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The New York Rangers are adjusting to a significant lineup change due to Blake Wheeler's season-ending injury. Wheeler, a former captain for the NHL Jets, is potentially facing the end of his hockey career, eliciting emotional reactions from teammates and the hockey community. Chris Kreider described Wheeler's injury as "heartbreaking," while Jacob Trouba, having played many years with Wheeler in Winnipeg, expressed deep emotion, suggesting Wheeler might have played his last game and stating, "It's emotional." In response to Wheeler's absence, Jimmy Vesey has been promoted to the Rangers' top line alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, a move confirmed by Rangers coach Peter Laviolette. Laviolette described Vesey's fit in the top line as "seamless," indicating a strategic adjustment ahead of the Rangers' participation in the NHL Stadium Series, with Vesey replacing Wheeler. The team's dynamics and lineup changes come at a crucial time as they prepare for the highly anticipated Stadium Series, adding another layer of intensity to the event.
Patrick Roy: “I want to say thank you to the police and fire department for supporting us in this event.” #Isles #StadiumSeries https://t.co/FvRRGjMwea
#Isles Patrick Roy to open press conference: "I just want to say thank you to the police and the fire department for supporting us in this event."
JG Pageau: “I hope we have the wind at our back.” #Isles
#Isles Ryan Pulock ahead of Stadium Series: "I think the magnitude for us and where we are in the standings and the points that we need to try to collect here is what's important. And then obviously against the Rangers, no matter where it is, it's always a fun game."
“I never thought I’d be the shortest guy on the line by 5 inches” - Barclay Goodrow on playing with Adam Edstrom (6’8) and Matt Rempe (6’7). #NYR
Stadium Series threads for the Islanders and Rangers 🔥 (📷: @NHL) https://t.co/rim5v4neot
Round 2 of the #StadiumSeries this afternoon 👀 Who ya got - Rangers or Islanders? https://t.co/VpOPMH97gc
NHL Stadium Series prediction: Islanders vs. Rangers odds, pick https://t.co/ZJkdiaZR7u https://t.co/xDXiudOq1A
Shesterkin, Sorokin continue journey at Stadium Series for Rangers, Islanders https://t.co/x4lTyGZ4bM
"It's a battle of will and pride whenever we play [the Rangers]" #Islanders right winger Cal Clutterbuck talks about the Stadium Series matchup against the #Rangers https://t.co/Bux7BgzCVO https://t.co/EBp9QhYzaj
"This is a big stage and [the players] are lucky to be part of this" Patrick Roy talks about the #Islanders preparation for tomorrow's Stadium Series game against the rival #Rangers https://t.co/YmQowD62kb https://t.co/7yWjANzt3D
#Islanders centre Bo Horvat talks about the anticipation of the Stadium Series matchup vs the #Rangers https://t.co/iedYwKn0AG https://t.co/ZYEYNRdu1E
#Rangers forward Barclay Goodrow talks about tomorrow's Stadium Series matchup against the #Islanders https://t.co/1uTZrL0yK2 https://t.co/m8qKgyA14J
"It's New York vs New York, it's gonna be a great game" Peter Laviolette talks the lineup and #Rangers rivalry with the #Islanders before tomorrow's Stadium Series matchup https://t.co/i3Bp6uuM6K https://t.co/12gWNczJPJ
Rangers’ NHL 2024 Stadium Series matchup with Islanders will have plenty on the line https://t.co/NC6VqmXIhn https://t.co/JVWqpBdWiP
ICYMI: #NYR Matt Rempe confirmed he's 6-foot-8 AND a half today. Oh & he's likely to make his #NHL debut in front of 70,000 fans tomorrow. My story ⤵️ https://t.co/jizSDd0XuU
"We're looking to...not be a perfect team. And that's everybody doing the right things at the right time. So it all starts with practice [...] I think we're definitely ready to go." #Isles Bo Horvat's Thoughts Ahead of Stadium Series After Intense Week https://t.co/PWIA9Tivwi
The height debate is over: Matt Rempe says he is 6,8 and a half. Adam Edström says he is 6,7. #NYR
