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New York Rangers top-line center Derek Stepan will miss four to six weeks after fracturing his fibula during a conditioning drill Wednesday. The Rangers announced the injury Wednesday, saying that the 24-year-old Stepan suffered a non-displaced fracture to the fibula.  Rangers coach Alain Vigneault told reporters that it was a non-contact injury for Stepan, who scored 17 goals and a career-high 57 points last season for the Eastern Conference champion Rangers. Stepan missed a scrimmage on Sunday and preseason game on Monday with a leg injury. After several X-rays, he was cleared to take part in fitness testing on Wednesday. Vigneault said Stepan got hurt despite having three X-rays and "feeling really good the last 48 hours." Vigneault says after the final X-ray, "everything looked normal and good to go. Then he stepped on the ice and unfortunately got hurt." Even before Stepan's injury, the Rangers were harboring concerns with their depth down the middle. The departure of Brad Richards, bought out this past summer, left a significant hole in New York's lineup, one the team hoped to fill from within. In the wake of Wednesday's injury, even more opportunity awaits young centers such as J.T. Miller, Oscar Lindberg and Kevin Hayes. Derick Brassard, originally assumed to slot in as second-line center, will see his role increase, as will veteran Dominic Moore, who centered the Rangers' fourth line last season. Free-agent newcomers Chris Mueller and Matthew Lombardi both likely will compete for the chance to center one of New York's other lines. ESPN.com's Katie Strang and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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