With Ryan Lindgren nearing a return from his upper-body injury, the New York Rangers face a challenging decision regarding their defensive lineup.
Initially, it was expected that rookie Victor Mancini would head back to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack once Lindgren was healthy. However, Mancini’s strong performance has made that assumption less certain, as it raises the question of whether he or Zac Jones should be taken out of the lineup. There’s also the possibility that Chad Ruhwedel could be sent down instead.
Mancini has proven himself worthy of an NHL spot with the Rangers. Although he hasn’t scored yet, he has integrated well into the third defensive pairing alongside Jones.
The 22-year-old nearly netted his first NHL goal against the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday, but it was disallowed due to Matt Rempe being in the crease. On Monday, Mancini showcased his skills by creating a scoring opportunity with a strong rush on the right wing, only to be stopped by Detroit Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon.
In his three games with the Rangers, Mancini has averaged 15:12 in ice time, is tied for third on the team with seven shots on goal, and ranks fourth with five blocked shots. At 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds, he combines size and speed, demonstrating that he can effectively perform as an NHL defenseman.
