The New York Rangers will be without veteran forward Conor Sheary for the 2026 Winter Classic at LoanDepot Park in Miami, as the team has placed him on Long-Term Injured Reserve following a lower-body injury.
Sheary exited New York’s 6–3 loss to the Washington Capitals on New Year’s Eve, and the LTIR designation means he will miss a minimum of nine games and 23 days. His return timeline beyond that remains unclear, though the Rangers have already made roster moves to account for his absence.
Sheary’s injury leaves a noticeable gap in the Rangers’ bottom six. He logged 483 minutes at five-on-five this season, primarily in a depth role but with occasional appearances higher in the lineup.
While his offensive numbers were limited, his underlying metrics reflected a strong defensive impact, as opponents generated just 1.48 goals per 60 minutes when he was on the ice.
Although scoring has been an issue, Sheary’s defensive reliability helped him hold onto a regular spot in the lineup. With him sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Rangers now have an opening for younger players to step in and potentially provide similar defensive value with added offensive upside as the team navigates its growing injury situation.