The game has changed around Cody McLeod, but the newest Ranger has not.
“I’ve been in this league for a few years and haven’t changed my game and I don’t think I should,” the 11-year veteran winger, picked up from Nashville on waivers before the All-Star break, told The Post after joining the Blueshirts for Tuesday’s practice.
“I know that a lot of the physical part of the game and fighting is being phased out, but I think there’s still room for intensity in the game, and especially at this time of the year when the hitting picks up and the intensity is at its highest.
“Last year some of the nastiest games we played [were] in the playoffs against Anaheim. It ramps up now.”
Alain Vigneault said that McLeod — “Good energy guy, good teammate” — will be in the lineup for Thursday’s match against the Maple Leafs, though the coach did not indicate which forward will become the healthy scratch. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound, 33-year-old has taken Vinni Lettieri’s roster spot, with the youngster remaining with the AHL Wolf Pack following his healthy scratch last Thursday in San Jose.
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McLeod has engaged in six fights this season, tied for third-most in the NHL behind Micheal Haley (11) and Tom Wilson (8), per hockeyfights.com. His personal total exceeds the Rangers’ club total of five. He is credited with 146 career fights. The Rangers’ leader before his arrival was Brendan Smith, with 14.
Fact is, the Blueshirts haven’t had an enforcer in the lineup since Derek Boogaard’s tragic 2010-11 stint on Broadway.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s about fighting,” said McLeod, who has career totals of 71 goals, 53 assists, 124 points and 1,524 penalty minutes in 713 games in a career that was spent entirely in Colorado before last January’s trade to Nashville. “It’s about being intense.
“I was pretty surprised by the move, I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m excited. Playing for the Rangers and pulling on that jersey is going to be special.”
The question is: Just how early in the game will McLeod drop his gloves against the Maple Leafs’ designated puncher Matt Martin?
Henrik Lundqvist was excused from Tuesday’s practice as the club’s All-Star representative.
While Lettieri remained with the Wolf Pack, Tony DeAngelo and Peter Holland were recalled following their brief All-Star break reassignment to Hartford.