NEW YORK — Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said center Derek Stepan will miss four to six weeks because of broken ribs.
Vigneault made the announcement Monday morning following the New York Rangers’ morning skate.
Stepan injured the ribs in Friday’s loss to the Boston Bruins. He has six goals and six assists in 23 games this season.
The Rangers host the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night.
The Rangers called up Jayson Megna from their American Hockey League affiliate. Megna had 12 points and eight penalty minutes in 21 games with the Hartford Wolfpack.
Stepan had been examined by a doctor Saturday, one day after he was injured in New York’s 4-3 loss to the Boston. The center was checked by Bruins left wing Matt Beleskey after making a pass in the second period.
Beleskey was not penalized for the hit and he did not receive supplemental discipline from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
“Those are things that are very tough for coaches and management to comment on,” Vigneault before Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. “Was it a late it? In our opinion, it definitely was. Should we help (Stepan) moving forward to better protect himself? We’re going to try to do that.”
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