Rangers lose again, but face a bigger problem than the loss

The New York Rangers lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, 1-4, continuing their early-season irregular results, but that wasn't the worst part for the Blueshirts. The real blow came in the third period, when Adam Fox took a hit from Brandon Hagel and had to leave for the locker room.

Mike Sullivan's team has now recorded eight losses at home this season, and losing their best defenseman only makes things worse, considering the tight schedule and the need to rack up good results.

This season, Fox's impact has been evident. When he is on the ice, the team looks better. He has a six-game point streak and has accumulated 26 points in 27 games with three goals and 23 assists. He's the second-best defenseman in this category, only behind Cale Makar. Without him, the Rangers struggle with slower breakouts.

What options do the Rangers have to manage Adam Fox's absence?

The ideal scenario would be calling up Scott Morrow and pairing him with Vladislav Gavrikov. Morrow brings an offensive profile developed in the AHL and some NHL minutes with Carolina. Defense is his weak spot, which is exactly what Gavrikov provides. He's not comparable to Fox, but he's the alternative that least disrupts the dynamic.

Will Borgen and Braden Schneider are also options to replace him, but their chemistry with Gavrikov would not be the best. It is more convenient to consolidate the rest of the pairs and not destroy the chemistry developed by Sullivan. The main thing is not to define who accompanies the Russian, but to find a way to maintain the five-on-five pace without the player who is key to that goal.

December will have 15 games and minimal room for experiments. Without Fox, the Blueshirts will need Gavrikov to maintain his high level at both ends of the ice and for Morrow to provide quick outlets and support in transition, without unforced errors.