The New York Rangers face a significant challenge as they navigate the loss of All-Star defenseman Adam Fox, who has been placed on long-term injured reserve due to a left arm injury. This setback comes at a crucial time, as the team has been searching for consistency in their current season. In a bold move, Rangers coach Mike Sullivan will experiment with a five-forward power-play unit, a strategy he implemented during the latter part of the recent home loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
To kick off this new approach, high-profile winger Artemi Panarin will take on the role typically occupied by Fox on the power play, working alongside forwards Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, and Will Cuylle. During Monday’s practice in Tarrytown, the group honed their strategies, aiming to maintain the offensive momentum that their power-play has displayed in recent weeks.
Panarin, who is tied with Fox for the team’s scoring lead with 26 points, expressed his concern over the impact of Fox’s absence. “He is a great player who generates for us,” Panarin remarked, highlighting Fox’s pivotal role in transitioning the puck from defense to offense and his expertise during power plays. Despite his limited experience in this role, Panarin is ready to step up. “I think I have more options and more play with the puck,” he added, recognizing the importance of adapting quickly to maintain the team’s performance.
Sullivan believes that Panarin’s exceptional vision and shot placement make him an ideal candidate to take over the point position, as the Rangers explore fresh tactics to optimize their power play. The team has shown commendable improvement recently, especially with a power-play success rate of 40 percent over the last nine games, which ranks as the best in the NHL at the moment.
The coach decided against using veteran defensemen such as Braden Schneider or Vladislav Gavrikov for this position, citing that their strengths do not align with the demands of the role as effectively. Instead, he is considering the potential of 23-year-old rookie Scott Morrow, who practiced on the second power-play unit with other forwards. Sullivan emphasized the need for Morrow to play more decisively to capitalize on this opportunity.
The Rangers’ ability to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity may be the key to overcoming the challenges posed by Fox’s injury. They will look to leverage their collective strengths and creativity as the season progresses, aiming to build on their recent successes and ultimately find their footing in the competitive NHL landscape.