New York Rangers center Derek Stepan cleared for contact
New York Rangers center Derek Stepan was cleared for contact Monday and has resumed regular practices.
The team tweeted a photo of Stepan in a regular jersey instead of the yellow non-contact jersey he wore when he returned to the ice last week.
Stepan has been recovering from a broken fibula he suffered in a non-contact drill during training camp. He participated in Tuesday’s optional practice, though it remains unlikely he will play on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings.
“The chances of me playing Derek Stepan tomorrow are very very slim,” coach Alain Vigneault said.
The 24-year-old joined the Rangers in 2010 after playing four years at Wisconsin. The Rangers signed him to a two-year, $6.15 million contract in September.
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The Rangers are 5-4-2 and play the Detroit Red Wings (6-2-3) at home on Wednesday.
- Danielle Zhu