Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck out for a month after lung infection surgery

Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck missed roughly a month of the 2025‑26 NHL season after a lung infection forced surgery.

His absence comes at a critical time for a team that hoped to build momentum early, and the loss of a top‑six forward tightens the Rangers’ depth chart and forces lineup shuffles.

Trocheck said the infection struck in the first month of the campaign, keeping him off the ice for about thirty days ^[1]. The ailment affected one of his lungs, according to medical reports from the hospital where he underwent the procedure ^[3].

Initially, Trocheck mistook the pain for back spasms, a misdiagnosis he later clarified in an interview with MSN Sports (India) ^[2]. "I initially mistook it for back spasms," he said.

Sources differ on the infection’s nature. ESPN reported it as a bacterial infection, while TheScore described it as viral. "It was a bacterial infection in one of my lungs that required surgery," Trocheck said ^[1]. "I thought I was dying," he said ^[5].

The surgery was performed at a New York hospital specializing in thoracic procedures, and doctors removed the infected tissue before Trocheck began rehabilitation ^[3]. He returned to practice after the month‑long hiatus, but missed ten regular‑season games and two preseason matches.

New York’s coach said Trocheck’s absence forced younger players into larger roles and altered power‑play rotations. The team’s win‑loss record in the games he missed slipped below .500, highlighting the forward’s importance to the Rangers’ offensive output.

**What this means** Trocheck’s month‑long layoff underscores the unpredictable health risks athletes face and the ripple effect a single player’s injury can have on a franchise’s early‑season performance. The Rangers will need to manage the roster carefully as Trocheck regains form, and the episode may prompt teams to revisit medical screening protocols for respiratory issues.