Morning Skate Updates: Multiple Injury alert on tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames with severe players out

Tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames will be the first game action for Juuso Pärssinen since March 8 vs. Ottawa.

The Rangers provided several updates following their morning skate as they get ready to face the Calgary Flames tonight. As anticipated, it has been confirmed that Arthur Kaliyev will be sidelined for the rest of the regular season and any potential playoff games due to an upper-body injury.

#NYR say Arthur Kaliyev is out for the rest of the regular season and playoffs (if they make it) with an upper body injury.

— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) March 18, 2025

Kaliyev’s most recent game for the Rangers was in Winnipeg seven days ago, where Jets beat writer Ken Wiebe observed that he took a heavy hit from Luke Schenn, which appeared to aggravate his shoulder.

Luke Schenn with a crushing hit on Arthur Kaliyev, who went to the bench in pain. Looked like his right shoulder took the brunt of the check. He's staying on the bench for now and tryjng to loosen it up, but is getting some attention from the medical staff.

— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) March 12, 2025

As previously mentioned, Kaliyev’s situation is concerning, especially since he already missed most of the season due to a broken clavicle. His 14 appearances with the Rangers will ultimately stand as his only games this season—a tough break considering he managed to score three goals in that short span.

While the Rangers, as usual, haven’t disclosed specific details about the injury, it remains unclear whether it is directly related to his previous issues. However, given that it’s classified as an upper-body injury and resulted from a hit where his shoulder area made initial contact with the boards, the circumstances aren’t exactly reassuring.

Kaliyev is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, and another significant injury—paired with the Rangers’ depth at wing—could put his future with the team in question. It may also make securing a new contract more difficult. Hopefully, it’s nothing too serious, and a full offseason of recovery works in his favor. Wishing him the best moving forward.

On another note, it appears Jusso Pärssinen will return to the lineup, which is a positive development. However, as head coach Peter Laviolette has often emphasized, only 18 skaters can dress for a game, meaning someone has to sit out. This time, it looks like Brennan Othmann will be the odd man out, despite being part of one of the Rangers’ most effective lines in recent games.

#NYR morning skate lineup:

Panarin – Trocheck – Cuylle
Laf – JT – Zib
Kreider – Carrick – Parssinen
Berard – Brodz – Rempe

Miller – Borgen
Urho – Fox
Jones – Schneider

Looks like Othmann is coming out.

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) March 18, 2025

Although Othmann has yet to score in his 11 games with the Rangers this season, he has still managed to make an impact in a limited role. His chemistry with fellow former Wolf Pack teammates Jonny Brodzinski and Matt Rempe is evident, but it’s hard not to wonder what he might be capable of with more ice time. For now, that remains a question mark, as he becomes the latest young player to be shuffled out of Laviolette’s ever-changing lineup.

Brett Berard is also affected by the changes, as he moves down to the fourth line. Meanwhile, Jusso Pärssinen will take over the right-wing spot on the third line alongside Sam Carrick and Chris Kreider. Aside from these adjustments, the rest of the lineup is expected to remain unchanged.