ICYMI: #NYR move on without Blake Wheeler and turn to Jimmy Vesey to replace him on top line. Full story from MetLife ⤵️ https://t.co/8BpftEopWO
"We lost a friend" I caught up with #NYR Trouba, Kreider, Mika & others to discuss season-ending Wheeler injury Read full story ⤵️ https://t.co/nio2yBFNsH
"That's what he's trying to build here, a group that's relentless, a group that doesn't stop and continues to push even when your backs against the wall." #Isles Casey Cizikas Provides Valuable Insight Into Patrick Roy's Mindset @TheHockeyNews https://t.co/QgsnTTnjgl
Observations from yesterday's #NYR outdoor practice -- on Blake Wheeler's season-ending injury and the emotional reaction it elicited from the locker room, Jimmy Vesey getting the first chance to step up, and setting the scene for the NHL Stadium Series 👇https://t.co/yqf7JJ9eoz
Rangers roll into Stadium Series while Isles eye playoff push https://t.co/EN3eQE76Fj https://t.co/rJ5ne3c9fb
“Maybe he played his last hockey game [last night]. It's emotional.” As the @NYRangers feel the weight of losing Blake Wheeler, the rookie they called up is preparing to make NHL history. My story from the Stadium Series in NJ: https://t.co/8xPbw6fEFc
#NYR Peter Laviolette on the impact of losing Blake Wheeler for the season, promoting Jimmy Vesey to the first line to replace him and the atmosphere he expects at MetLife Stadium https://t.co/HefQFPKTol
We’ll have plenty of time to dissect what the #NYR do to replace Blake Wheeler, but Jacob Trouba eloquently reminded everyone about the emotional impact of these injuries. More reaction from the locker room + observations from Friday’s outdoor practice 👇🏼 https://t.co/yqf7JJ9Me7
"Heartbreaking" #NYR players react to season-ending injury sustained by Blake Wheeler. My story from MetLife ⤵️ https://t.co/nio2yBGlif
"It feels good to be rewarded" Jimmy Vesey moves up to #NYR top line for #StadiumSeries after Blake Wheeler injury. My latest from MetLife @4EverBlueshirts ⤵️ https://t.co/8BpftEopWO
#NYR coach Peter Laviolette on Jimmy Vesey skating on top line: “We’ll practice like that tomorrow. I know that Jimmy has moved up the lineup. I know he’s played in a bunch of different roles in his time in New York. Some of that has been with Mika and Kreids. To me, that’s...
All Chris Kreider had for me on Blake Wheeler injury before stopping himself because he was getting emotional was this: "Heartbreaking" #NYR
Jacob Trouba has clearly been affected by Blake Wheeler's season-ending injury. "I'm not saying this is true, but maybe he played his last hockey game and as a player, as a friend, someone I came into this league with and has taught me so much, it's emotional."
Laviolette not ready to commit to Rempe in lineup Sunday. But he seems good to go with Vesey replacing Wheeler on top line #NYR
Laviolette didn’t want to confirm anything yet regarding Rempe stepping into the lineup, but he did say the plan is to keep Vesey with Kreider and Zibanejad. He called it a “seamless” fit. #NYR
Trouba, talking about Wheeler, with whom he played a lot of years in Winnipeg: “I’m not saying this is true, but maybe he’s played his last hockey game… It’s emotional.”
Trouba with a very thoughtful answer on Wheeler: “Yeah, we need a new RW now, but we lost a friend. We lost our teammate… I’m not saying this is true, but maybe he played his last hockey game… It’s emotional. It’s something you think about. You don’t take things for granted.”
Chris Kreider said it’s hard to talk about Blake Wheeler’s injury. “It’s heartbreaking.”
From all the way up in the MetLife press box, where independent media have to stay while team/NHL media get to watch from the field, it looks like Jimmy Vesey is skating on the #NYR top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider
As far as I can tell, Jimmy Vesey is wearing the same color as Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. As expected, it looks like that will be a thing. #NYR
Tough news for former #NHLJets captain Blake Wheeler 👇 https://t.co/uGdN6BoVv9