Adam Sykora exited the Rangers’ preseason opener against the Devils with a lower-body injury after taking a crushing hit in the corner midway through the first period and appearing to favor his right leg.
Sykora, a 22-year-old forward who’s likely positioned to start the season with AHL Hartford but who flashed potential across his 11-game cameo with the Blueshirts last season, was chasing the puck when defenseman Mikael Diotte connected.
He twisted awkwardly into the boards and initially tried crawling toward the Rangers’ bench before starting to hobble over.
Anton Blidh, Liam Greentree and a Rangers trainer met Sykora on the ice to help him the rest of the way, and he immediately continued down the tunnel — and the Rangers ruled him out early in the second period.
Sykora played his way into a chance with the Rangers at the end of their lost season in 2025-26, impressing with his energizing play and the jolt he provided.
He collected three goals and four points across his stint, in addition to 12 goals and 29 points across 62 AHL games.
He started Monday’s preseason opener at the Prudential Center skating alongside Juuso Parssinen and Justin Dowling, and Sykora had likely positioned himself as a call-up option for the Blueshirts during the season.
