 52 assists) the prior season, when he represented the Rangers at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. He’s a seven-time 20-goal scorer who’s in his 13th NHL season.
Moreover, Trocheck’s leadership and non-stop motor, abrasiveness, and big-game persona will be missed on a Rangers team trying to rebound under new coach Mike Sullivan after a miserably disappointing season a year ago. Trocheck is one of New York’s alternate captains and most respected players within their dressing room.
Playing without Trocheck is unchartered territory for the Rangers. Since he signed a seven-year, $39.38 contract on July 13, 2022, Trocheck’s not missed a single game. He appeared in 248 regular-season contests, including the first two this season, and 23 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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