NHL: Montreal Canadiens at New York Rangers — Jimmy Vesey is week-to-week with an upper body injury

3 Jimmy Vesey replacements for NY Rangers in Game 3 vs Florida Panthers

Modified May 26, 2024 17:11 GMT

New York Rangers left winger Jimmy Vesey is listed as week-to-week by head coach Peter Laviolette after suffering an injury from a hit by Florida Panthers' Ryan Lomberg in Game 2. After 26 points in 80 games during the regular season, while skating 12:23 a night, Vesey had three points in 12 playoff games and averaged 11:11 minutes.

As a Rangers' bottom-six forward, he didn't find his name on the scoresheet that often, but he played a pivotal role in helping them reach the Eastern Conference final. Now that he may be unavailable for the rest of the playoffs, which Rangers player will slot into his position?

3 Jimmy Vesey replacements for NY Rangers in Game 3 vs Florida Panthers

#1. Jonny Brodzinski

Jonny Brodzinski played 57 games and tallied 19 points in the regular season in 11:08 of ice time a game. After making his Stanley Cup playoff debut (one game) in 2021-22, he's drawn into the lineup twice in 2024, playing in Games 4 and 6 of the second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Thus far, Brodzinski has registered one shot on goal, is minus one, and has played 17:34 over two games. If he gets the nod in Game 3, he won't be relied on to score goals but will do his best not to be on the ice for a goal against and win an occasional faceoff.

#2. Blake Wheeler

Blake Wheeler suffered a season-ending leg injury on February 15. Although the initial injury looked gruesome and potentially career-ending, he's been working out and skating with the team over the past few weeks.

Ahead of the Eastern Conference final, Wheeler was cleared to play but has not gotten back into the lineup. Overcoming his leg injury in a short time frame is impressive already, but the fact that he's ready to play in the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is inspiring.

At 37, this is one of the last chances he could get to win a championship. He is a savvy veteran who could bring a spark to the lineup and serve as the player everyone rallies around to get the job done. Despite not playing competitively for months, he'll be rusty but in a limited role, he could be a significant contributor without scoring.

#3. Kaapo Kakko

Kaapo Kakko is a former second-overall pick who still hasn't blossomed into the player the Rangers had hoped for when they drafted him in 2019. After reaching 40 points in 2022-23, he regressed to 19 points in 2023-24 and may not return to the team after this campaign.

In 11 playoff games, Kakko has two points, a goal, and an assist and is minus one. During the regular season, he was skating 13:17 a night but is now down to 11:34, becoming a healthy scratch for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final.

Considering it's slim pickings for Laviolette to replace Vesey, Kakko is the logical choice despite the lack of production. Out of everyone available to slot into the bottom six, he's the only one who has logged the most minutes recently and can potentially find his offensive spark after a night off.