The New York Rangers placed defenseman Matthew Robertson on waivers Monday, creating roster space and salary cap room to address a shortage at the center position ahead of Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders. The move comes as center Joe Veleno remains sidelined due to a lower-body injury sustained on Sunday, with his status still under evaluation.

Veleno, who did not participate in Monday’s practice, has also played a role on the Rangers’ penalty kill unit. Oliver Bjorkstrand took Veleno’s spot during Monday’s practice session, signaling the team’s intention to fill the void left by the injured forward. The Rangers entered Monday with just $461,686 in available salary cap space, according to PuckPedia.

The decision to place Robertson on waivers highlights the team’s challenge managing its roster amid limited depth at center. With their 23-man roster, the Blueshirts faced a difficult choice, opting to expose a piece of their defensive depth just one week into the regular season. In addition to Veleno, the Rangers had options among call-up candidates that include Justin Dowling, Glenn Gawdin, Cole Beaudoin, Dylan Roobroeck, and Juuso Parssinen, all of whom showed potential for center roles during training camp. The team also retained forwards Matt Rempe and Jaroslav Chmelar, both of whom primarily skate on the wing, which contributed to the roster crunch.

Robertson, a second-round draft selection from 2019, appeared in 72 games for the Rangers last season. However, his playing time diminished as rookie defenseman and fifth overall pick Alberts Smits secured a spot in the lineup. Robertson made the team out of training camp this season alongside fellow defenseman Scott Morrow, with the Rangers carrying eight defensemen to open the year.

The Rangers will monitor the waiver process over the next 24 hours to determine whether Robertson is claimed by another team, a development that would reduce the club’s defensive depth. The move reflects the ongoing balancing act faced by NHL teams in managing rosters and cap space, particularly early in the season when injuries can have an immediate impact.