New York Rangers head coach David Quinn announced that forward Boo Nieves is sidelined indefinitely. He is going through the NHL’s concussion protocol.

David Quinn said Boo Nieves is in concussion protocol. #NYR

— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) September 18, 2018

Boo Nieves Out with Concussion

Nieves suffered the injury in the third period of the Rangers first pre-season game vs the New Jersey Devils. He was hit in the head by Devils defencemen Eric Gryba. Nieves didn’t return to the game after taking the hit. He ended the game with 14 minutes in ice-time and two minutes in penalties.

In 29 NHL games with the Rangers, Nieves has scored one goal and eight assists for nine career points. He has also added 12 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers are 44.2 percent Corsi-for with a relative Corsi of -2.6. He was originally drafted in the second round, 59th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Rangers. Nieves signed a one-year,  $708,750 deal with the Rangers in July.

What This Means for the Future

Nieves spent the last two seasons playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack. He has scored eight goals along with 15 assists for 23 points in 48 games. He played his college hockey with the University of Michigan. With Nieves suffering the concussion it makes his chances of making the Rangers opening roster a lot longer. It is likely that he will look to start the season back in Hartford. The 24-year-old center will look to get healthy and impress in the AHL. The time is now for Nieves to show the Rangers that he should be part of the team’s rebuild moving forward. It will be interesting to see how soon Nieves is back on the ice after his concussion.

Main Photo: Cristoval Boo Nieves skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on September 23, 2017, in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Rangers 2-1.