DALLAS — Out of necessity, Vinni Lettieri is getting another chance.
The Rangers called up the winger from AHL Hartford on Sunday to replace injured Jimmy Vesey, who was hurt on an unpenalized hit to the head from Filip Forsberg during the Blueshirts’ 5-2 loss to the Predators in Nashville on Saturday night.
There was no further update on Vesey’s condition besides the fact he got treatment Sunday, when the team canceled a scheduled practice in Nashville. As it is with most head injuries, it can be assumed Vesey is out indefinitely.
The Rangers went on this two-game trip with just 12 healthy forwards, so Lettieri will likely draw in for the game against the Stars on Monday night. Lettieri had one goal and four points in the 10 games he played with the Rangers after being called up just after Christmas. The shoot-first, right-hander was sent back down during the week-long All-Star break, but was not called back when the schedule resumed last week.
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Undrafted out of the University of Minnesota, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Lettieri will turn 23 Tuesday. He had 14 goals and 23 points in 35 games this season with the Wolf Pack, including a goal in the team’s 3-1 win over Providence on Saturday.
There was no further update on the condition of defenseman Marc Staal, who also received treatment on Sunday after suffering a gruesome and unpenalized hit to the head Saturday, this one from Alexei Emelin. The 31-year-old Staal has suffered at least three previous concussions, including one almost exactly a year ago.
Assuming Staal can’t play, it’s likely the one extra defenseman with the team, Steven Kampfer, would draw in after he had been a healthy scratch for five straight games and 22 of the previous 27.
The Rangers are already without winger Pavel Buchnevich, who suffered a concussion on an inadvertent elbow to the jaw from the Maple Leafs’ Jake Gardnier during the Blueshirts’ 4-0 loss Thursday. Already on injured reserve are Chris Kreider (rib resection) and Kevin Shattenkirk (knee surgery).
“Overall, it stinks. We’re losing too much, guys are out, but there’s only one way to turn it around — you have to start with yourself,” goalie Henrik Lundqvist said after the game Saturday. “It’s a tough time for us here, but there is no point in looking around the room and try to find excuses. Just start with ourselves and see what we can bring to table to make this team better.”