EDMONTON, Alberta — Alberts Smits is considered week to week with an upper-body injury, the Rangers announced Monday.
The rookie defenseman had appeared in all 17 games for the Rangers before he was a last-minute scratch for the win over Seattle on Saturday. Despite taking warmups against the Kraken, Smits ultimately didn’t dress and watched from the press box with the other scratches for the first time this season.
“I don’t know exactly when it happened,” head coach Mike Sullivan said before the Rangers fell 3-1 to the Oilers at Rogers Place on Monday. “It wasn’t during warmup, but yes, obviously, he was dealing with it. I don’t know the exact time.”
Smits is the second Rangers defenseman to go down with an injury this season, after the Rangers put Sean Durzi on injured reserve with a lower-body injury last week. Durzi participated in an optional morning skate Monday in a red noncontact jersey, which indicates the 28-year-old blueliner is progressing toward a return after missing his fifth straight game.
Since his injury is retroactive to Oct. 26, however, Durzi can be activated and slot back into the Rangers lineup at any time.
Their pair has been a bit of a weak spot for the Rangers this season, but Smits continues to adjust to the NHL game.
Among the 46 defense pairs who have logged at least 140 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time, Braden Schneider and Smits’ 3.63 expected goals against per 60 is the second highest, per Natural Stat Trick.
The only duo with a higher rate is the Sharks’ Michael Kesselring and Darnell Nurse (3.82 xGA/60).
“I think Smitty’s learning curve has been steep,” Sullivan said. “I think he’s getting better and better with every game he’s played. I’ve said to you guys all along, I think No. 1, playing defense in this league is the hardest position to play for so many reasons. That’s a huge challenge for an 18-year-old kid to step into the NHL and play that position. I think he’s done an admirable job. He’s big, he’s strong, he has a good stick, he has mobility, he closes on people, he has a quiet confidence about him. He’s learning on the job, so to speak. We think he’s getting better and better. We’re excited about potentially where his game will eventually grow to.”
With Smits and Durzi both unavailable again, defensemen Scott Morrow and Matthew Robertson both remained in the lineup.
After he was scratched the last time the Blueshirts were in Edmonton, Robertson played in front of his home crowd for the first time.
“It’d be super, super meaningful,” he said. “Be a really cool experience getting to play in front of your hometown, family and friends in the building. It’s a game I’ve really wanted to play for a long time. It’s something you dream of growing up, playing in front of your hometown.”
Luke Glendening returned to the Rangers lineup Monday night after serving as a healthy scratch the past three games.
As a result, Matt Rempe was the odd man out for the 14th time this season.
Bobby Sheehan, who played a notable role in the Rangers’ run to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final, died Saturday at his Massachusetts home, the Canadiens announced.
He was 77 years old. A cause of death was not revealed.
“We join the hockey community in mourning the loss of Bobby Sheehan, who played an integral role in helping the Rangers advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 1979,” the Rangers said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Bobby’s family, friends, and former teammates during this difficult time.”
