Rangers Cut Goalie After Just One Start, Another Star Hits IR

The New York Rangers made two roster moves ahead of their upcoming game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

According to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, the Rangers placed defenseman Sean Durzi on the injured reserve with an undisclosed ailment.

Additionally, New York placed netminder James Reimer on waivers, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.

Neither transaction is surprising.

DURZI ON IR

Durzi, 28, hasn't played since the Rangers' October 26 matchup against the Los Angeles Kings.

Because it has already been 10 days since he suffered the injury, the Rangers can activate Durzi when he is fully healthy.

It doesn't sound like he's too far away.

Earlier this morning, Remy Mastey of The Hockey News quoted head coach Mike Sullivan, saying, "I don't know that he's going to make the trip initially. I think it all depends on how he progresses, whether he comes initially on the road trip with us. If he doesn't, I would anticipate him joining us. Something of that nature."

After tonight's game against the Flyers, New York has a four-game road trip through the NHL's Pacific Division.

Once Durzi returns, he'll likely resume his role in the Rangers' top-four next to Marcus Pettersson.

The defensive pairing has played nearly 190 minutes together this season, earning a 44.4% xGoals% according to MoneyPuck.

Durzi has scored two goals and five points in 14 games with a -1 rating in his first year with the Rangers.

The Durzi injury is very odd, as the Rangers have been quiet and haven't even classified it as upper body or lower body.

Placing Durzi on IR doesn't free up cap space, but does actually free up a roster spot for a recall if that's the plan.

The Rangers are heading west after tonight's game against the Flyers, so they could be doing this to free up a spare spot to travel next week.

With Sean Durzi on IR retroactive to October 26, it means he is eligible to be removed from IR as soon as he's ready, since he's already hit the seven-day mark.

REIMER ON WAIVERS

Reimer has expectedly landed on the waiver wire.

Yesterday morning, New York assigned injured netminder Joonas Korpisalo to the AHL on a conditioning stint.

In his first game back from injury, Korpisalo stopped 34 of 37 shots (.918 SV%) in the loss to the AHL's Hershey Bears, indicating he is ready to return.

Still, even if he clears waivers in the next 24 hours, Reimer will likely remain on the roster until Korpisalo is fully healthy, since he'll have the additional flexibility.

Gino Hard reported that Reimer allowed three goals on eight shots in his lone appearance, and that it came as Korpisalo nears a return.

That outing is the whole story of Reimer's season in New York.

One game played, one period, three goals against, and now a waiver wire.

Reimer's Rangers debut on October 27 turned ugly fast, and it left head coach Mike Sullivan with another problem in goal.

Reimer is 38 years old and has 539 regular-season games on his NHL résumé.

He was never going to be a long-term answer, but nobody expected the experiment to end after 20 minutes.

Korpisalo is listed on injured reserve with a foot injury, and according to the latest injury report he is expected to be out until at least Nov. 9.

That date is an estimate, but it gives the Rangers a clear window.

Once he is healthy, there is no room for a third goalie who has already shown he can't hold a game together.