The Rangers have placed defenseman Sean Durzi on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. The move comes ahead of the team's matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers. Durzi's designation is retroactive to Oct. 26, meaning he has already fulfilled the minimum seven-day requirement and is eligible to be activated at any time.
Head coach Mike Sullivan stated on Thursday that Durzi might not initially join the upcoming road trip to Seattle and Western Canada, with his return depending on his progress. Durzi has been dealing with an injury for a couple of weeks, having reportedly blocked a shot with his hand in a previous game against the Ducks. However, a source refuted speculation of a hand injury, identifying it as a lower-body issue.
Durzi's absence has led to Scott Morrow skating in his third consecutive game on the right side of Alberts Smits. This IR placement marks the fourth player on the Rangers' lineup to be placed on injured reserve or long-term injured reserve this season.
In other team news, the Rangers waived goaltender James Reimer on Thursday. This move anticipates the return of Joonas Korpisalo, who has been sidelined since the season's start due to a foot infection. Korpisalo made 34 saves in his first conditioning assignment with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack on Wednesday, a game that ended in a 4-1 loss for Hartford. The Rangers received a positive report from Korpisalo, who could potentially play as early as Friday in Seattle, depending on his physical condition. The Rangers are scheduled to travel to Seattle on Friday and will be off the ice.