Connor Mackey skated on Adam Fox’s left side in Thursday’s Garden preseason match against the Bruins, but it was young Victor Mancini who received the opportunity to skate with No. 23 at Friday’s varsity practice as the Blueshirts seek a replacement for Ryan Lindgren, down for “a few weeks” with an upper-body injury.
Mancini, the 22-year-old, fifth-round, 159th-overall selection of the 2022 draft out of Nebraska-Omaha, has been a singular sensation at camp, emerging from the periphery to merit inclusion in the session that included eight defensemen, 14 forwards and two goaltenders.
K’Andre Miller skated with Jacob Trouba, Zac Jones was on Braden Schneider’s left while Mackey skated with Chad Ruhwedel.
Mancini, a righty, appeared comfortable on his off-side, though this was obviously not a game.
“I think some people really struggle on their off side, and some people don’t care. It doesn’t matter,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “The conversation was that he played [left] in the past.
“And so, there’s an opportunity for somebody to jump in and fill the spot right now, so we’re looking at all possibilities.”
It is unclear what “a few weeks” means as it relates to Lindgren’s absence in the wake of the injury he sustained Sept. 24 in a fight with the Islanders’ Scott Mayfield.
The Rangers open Oct. 9 in Pittsburgh and play another four games by Oct. 19.
Brennan Othmann and Jonny Brodzinski were spare forwards at practice, rotating in on drills.
Sam Carrick centered the fourth line between Jimmy Vesey and Matt Rempe.
Adam Edstrom, who has had an impressive camp, skated with the ‘B’ group earlier in the day.
Edstrom does not require waivers to get to Hartford.
That could well play into any decision general manager Chris Drury and the hierarchy reach regarding the 6-foot-6 Swede, who will turn 24 on Oct. 12.
Ben Harpur, Jake Leschyshyn and Alex Belzile were placed on waivers Friday while goaltender Talyn Boyko was assigned to the AHL Wolf Pack.
Blueshirts are off Saturday before resuming practice Sunday ahead of a back-to-back Monday and Tuesday at New Jersey and at home against the Devils, respectively.
They wrap up the preseason slate on the Island on Oct. 4.
