Depth at center may get tested

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

Joe Veleno left the New York Rangers' game early due to a lower-body injury sustained in a collision, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming matches. The team may need to rely on center prospects like Cole Beaudoin to fill the gap if Veleno's recovery takes longer than expected.

The New York Rangers may face challenges at center following a lower-body injury to Joe Veleno during their 4-2 victory over the Colorado Mammoth on Sunday night. The 26-year-old center exited early in the first period after an awkward collision along the boards with Clayton Keller. Veleno struggled to reach the bench and required assistance to leave the ice, ultimately not returning for the remainder of the game.

Head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that Veleno was still undergoing evaluation and did not provide a specific update, suggesting more information might be available on Monday. Veleno did not put any weight on his right leg while leaving the ice, raising concerns about the severity of the injury.

The Rangers’ depth at center could be tested as a result. This offseason, the team focused on strengthening its options at the position, acquiring Cole Beaudoin as part of the Filip Chytil trade with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1. Beaudoin, seen as one of the club’s top center prospects, has only appeared in two professional games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate. It remains uncertain whether the organization will accelerate his promotion or allow him to continue developing in the AHL.

In addition to Beaudoin, other center prospects in Hartford include Justin Dowling, Glenn Gawdin, Juuso Parissinen, and Dylan Roobroecks. The club’s ability to utilize these players effectively could be crucial if Veleno’s absence extends beyond this game.

Sullivan also noted encouraging developments with winger Tye Kartye, who has been skating on the second line alongside J.T. Miller and Pavel Dorofeyev following a strong performance against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. The coach described the ongoing efforts to evaluate different line combinations aimed at maximizing the team’s success.

Additionally, Mika Zibanejad recorded an assist on a goal by Gabe Perreault during Sunday’s game, moving past franchise legend Mark Messier to claim sixth place in Rangers history for most assists on go-ahead goals, now totaling 134.

The Rangers will monitor Veleno’s condition closely as they prepare for upcoming games, weighing their options at center to maintain competitive balance on the ice.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.