The New York Rangers say forwards Vitali Kravtsov and Jake Leschyshyn will not play on Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings because of roster management reasons.
Roster management reasons, on the surface, would seem to be similar to the 'trade-related reasons' wording other teams have used.
Kravtsov can become an unrestricted free agent this summer as he is playing on a one-year, $875,000 deal, while Leschyshyn is on the first year of a three-year, $2.3-million contract.
The Rangers claimed Leschyshyn off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights in January. He is pointless in 35 combined games this season.
Kravtsov, who has been scratched for the team's previous five games, has three goals and three assists in 28 games this season. He was a first-round pick (ninth overall) of the Rangers in 2018.
