The New York Rangers already appear to be regaining some of their ammunition for the second half of the season. After their 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers, the Rangers announced that they've activated Ryan Callahan and Vinny Prospal from injured reserve. The Rangers had six players on IR -- and have already lost 193 man-games to injuries this season.
Callahan has been out of the Rangers' lineup since breaking his hand on a blocked shot on Dec. 15 in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Though the Rangers won't announce for sure that he will be back in the lineup until after the break, Callahan is likely to re-join the team for their first game back on Feb. 1 against Pittsburgh. He will have missed 19 games if he returns.
Prospal has been on IR essentially since training camp after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired right knee. He then had another surgery on that knee on Oct. 18 and has been rehabbing it ever since. The 35-year-old was a key contributor for the Rangers last season and also meshed well with Marian Gaborik. He scored 20 goals and added 38 assists last season. As of now, it is unclear whether Prospal will return Feb. 1, but it is clear that his return is close.
The Blueshirts have also sent down Michael Del Zotto, Evgeny Grachev, Brodie Dupont, Kris Newbury and Chad Kolarik to the Connecticut Whale because the AHL-affiliate has games during the All-Star break. Some will be brought back up when the Rangers resume play, but that won't be decided for at least a week and will hinge on the Rangers' injury situation.