The Rangers announced today that Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider remain out with undisclosed injuries, paving the way for Cristoval Nieves to make his NHL debut. Nieves will wear #67, and will become the 1025th player to appear in a regular season game for the New York Rangers.
Drafted in 2012 in the second round, Nieves caught the eye of Head Coach Alain Vigneault during training camp, and was one of the last players to be sent down. He brings speed and size to the lnie-up, and is second in points for the Hartford Wolf Pack with one goal and five assists.
Nieves played for the University of Michigan last season, picking up 10 goals and 21 assists in 35 games, before turning pro and getting an eight game cameo with the Hartford Wolf Pack.