Mike Rupp played in the Rangers’ first seven games before going down with a left knee injury that required surgery on Nov. 9, but the winger, who returned to the lineup Saturday night in Phoenix after an absence of 22 games, said it feels as if the season is just beginning.
“Oh, for sure, it feels like the start for me,” Rupp, who will play his second straight tonight when the Rangers face the Devils in New Jersey, told The Post following yesterday’s practice. “I’m even trying not to mess up the practice drills. I’ve got to get used to them.
“There’s just a totally different mindset after being out for so long and watching from up top.”
Rupp, who signed a three-year contract with the Rangers this summer after two seasons with Pittsburgh that followed five years with New Jersey (with additional short terms with the Coyotes and Blue Jackets sprinkled into his career), said even though he needs to reacclimate on the ice, he is comfortable with his teammates.
“There have been a couple of teams in my career where you feel pretty secluded where you’re injured, but that hasn’t been the case here,” the 31-year-old winger said. “I was surprised in a good way that I was allowed to travel and be with the guys from day one of my injury.
“That allowed me to develop relationships, which is really important. I have to work to fit in hockey-wise, but socially it’s all there.”
Rupp played 8:41 against the Coyotes, his most ice since he got 10:09 in the Oct. 7 opener against the Kings in Stockholm. He had appeared slow through most of camp and the first seven games before leaving the lineup with a torn meniscus.
“I don’t want to use the knee as an excuse, I tried to battle through as well as I could, but I think some of my decisions on the ice were affected by how I was feeling,” said Rupp, who has recorded one point (a goal in Vancouver on Oct. 18) with an even rating while getting an average of 6:29 per. “I feel good now about being able to play the way I want to play and am expected to play.
“It’s an opportunity for me to hit the re-set button.”
***
The Rangers were able to fit recalled defensemen Stu Bickel and Tim Erixon under the cap after placing Marc Staal and Wojtek Wolski on long-term injury exemption in a twin move believed made last week but not announced.
The NHL holiday roster freeze that went into effect at midnight lasts through midnight of Dec. 27. The moratorium prevents teams from making trades or assigning players to the minors, though the latter prohibition does not apply to Bickel and Erixon as they were recalled under emergency conditions. A club can exceed the 23-man roster limit during the freeze by bringing a player off injured reserve.
***
Bickel, who played one year at the University of Minnesota and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Ducks before being sent to the Rangers last year in a minor-league transaction, is set to make his NHL debut.
“Anyone who knows my game knows I like to play physical,” said the 6-foot-4, 207-pound 25-year-old who has recorded 80 PIM’s, a plus-four rating and four points (1-3) in 27 games with the AHL Whale after an impressive camp with the Rangers. “I feel I’m ready for the opportunity.
“I’ll be a little nervous, but I’ll play my game. I’ll be able to handle it.”
***
Wolski, who underwent surgery on Nov. 7 to repair a sports hernia, is “7-to-10 days away,” from a return, according to coach John Tortorella.
***
Staal skated in the red practice jersey that Rangers’ defensemen wear after previously having been cloaked in green.
“Don’t make anything out of that,” said the defenseman, who is expecting to be cleared this week to participate for the first time in contact drills. “I just got sick of wearing that lime green.
“The guys know not to take a run at me. I feel pretty safe out there.”