Rangers Place Sean Durzi On IR; Waive James Reimer

The New York Rangers made two roster moves ahead of their upcoming game against the Philadelphia Flyers. According to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, the Rangers placed defenseman Sean Durzi on the injured reserve with an undisclosed ailment. Additionally, New York placed netminder James Reimer on waivers, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.

Neither transaction is surprising. Durzi, 28, hasn’t played since the Rangers’ October 26th matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. Because it has already been 10 days since he suffered the injury, the Rangers can activate Durzi when he is fully healthy. It doesn’t sound like he’s too far away.

Earlier this morning, Remy Mastey of The Hockey News quoted head coach Mike Sullivan, saying, “I don’t know that he’s going to make the trip initially. I think it all depends on how he progresses, whether he comes initially on the road trip with us. If he doesn’t, I would anticipate him joining us. Something of that nature.” After tonight’s game against the Flyers, New York has a four-game road trip through the NHL’s Pacific Division.

Once Durzi returns, he’ll likely resume his role in the Rangers’ top-four next to Marcus Pettersson. The defensive pairing has played nearly 190 minutes together this season, earning a 44.4% xGoals% according to MoneyPuck. Durzi has scored two goals and five points in 14 games with a -1 rating in his first year with the Rangers.

Meanwhile, Reimer has expectedly landed on the waiver wire. Yesterday morning, New York assigned injured netminder Joonas Korpisalo to the AHL on a conditioning stint. In his first game back from injury, Korpisalo stopped 34 of 37 shots (.918 SV%) in the loss to the AHL’s Hershey Bears, indicating he is ready to return. Still, even if he clears waivers in the next 24 hours, Reimer will likely remain on the roster until Korpisalo is fully healthy, since he’ll have the additional flexibility.