Derek Stepan Breaks Leg, Out Indefinitely For Rangers
By Jason Byun
The preseason injury bug continues to strike. The New York Rangers announced that No. 1 centerman Derek Stepan suffered a fractured left fibula while doing a conditioning drill. The ailment will sideline the Rangers’ top pivot indefinitely, according to reports.
During a sprint, Stepan collapsed on the ice and clutched at his left leg. He needed assistance from Mats Zuccarello and Martin St. Louis to get off the ice.
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Stepan has been a dependable force for the New York Rangers. In his four seasons with the club, he has never missed a regular season contest. He missed his first NHL game ever during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens, where he was sidelined with a broken jaw, yet returned to play in the Rangers’ final seven games of the postseason.
Stepan has 73 goals and 197 points in the 294 regular season games he’s played for the Rangers, as well as 10 more goals and 29 more points in 61 postseason contests. With this injury, the Rangers will most likely turn to Derick Brassard as their No. 1 center for the time being.
This is a major blow to the Rangers. They made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last season, largely in part of their depth. However, players such as Benoit Pouliot, Anton Stralman, Brad Richards, and Brian Boyle all departed in the offseason, which weakened the depth of their team. Now, the Rangers are down their best center, which is arguably the most critical piece of a hockey team.
There is no timetable on when Stepan can start to rehab his leg and skate, let alone return to NHL action. The Rangers open their 2014-2015 season on the road at the Scottrade Center against the St. Louis Blues on October 9th.
Jason Byun is one of the editors for Pucks of a Feather. He can be found on Twitter. For more Anaheim Ducks coverage, follow Pucks of a Feather on Twitter or like us on Facebook.