Adam Fox comes off IR, returns to lineup in huge Rangers boost

The New York Rangers welcomed back defenseman Adam Fox as he was activated off injured reserve ahead of their matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night. The 27-year-old had missed the previous eight games due to an upper-body injury sustained in a game against the Islanders.

Head coach Peter Laviolette had hinted at Fox’s return, stating that the defenseman was trending in the right direction. Fox’s absence was felt by the team, as he is one of their top producers and minute-eaters on the blue line. His return was eagerly anticipated by both the coaching staff and teammates.

This injury stint was the second-longest of Fox’s NHL career, with a previous knee injury last season causing him to miss 10 consecutive games. Despite his injuries, Fox has been a consistent point producer for the Rangers, registering points in his last seven games with two goals and six assists.

Fox’s return also meant a reshuffling of the defensive pairings and power-play units. He reclaimed his spot on the top power-play unit alongside key offensive players like Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin. This move pushed Zac Jones to quarterback the second power-play unit.

In preparation for Fox’s return, Carson Soucy was slated to be a healthy scratch for the game against the Blue Jackets. The defenseman had put in extra work during the morning skate, but ultimately sat out the game along with Calvin de Haan and Juuso Parssinen.

Overall, Fox’s return was a welcome sight for the Rangers, as they look to make a push towards the playoffs with their top defenseman back in the lineup. His presence on the ice will provide a much-needed boost to the team’s defensive and offensive capabilities as they continue their quest for postseason success.