Rangers Welcome Carson Soucy

The Rangers didn’t have to wait long for defenseman Carson Soucy after his trade. He left his rivalry with the Islanders just in time to engage in a home series against his former team.

“That was special. It’s not something that happens often,” said Rangers manager Mike Sullivan about Soucy’s quick involvement. “Soos is a solid player who really put in the effort. We had a chat, and that was part of our discussion. I appreciated our time together, and he’s a true professional.”

“It’s just part of the game and the reality of the situation we’re in,” he added.

The Rangers, currently at the bottom of the 16-team Eastern Conference, traded 31-year-old Soucy to the Islanders on Monday night in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026. This was likely just the beginning of a series of moves that general manager Chris Drury might make before the trade deadline on March 6.

“This situation certainly impacts players like Soos, who are a bit older. Chris is aiming to rejuvenate the team and make it more competitive moving forward,” Sullivan noted.

In Monday’s 4-3 overtime victory against Boston, Sullivan expressed satisfaction with forward Matt Lempe’s performance. It was his first game back in over two weeks after dealing with a lingering left thumb injury from October. Lempe made two hits and had a solid presence on the ice for nearly nine minutes.

“Our medical team is consistently working with him, keeping an eye on his strength and fitness,” Sullivan explained. “Lemps needs to feel comfortable and ready to make an impact when he returns to full strength. I thought he looked good last night.”