Rangers injury update: Jimmy Vesey exits practice early

Jimmy Vesey is being evaluated for a lower-body injury sustained in New York Rangers practice on Sunday.

“It seemed somewhat harmless,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said after practice.

Worrisome, though, is that it appeared to be a non-contact injury. Vesey was hurt during drills, limped off the ice and didn’t return.

The versatile 31-year-old forward was replaced by Adam Edstrom on the fourth line for the remainder of practice. Edstrom had been rotating in prior to that, with Sam Carrick and Matt Rempe also getting fourth-line reps.

Though too soon to speculate, should Vesey miss any time, that would allow both Edstrom and Rempe to play on a towering fourth line. Edstrom stands 6-foot-7 and Rempe is 6-foot-8. Carrick centers that line and is rugged 6-footer, who weighs 205 pounds.

Edstrom has two goals and one assist in two preseason games for the Rangers, including the game-winner late in the third period Tuesday against the Islanders. He also scored three goals in two rookie games before the preseason.

Vesey is scoreless in two preseason games. Carrick and Rempe are scoreless in one game each.

Rangers await medical word on injured forward Jimmy Vesey

In his second stint with the Rangers, Vesey has been a valuable bottom-six forward the past two seasons. He had 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 80 games last season and 25 points 11 goals, 14 assists) in 81 games in 2022-23.

After Blake Wheeler sustained a knee injury in February last season, Vesey moved up to play in the top six on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. He moved back down the lineup after Jack Roslovic was acquired prior to the trade deadline.

Vesey played 12 of New York’s 16 games in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs and had three points (one goal, two assists). He sustained a separated shoulder against the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final.