Rangers place LW Shanahan on IR

Feb 18, 2007 - 8:44 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The New York Rangers on Sunday placed left wing Brendan Shanahan on injured reserve with a concussion.

Shanahan was released from St. Vincent's Hospital earlier Sunday, a day after he was taken from New York's game against the Philadelphia Flyers on a stretcher following a vicious open-ice collision in the third period.

The 38-year-old suffered a concussion after colliding with Mike Knuble and was taken to St. Vincent's to be examined. The Flyers' right wing also left the game after he broke the orbital bone and cheekbone on the right side of his face. He will undergo surgery once the swelling decreases.

Shanahan banged the back of his head on the ice and was unresponsive for a few moments. But he was talking to trainers as he left the ice to cheers from the crowd at Madison Square Garden.

Losing Shanahan for a significant period of time would be a major blow for the Rangers (28-25-5), who are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Toronto for the final playoff spot.

In his first season with the Rangers after signing a one-year, $4 million contract, Shanahan leads the team with 28 goals. The All-Star also has added 26 assists while playing in each game this campaign.

A 19-year veteran, Shanahan has tallied 626 goals and 1,286 points in 1,408 career games. He scored his 600th career goal as a member of the Rangers against the Capitals in the season opener on October 5.