Rangers’ Sykora out 4-5 months with lower-body injury

A tough blow for a promising youngster out East.

On Wednesday, the New York Rangers revealed that forward Adam Sykora will be out 4-5 months with a lower-body injury.

The injury occurred during the Rangers’ preseason matchup on Monday night against the rival New Jersey Devils. Near the halfway mark of the first period, Sykora was caught with a firm hit from Devils defenseman Mikael Diotte. The hit sent Sykora hard into the boards, with his right leg awkwardly getting twisted underneath him.

Sykora struggled to get back to his feet and needed help from his teammates to get off the ice. He didn’t return to the game.

The Slovakian winger registered just 2:49 of ice time across four shifts before getting hurt.

It’s unwanted news for the team and Sykora, who had a reasonable chance of cracking the opening night roster. After spending the first few years of his pro career in North America in the minors, the 22-year-old finally made his NHL debut last season. He appeared in 11 games for the struggling Blueshirts, scoring three goals and four points. He also had an even plus/minus while averaging 11:10 of ice time per game. With the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, he notched 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points.

Sykora is heading into the final season of his three-year, entry-level contract. The deal has an AAV of $961,667.

The former second-round pick has posted 29 goals and 53 assists for 82 points in 201 regular-season contests in the AHL, with another four assists in 14 Calder Cup Playoff games.

The Rangers have two more preseason games before opening the 2026-27 regular season on Sept. 29 against the Boston Bruins.