With Drew Fortescue drawing back into New York's lineup on Monday in Florida, Urho Vaakanainen will be the odd-man out and a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old stay-at-home defensemen has appeared in 80 games with the Rangers in the last two seasons, but has only managed two goals and 21 points.
Vaakanainen suffered a lower-body injury vs. the Devils on Wednesday and is going to miss some time. The Rangers labeled him as week-to-week, so expect players like Connor Mackey to remain in the lineup for the foreseeable future.
Vaakanainen exited Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils due to an upper-body injury after only playing five shifts in the first period. The 27-year-old Finnish defenseman is averaging 13:48 time-on-ice and has six assists in 33 games this season. New York recalled Connor Mackey from Hartford (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Vincent Iorio will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Vaakanainen to re-enter the lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old Vaakanainen has not played since February 5th. He is averaging 13:53 time-on-ice and has four assists in 27 games this season.
With Carson Soucy being held out of the lineup for trade-related reasons, Vaakanainen will suit up as his replacement on the blueline. The 27-year-old Vaakanainen has three assists in 22 games this season.
Vaakanainen has been in and out of the lineup lately and will return to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old defenseman is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice and has three assists in 19 games.
Scott Morrow will draw back into New York's lineup on Friday against Boston, sending Vaakanainen to the sidelines as healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Vaakanainen is averaging 14:33 time-on-ice and has three points (0G / 3A) in 16 games this season.
Vaakanainen is battling a lower-body injury and will not play on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 26-year-old Finnish defenseman is averaging 14:53 time-on-ice and has one points (0G / 1A) in 10 games this season. Matthew Robertson will draw into the lineup as Vaakanainen's replacement.
Vaakanainen is battling a lower-body injury and his status for Tuesday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes is uncertain. The 26-year-old Finnish defenseman is averaging 14:53 time-on-ice and has one points (0G / 1A) in 10 games this season.
Matthew Robertson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks, allowing Vaakanainen to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Vaakanainen has not played in over a week. He has zero points and is averaging 15:02 time-on-ice in seven games.
Vaakanainen will dress in the Rangers season finale after Carson Soucy was a late scratch due to illness. Vaakanainen has two goals and 14 assists in 50 games this season.
Zac Jones will draw back into New York's lineup on Monday against the Florida Panthers, resulting in Vaakanainen being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Vaakanainen is averaging 16:22 time-on-ice and has 16 points (2G / 14A) in 50 games this season.
Vaakanainen was acquired in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks earlier this season and has earned himself a two-year, $3.10 million contract extension with the Rangers. The 26-year-old defenseman has averaged 15:599 time-on-ice and scored nine points (2G / 7A) in 30 games with the Rangers this season.
