AP source: Rangers’ Wheeler out for season with an injury

Blake Wheeler’s regular season is over after injuring his right leg while falling to the ice, and it might take the New York Rangers going on a lengthy playoff run to open the door for a potential return this spring.

Wheeler was placed on long-term injured reserve Friday and is out for at least the rest of the NHL regular season, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not provided an update on Wheeler’s status.

The 37-year-old forward went down in pain with his right leg bending at an unnatural angle 11 minutes into New York’s game against Montreal on Thursday night. He was unable to put weight on that leg and needed help getting off the ice.

It’s unlikely that Wheeler will be able to return in the playoffs, which begin April 22, but the Rangers are not ruling out that possibility depending on his recovery and how far they advance.

Captain Jacob Trouba, who played six seasons with Wheeler with the Winnipeg Jets, said Friday it was an emotional time around the Rangers in light of the significant injury.

“He’s obviously going through something that no one wants to go through, so there’s more to it than just the impact on the team,” Trouba said. “I think we all care a lot about the hockey and our jobs, but we’re also humans and friends and have families outside of the rink. And I’m not saying this is true, but maybe he played his last hockey game.”

Stadium Series teams test out ice at MetLife Stadium

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Things seemed to be very relaxed as the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils took turns testing the ice on the recently installed rink at MetLife Stadium in preparation for two big games in the NHL’s Stadium Series this weekend.

Instead of loosening up for the workouts, each of the teams skated onto the ice and gathered for team photos. The practices were a little different.

The Flyers, who had arrived after playing a game in Toronto on Thursday night, seemed to be stretching their legs and getting used to the ice a day before facing the Devils on Saturday.

The Rangers and Devils, who played at home on Thursday, ran some full-speed drills although the Devils were on the ice about 20 minutes less than the Rangers, who will play the Islanders on Sunday. The Islanders practiced on the surface on Thursday.