NEW YORK — Sean Avery will make his season debut against the Canadiens tonight at Madison Square Garden, but the Rangers will be without two others.
Forward Wojtek Wolski will miss the game with a strained groin and Mike Rupp, who signed a three-year, $4.5 million contract in July, will be gone even longer.
Rupp, 31, who has not skated since Oct. 24, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next week, said coach John Tortorella, who was not specific on the exact reason for the procedure or the length of time that Rupp would miss. Rupp has played seven games, with one goal.
Wolski, who was scheduled for an MRI, re-aggravated an injury in the first period against the Ducks on Thursday night that caused him to miss five games. Avery, who cleared waivers Tuesday, will be in the lineup in his spot.
Coyotes send Miele to minors.
The Coyotes assigned forward Andy Miele to the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League.
Miele appeared in five games for the Coyotes without scoring a point. The small but quick forward had three goals and four assists in four games with Portland before being recalled Oct. 21.
Last year’s Hobey Baker Award winner as college hockey’s best player, Miele was signed as an undrafted college free agent by Phoenix in April.
