Derek Stepan: Suffers Fractured Fibula, Out Indefinitely

Stepan suffered a fractured fibula during his conditioning test Wednesday and has been ruled out indefinitely, Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record reports.

Analysis:

Stepan will remain under evaluation by doctors Wednesday, with an update on a potential recovery timetable likely to be relayed later in the day. The fracture is believed to be inter-related to the foot contusion Stepan suffered while blocking a shot during an informal skate Sept. 9, an injury that was evidently more serious than the Rangers had initially thought. With the 24-year-old likely out for quite some time due to the injury, it's probably safe to bump him down several spots on the cheat sheet, but unless the Rangers end up ruling him out for the season, he's most likely still worth stashing until he returns to full health. The Rangers have no obvious candidate to assume one of the top two center spots while Stepan is out, but youngsters J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes and Oscar Lindberg might warrant the most intrigue among the potential replacements.