Rangers Place Matthew Robertson on Waivers

Just four games into the season, the New York Rangers have placed another defenseman on waivers. As mentioned last week, carrying eight defensemen was never going to be a long-term solution, and after losing Joe Veleno to an injury Sunday night against the Utah Mammoth, the Rangers have decided to place Matthew Robertson on waivers.

Despite making the opening-night roster, Robertson has yet to play a game this season. He had a promising 18-point season in New York last year, his first full year in the NHL. However, with Alberts Smits playing as well as he has and Drew Fortescue being a waiver-free option on the left side, Robertson draws the short end of the stick, with Scott Morrow remaining the extra defenseman.

At the time of writing, the Rangers have not made a corresponding roster move, nor have they provided an update on Veleno's status beyond the fact that he will not play Tuesday. Matt Rempe slotted in for Veleno on the fourth line at Monday's practice, with Oliver Bjorkstrand taking reps as the center on that line.

The Rangers could call up Cole Beaudoin, who is off to a terrific start in the AHL this season.

In terms of center options, they also have Juuso Parssinen, Dylan Roobroeck, Glenn Gawdin, and Justin Dowling, all of whom can slot in as the fourth-line center on a short-term basis. Otherwise, Rempe would likely slot back in either as the center himself or on the wing with Bjorkstrand as a center.

There is another option that makes all the sense in the world if it weren't for the salary cap. Also on waivers is 25-year-old center Connor Zary. The former 24th overall pick in the 2020 draft has one assist in two games played with the Calgary Flames this season. The Flames have struggled to find a trade partner for him, ultimately resulting in the decision to waive him.

If the Rangers were in a better cap situation (like not paying a backup goaltender $3 million), a Robertson-for-Zary trade would make plenty of sense, seeing as the Rangers need centers and the Flames need defense.

The Rangers are set to take on the New York Islanders at home Tuesday night and will have until then to decide whether they want to recall a center if Veleno does indeed miss significant time.