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Rangers’ Adam Edstrom took part in the first fight of his hockey career

Rangers’ Adam Edstrom took part in the first fight of his hockey career

Adam Edstrom had never really dropped his gloves and fought anyone in his entire hockey career — until Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

The 6-foot-2 rookie had not even had two minutes of ice time in the Rangers’ 5-6 overtime loss to Utah when he was caught up in a scramble in front of the net.

After a faceoff at center ice, Edstrom and the rest of the fourth line earned a chance from the rush before it was snuffed out by Utah goaltender Connor Ingram.


Adam Edstrom gets into a fight during the Rangers’ loss to Utah on October 12, 2024. Getty Images

Utah forward Jack McBain began attacking Edstrom while behind them Sam Carrick and Michael Kesselring broke out in a scuffle.

When Edstrom and McBain dropped the gloves, they were considered the second fight to break out and received a game-misconduct penalty.

So was Edstrom preparing for this moment this summer?

“Yeah, I mean, I talked to this guy,” Edstrom said with a smile, pointing to Matt Rempe in the locker next to him. “He knows what he’s doing out there. Just protect yourself whenever it happens.”

Little did Edstrom know that Carrick and Kesselring began fighting as he grappled with McBain, whom the Swede credited with holding up his end of the fight.

It effectively ended Edstrom’s night.


Adam Edstrom gets into a fight during the Rangers' loss to Utah on October 12, 2024.
Adam Edstrom gets into a fight during the Rangers’ loss to Utah on October 12, 2024. NHLI via Getty Images

Peter Laviolette said any time a player adds a new layer to his game, the Rangers head coach considers it a positive.

“We played well,” Edstrom said of his line. “The first game we played pretty solid, we got a plus-one rating. Yesterday the game was perhaps rather rough. I feel like whenever we’re out there we just try to bring some energy to the team, get the pucks down low and just play a solid game.”

Ryan Lindgren continues to practice with the Rangers in a green non-contact jersey and full face shield.

After an optional practice on Sunday, the Rangers will face the Red Wings twice in four nights.

Monday and Thursday it will serve as a sort of home-and-home series.

The Blueshirts begin at Madison Square Garden on Monday and then head to Detroit for game two on Thursday, which also marks the start of their three-city road trip.

The Rangers then travel to Toronto and Montreal.