Carl Hagelin won’t be eligible to make his season debut until the Rangers’ 11th game on Oct. 29 at Nassau Coliseum, against the Islanders, after being placed on long term injury reserve Monday in conjunction with the submission of the club’s 2013-14 roster.
But the news is better concerning Ryan Callahan, the Blueshirts’ other winger with a wounded wing, who was put on injured reserve and thus will be eligible to play as soon as he is deemed fit by the medical and training staff.
The captain has been ruled out of Thursday night’s opener in Phoenix, but may be able to play as soon as next week’s California Tour when the Blueshirts will be in L.A. on Monday, San Jose on Tuesday and Anaheim on Oct. 10.
Hagelin and Callahan both underwent surgeries to repair damaged labrums immediately following the Rangers’ second-round elimination by the Bruins. The surgery on Hagelin was more complex than the one on Callahan. Thus, the longer recovery time.
The move to place Hagelin on LTI frees up to $2.25 million of cap space until the winger is restored to active duty.
The Blueshirts, who had the day off Monday, will skate at their practice facility Tuesday and Wednesday before leaving for the opening portion of their nine-game trip. The club will return home following Game 5 in St. Louis on Oct. 12 before matches in Washington on Oct. 16, New Jersey on Oct. 19, Philadelphia on Oct. 24 and Detroit on Oct. 26. The Garden opener is Oct. 28 against Montreal.
Darroll Powe, Stu Bickel and Brandon Mashinter cleared waivers and were officially assigned to the AHL Wolf Pack. The 28-year-old Powe has not played in the minors since a short stint with the AHL Phantoms in 2008-09.