The Rangers returned to practice Wednesday morning, before their early afternoon flight to Raleigh, and standing out among the players on the ice was the newest Blueshirt, 6-foot-8 John Scott, who was acquired from the Blackhawks on Monday. However, noticably absent was the team's captain Ryan Callahan.
Callahan, who has scored eight goals in his last ten games, did not skate with his teammates Wednesday due to a bruised foot. The severity of the injury is not known, and the team terms his absence as "day to day".
"Obviously Cally got banged up," explained head coach John Tortorella after the practice. "I don't know what our lineup will be (Thursday against the Hurricanes)."
During the practice veteran Ruslan Fedotenko moved up into Callahan's spot on the right side of Brad Richards and Carl Hagelin, while Scott handled Fedotenko's usual duties alongside Mike Rupp and John Mitchell. After practice Scott, who said he is more comfortable playing the defense position but can handle either forward or defense, said he was "super excited" about landing on Broadway.
"I was surprised, shocked, but super excited when I got the news," Scott recounted after practice. "When I got the call I thought I was being sent down. When I heard I was being traded to one of the best teams in the league I couldn't have been happier. I just want to come in here and fit in. I don't want to mess anything up because they have a good thing going here."
Scott joked that he appreciated the party the team threw for him upon his arrival on Tuesday. In truth, Scott arrived from Chicago just in time for the team's annual Casino Night event at Gotham Hall.
"The fans were great, really welcomed me and made me feel a part of everything," said Scott. "Now I've gone from The Second City (Chicago) to the number one city here in the States."
As far as Scott's debut, Tortorella said he had no plans to change the lineup at present unless forced to do so because of injury.
"I like our lineup right now," said Tortorella.
