Injuries are part of sports. For the Rangers, they’ll have to deal with some adversity early. The team announced that Derek Stepan suffered a fractured left fibula. The injury was sustained during practice earlier today. The top center will be examined further to determine how long he’ll be out.

Certainly, you don’t want to start a season without your number one center. That’s exactly what the Rangers have to do as they begin defense of an Eastern Conference title. Having bought out Brad Richards and lost Brian Boyle to free agency, center depth is a question entering 2014-15. Now, it becomes a bigger issue for at least the first month. Derick Brassard is supposed to center the second line. Instead, he’ll likely anchor the top unit unless coach Alain Vigneault decides to sub Dominic Moore for Stepan similar to last Spring.

With competition for the third line between J.T. Miller, Matthew Lombardi, Oscar Lindberg, Kevin Hayes and Chris Mueller, Vigneault must determine who can help the team survive without Stepan. Depending on how long he’s out, it becomes imperative for whoever makes the club to be able to contribute. In their preseason home loss to the Devils Monday, Miller stood out setting up a pair of goals including a nice feed for a Ryan Malone power play goal. The 21-year old former 2011 first round pick must continue to distinguish himself. If he does, perhaps he can be counted on more from a coach who questioned his professionalism last season.

Assuming Miller makes it and there’s no reason to believe otherwise, that leaves four players for one center slot. Of the quartet, Lombardi is a proven NHLer who can center a bottom line. The 32-year old vet who signed this summer played last year in the Swiss League totaling 20 goals and 50 points in 40 games. While he won’t be expected to produce much offensively, Lombardi is capable of contributing as long as he stays healthy. With Moore likely to move up, pencil Lombardi in on the fourth line. Unless Lindberg or Hayes impress, they’ll probably start in Hartford. While I’d love to see either force their way on, it’s probably best for development. That leaves Mueller as a potential extra.

With Stepan going down, it’s easy to criticize general manager Glen Sather. Already we’ve seen the finger pointed at him for not signing Mike Ribeiro. You can’t look at it that way. Injuries happen. Based off one game, Tanner Glass at least gave us a glimmer of hope. He even helped set up Jesper Fast’s tying goal and killed penalties. While I’m no fan of him, you have to give Glass a chance. From a toughness standpoint, he can at least provide energy. There’s no guarantee he’ll play all 82. I wouldn’t expect it. You don’t have to dress him every night. Maybe a Fast or Ryan Bourque sneaks in.

It would be easy to panic now that Stepan will miss time. I’m not ready to yet. This is an experienced team coming off a run to the Stanley Cup Final. There are plenty of holdovers who should provide leadership. Minus Stepan, over half the roster were part of that run which included a 3-1 second round comeback for the first time in franchise history. That includes Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, John Moore, Kevin Klein, Brassard, Dominic Moore, Carl Hagelin, Rick Nash, Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello and Martin St. Louis. Miller, Fast and Cam Talbot were also part of it. That’s 16 players discounting Stepan who eventually will return. Don’t forget Dan Boyle is a proven vet who’ll help replace some of Richards’ leadership. That can’t be overlooked.

When it comes down to it, there’s plenty of reasons to believe this team should be okay. Undoubtedly, they’ll miss Stepan’s play making and skill set. He is a superb passer who plays on the top power play unit. Brassard is a strong power play player who notched seven PPG’s and set up others last year. He had great chemistry with Zuccarello. With Benoit Pouliot gone, Nash could replace him allowing Kreider and St. Louis to play together on the first line. It’ll be up to Kreider, St. Louis, Nash and Zuccarello to produce. Don’t forget Hagelin, who had a good postseason tallying seven goals and 12 points. If vet Lee Stempniak can offset Pouliot, there should be enough scoring depth.

It really becomes about how well Brassard plays in Stepan’s absence. He’ll need to be more consistent. A slow first half was followed by a strong second half in which his line became one Vigneault could count on. In the first year of a new deal that pays him $25 million over the next five years, it’s time for Brassard to reach the next level. There’s no reason he can’t produce between 50-60 points. The Blueshirts need him to.

It could always be worse. Look no further than Carolina and Jordan Staal, who suffered a broken leg during their preseason game against Buffalo Tuesday night. He could be out a lot longer than Stepan. The point being that at least Stepan’s injury isn’t going to keep him out long-term. I’d rather the Rangers’ Iron Man get hurt now than during the season. He’ll be back. It’s important for the club not to rush him back. No matter what happens, they must be patient. Barring a horrible start, they’ll be fine.