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Rangers Daily: Trocheck deserves MSG love; Barkov lands on LTIR
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- Rangers Daily: Trocheck deserves MSG love; Barkov lands on LTIR
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As much as the New York Rangers deserve a rousing ovation when they hit the ice Sunday at Madison Square Garden to host the Utah Mammoth, there's someone else whom the Blueshirts Faithful should salute with a long, loud welcome home.
Vincent Trocheck.
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The 33-year-old forward returns to MSG for the first time since the Rangers traded him to the Mammoth on July 1. And the fans should absolutely throw their collective arms around him in a massive group hug.
That's because there was never anything not to love about Trocheck being a New York Ranger. He was a heart-and-soul player, diligent and committed on both sides of the puck, a skilled NHL All-Star who was more blue collar than anything else. He averaged 22 minutes a game over four seasons wearing the Blueshirt, and played big in the biggest games. Three different Rangers coaches in his four years here trusted him just about more than anyone else no matter the game situation.
He was voted winner of the prestigious Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award in the memorable 2023-24 season, and was among the favorites as runner-up the next two seasons, which were far more disappointing for the team. No matter the circumstances, Trocheck's effort never was in question. And when the Rangers needed someone to step forward as their voice and leader after captain Jacob Trouba was traded and amid much strife involving the front office in 2024-25, Trocheck filled that void.
Plus, Trocheck and his family loved their time in New York, fully embraced all that comes with playing for the Rangers on the big stage in the greatest city in the world.
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Trocheck will always be one of us. A Pittsburgh kid who'll always be New Yorker from now on.
This isn't exactly Pete Alonso coming back to play against the Mets last this past summer. Nor Eddie Giacomin's return to MSG with the Detroit Red Wings mere days after the Rangers waived their goaltending legend in 1975.
But it's still a big deal.
"Yeah, it'll be nice to get it out of the way early. I don't want to be thinking about it," Trocheck told NHL.com. "I haven't really thought about it too much, but it'll be interesting. It'll be emotional."
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Yes, it'll be emotional. And deserving. Root hard for a Rangers win Sunday, and make sure to show Trocheck the love, as well.
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Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
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Florida Hockey Now:The Panthers placed Aleksander Barkov on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury, and George Richards reports that his prognosis will be determined after he's examined by team doctors. Barkov will miss at least 10 games or 24 days after landing on LTIR with what is believed to be a left-knee injury.
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TSN: Jake Sanderson didn't last long in the Ottawa Senators' season-opening 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. After missing most of the preseason with an undisclosed injury, the star defenseman left early in the opener on Saturday.
Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings remain at a contract impasse with Simon Edvinsson, and now word leaked that the young defenseman "prefers" to be traded as he works out back home in Sweden.
New York Post:Ethan Sears explains how the potential and future of what the Islanders could be — perhaps as early as this season — was on full display in their rollicking 6-0 win over the New Jersey Devils.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Daniel Amoia reports that it was a bit of a reality check at UBS Arena on Saturday for the Devils,
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Sportsnet: Among Michael Amato's "Sunday Overreactions," is that with a strong start to the 2026-27 season, Elias Pettersson is raising his trade value for the Vancouver Canucks.
Daily Faceoff:Former NHL defenseman Lyle Odelein, who played for the Devils and Montreal Canadiens among others, died from a heart attack this weekend at the age of 58.
Sportsnet: Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier left a 6-5 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins with an undisclosed injury after crashing head first into the boards following a hit.
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