November 8, 2012
Rangers in Europe: Hagelin back in the Big Apple
by Michael Rappaport/Correspondent
Carl Hagelin's shoulder injury may be worse than originally expected. (Getty Images)
As the European leagues enter their two-week break, a few of the New York Rangers in Europe are making news off the ice.
Carl Hagelin | Sodertalje SK
Hagelin missed a game last week with what was diagnosed as a bruised shoulder. However, the injury might be more serious than what Hagelin and the doctors originally thought.
As reported by Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the Swedish speedster flew back to New York in order to rehab his shoulder. Although Hagelin is back in the Big Apple, the lockout puts the 24-year-old in a predicament for rehabbing the injury.
Since Hagelin was not injured at the time of the lockout, he is unable to use the MSG Training Center in Tarrytown, New York, or rehab with any members of the Rangers’ training staff.
Hagelin can see a specialist of his own choice. Fortunately for the Rangers, Brooks reported that no surgery is necessary on the left wing’s shoulder.
Henrik Lundqvist
Although Lundqvist is not playing in his native Sweden, the 2006 Gold Medal winner has been critical of the Swedish Elite League.
Last year’s Vezina Trophy winner published a series of tweets in which he wondered aloud why there aren’t more NHL players in the SEL during the lockout. As the Puck Daddy blog at Yahoo Sports noted, three of the top Swedish players in the NHL -- Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Backstrom, and Victor Hedman -- are playing in different European leagues while the lockout continues.
As for Lundqvist, he is in an interesting predicament as well. The 30-year-old has stated that he wants to stay in shape by playing with his old club, the Frolunda Indians in the Swedish Elite League. However, due to the SEL’s rules regarding contracts for NHL players, Lundqvist won’t sign a contract with Frolunda in the immediate future.
Although he isn’t playing any games with the Indians, “Hank” is practicing with the club.
Mike Rappaport can be reached at feedback@nyhockeyjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeRappaport92.
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