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The New York Rangers entered free company with restricted cap area to work with. Taking that into consideration, the membership was unlikely to make any vital additions, however as an alternative introduced in some depth gamers who’re within the combine for taking part in time. Here’s a have a look at 4 notable additions who’re able to make the 2023-24 opening-night roster.
Blake Wheeler
The Winnipeg Jets determined to buy out the final year of Blake Wheeler’s contract on June 30 and positioned him on unconditional waivers. The Jets’ former captain then agreed to a one-year, $800,000 take care of the Rangers on July 1.
Wheeler, 36, has seen a decline in his offensive manufacturing following back-to-back seasons of 91 factors in 2017-18 and 2018-19. He completed with 16 objectives and 39 assists final season and added six factors in 5 contests in the course of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Hockey Writers’ Jacob Billington wrote that Wheeler has nice imaginative and prescient, is an efficient passer, and has an excellent probability of excelling offensively, notably on the ability play, subsequent season. However, Billington additionally famous some considerations with the signing, together with Wheeler’s skating capacity and that Jets head coach Rick Bowness stripped him of the ‘C’ (which he’d worn since 2016) earlier than final season.
Related: Rangers News & Rumors: Perreault, Wheeler, Quick and More
Bowness defined the choice by stating that the club needed a “new voice,” and the aim was to “expand the leadership base within our hockey team.” Wheeler will be a part of a Rangers’ membership with loads of present leaders, together with former Winnipeg teammate, captain Jacob Trouba, and alternate captains Barclay Goodrow, Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider.
However, the shortage of depth on the right-wing place ought to give Wheeler an opportunity to start the season within the Rangers’ high six. He could not be a 20-goal scorer, however he can nonetheless contribute offensively, particularly if he’s on the identical line as Vincent Trocheck, Panarin, Zibanejad, or Kreider.
Grade: B-
Erik Gustafsson
Erik Gustafsson agreed to a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Rangers on July 1. He started final season with the Washington Capitals earlier than being acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 28 for defenseman Rasmus Sandin and a first-round choose (Easton Cowen) within the 2023 NHL Draft.
Gustafsson is predicted to compete with Zac Jones for a spot on the third defensive pairing in coaching camp. Assuming the Rangers signal restricted free agent Okay’Andre Miller this offseason, Gustafsson might start the marketing campaign as New York’s seventh defenseman, if Jones earns a spot on the third pairing reverse Braden Schneider.
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Gustafsson has confirmed he can contribute offensively with the correct crew and can be reunited with Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette, who coached him when he was with the Capitals. He had seven objectives and 31 assists in 61 video games with Washington earlier than being acquired by the Maple Leafs.
Grade: C
Nick Bonino
Former Pittsburgh Penguins middle Nick Bonino agreed to a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Rangers on July 1. The 35-year-old was a member of the Penguins once they received consecutive Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. With the Rangers, he’ll compete for a bottom-six function, principally just like the fourth-line middle place.
However, Goodrow can play right-wing, so the Rangers might transfer him there to make room at middle for Bonino. The Hockey Writers’ Alex Hutton famous that New York will possible make the most of Bonino’s skillset on their penalty-killing unit, as he has been a defensive-minded ahead all through his profession.
Bonino offers the Rangers another choice for his or her penalty kill ought to unrestricted free agent Tyler Motte signal with one other crew. Even if Motte re-signs with New York, the membership will profit from Bonino’s defensive-minded presence.
Grade: C
Jonathan Quick
The Rangers agreed to a one-year, $825,000 contract on July 1 with goalie Jonathan Quick. The 37-year-old netminder will substitute Jaroslav Halak because the backup to starter Igor Shesterkin. Quick is an achieved goalie with three Stanley Cups – most lately as a member of the 2023 Vegas Golden Knights. He was additionally with the Los Angeles Kings golf equipment that received the Cup in 2012 and 2014; he received the Conn Smythe Trophy following their first championship in 2012.
Quick, as soon as often called one of many NHL’s elite netminders, has seen a gradual decline in a few of his statistics over the previous 5 seasons. His goals-against common has elevated whereas his save proportion has decreased in comparison with earlier in his profession. As a consequence, he has grow to be a backup over the previous couple of seasons.
The Golden Knights’ beginning goalie, Adin Hill, said this of Quick’s presence following the 2023 Playoffs: “I talked to him all the time. He’s one of the best guys I’ve met in the hockey world.” After he signed with the Rangers, Quick commented on the chance to backup Shesterkin. “[Igor] doesn’t need too much mentorship with as good as he is,” stated Quick. “If there’s times when I can help him, I’m definitely willing to and looking forward to that.”
The Rangers acquired combined outcomes from Halak as their backup final season. He was inconsistent in his 25 begins, and the membership is hoping for extra dependability from Quick in 2023-24.
Grade: C+
The Rangers solely had sufficient cap area to make minor additions to their roster as president/common supervisor Chris Drury nonetheless must conform to bridge offers with restricted free brokers Alexis Lafreniere and Miller this summer season. These veterans have been low-risk, short-term signings that ought to profit the membership this season.
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