Concussed Mika out vs. Canes

The Rangers’ center depth will be significantly tested for an indefinite period of time as Mika Zibanejad is in concussion protocol and will at least be out for Friday’s game against Carolina.

Zibanejad, who has flourished this season in his new role as the club’s top center and leads the team with 11 goals and 22 points, was diagnosed with delayed onset of concussion symptoms, attributed to a Darren Helm hit he received in the corner late in the third period of last Friday’s game against Detroit.

The 24-year-old was slow to get up from the hit but spoke with doctors afterward, felt fine and was cleared, according to Alain Vigneault. Zibanejad took part in off-ice work on Saturday, played in Sunday afternoon’s game against Vancouver and then reported symptoms to the team Tuesday morning after Monday’s off day. Zibanejad fully participated in Tuesday’s morning skate and took line rushes before the game but was a late scratch.

“Tried to warm up, still didn’t feel well, so we shut him down,” Vigneault said.

David Desharnais was going to be scratched but stepped into Zibanejad’s spot between Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich, notching three assists in a 5-4 loss to Florida.

The veteran will remain there and on the top power-play unit for Friday’s game, and the Rangers will need more performances like his from Sunday to navigate however long this stretch without Zibanejad will be. Vigneault has already been playing J.T. Miller at center for the past five games to help patch up the middle.

First-round pick Filip Chytil broke camp with the Rangers but the 18-yearold was assigned to Hartford after playing two NHL games.

A new option emerged Thursday when the Rangers acquired 26-year-old center Peter Holland from Montreal for Adam Cracknell in a minor-league trade. Claimed off waivers from Dallas right before Chytil was sent down, Cracknell played four NHL games for the Blueshirts before clearing waivers and going to Hartford.

Holland, a first-round pick from the 2009 draft, has made NHL appearances with three clubs, most notably 174 games for the Maple Leafs.

“I remember him a little bit more when he was in Toronto. I thought he was a good player,” Vigneault said.

One silver lining for the Rangers is the expected return of captain Ryan McDonagh for Friday’s game.