from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,
The Rangers’ workmanlike 2-1 victory over the Devils at the Garden on Monday cannot obscure how Ryan McDonagh’s concussion complicates matters for general manager Jeff Gorton as the Feb. 29 trade deadline approaches.
For the issue as it applies specifically to pending free agent Keith Yandle is no longer black and white in the aftermath of the grey matter rattled inside the captain’s skull as a result of the gloved sucker punch he took on the jaw from Wayne Simmonds in Philadelphia on Saturday.
There is no rule of thumb to apply to recovery time from brain injuries. The Rangers have not released any information regarding the severity of McDonagh’s symptoms, but they were bad enough that he did not make it to the rink at all Monday.
Is this going to be a long-term or short-term absence? It is folly to hazard a guess. But the injury clouds Gorton’s mandate. If McDonagh’s symptoms persist, the Rangers obviously cannot even think about dealing Yandle, who led the team in ice time both against the Flyers and the Devils, getting 27:33 and 25:19, respectively.
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.