It took a little bit of adjusting, but Carson Soucy seems to be getting comfortable with the New York Rangers.

High expectations were placed on Soucy once the Rangers traded for him one day before the NHL Trade Deadline.

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury claimed that Soucy could be a player who helps New York into next season since he’ll still be under contract. 

That’s why it was a surprise when Soucy got scratched for three consecutive games shortly after he was acquired. 

The 30-year-old defenseman was inserted back into the lineup and has played in the last two games for the Blueshirts. 

Peter Laviolette feels Soucy is continuing to progress in this new environment. 

“We thought that Soucy was coming in and figuring out the system,” Laviolette said, via Larry Brooks of the New York Post. “I actually thought his game was pretty good. There are always things we go back and teach, but I’d be fine with any of the defensemen we have here.

The emergence of Soucy has left Urho Vaakanainen as the odd man out. 

Vaakanainen held a consistent role in the lineup since he was traded from the Anaheim Ducks in December.

Vaakanainen’s benching isn’t a personal slight to him though, at least according to Laviolette who admitted he feels bad for the 26-year-old defenseman. 

“It’s unfortunate, Vaaks has played really well for us and I like him, and did Calvin de Haan when he came in for us, but we’ve got eight defensemen here,” Laviolette said. “This goes back to what I said before, you’re making decisions, Vaaks was in, Soucy and de Haan were out, we went with that for a couple of games and now we’ve made a switch.”

By the way Monday’s practice shaped up, Soucy is expected to play against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night while Vaakanainen will likely be scratched out of the lineup.