New York Rangers’ Erik Gustafsson out day-to-day with upper-body injury

The injury itself is relative to an incident that occurred in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout win over the Florida Panthers when Panthers’ forward Sam Reinhart caught Gustafsson with an elbow during overtime.

Gustafsson has registered six goals and 24 assists for 30 points in 70 games this season with New York. He ranks second among Rangers defensemen and seventh among Rangers skaters.

The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Rangers back on July 1. He split the 2022-23 campaign between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs. While with the Capitals, he notched seven goals and 31 assists for 38 points in 61 games. While with the Leafs, he picked up four assists in nine games of action. Additionally, he played two playoff games for the Leafs, scoring one goal.

The Nynäshamn, Sweden product has bounced around throughout his career, initially drafted No. 93 overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2012 NHL Draft, his rights were moved to the Chicago Blackhawks. After a dominating performance with Frolunda in the Champions Hockey League, which saw him lead the tournament in goals, assists and points by a defenseman, he embarked on his pro career. He made his NHL debut in 2015-16, recording 14 assists in 41 games.

In 2017-18 he was named to the AHL All-Star Game, and in 2018-19 got full-time minutes with the Blackhawks, where he recorded a career-high 17 goals and 43 assists for 60 points in 79 games. In 2020-21 Gustafsson was on the Montreal Canadiens roster during their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final; he notched three points in 16 playoff games.