ESNY brings you the latest news, rumors, and scores from the New York Rangers. Today features the official signing of David Desharnais and more.
The Rangers officially announce the signing of David Desharnais:
The Rangers continue to have a strong offseason as they sign the 30-year-old center who split time between Montreal and Edmonton last season. Desharnais is suited to be the third or fourth line center and is a good replacement for Oscar Lindberg. Last season he had 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points. Desharnais’s career face-off percentage is 50.2%, and he can be called upon for those huge defensive zone faceoffs late in games. He is an excellent playmaker that has registered 171 assists in his career so far and can play on the top two lines if needed.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with free agent forward David Desharnais. pic.twitter.com/RY7PdEBW3W
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 5, 2017
Ranger forward Michael Grabner continues to work to make himself one of the best skaters in the NHL. The 29-year-old, who scored 27 goals last year, posted a video on his Instagram account showing him doing one leg box jumps. His strength and conditioning is a big part of his game production as he set to begin his 9th NHL season.
The Rangers announced that the have signed F Jesper Fast to a three-year, $1.85 million contract. Fast was an RFA and is preparing to start in his 5th NHL season all with the New York Rangers. Fast Will be out of the Lineup till mid-November due to left hip surgery that he had in early June.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Jesper Fast on a three-year contract with an AAV of $1.85 million. pic.twitter.com/Prgan6bBCH
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 5, 2017
Sean Hartnett reported that Mika Zibanejad has elected to go to salary arbitration. The team and Zibanjead can still try to work out a contract deal up until the arbitration hearing begins. Hearing’s for all arbitration will begin July 20th in Toronto.
#NYR Mika Zibanejad has elected salary arbitration.
— Sean Hartnett (@HartnettHockey) July 5, 2017
Other Ranger News:
With the Rangers signing a center yesterday, they still need to find another to fill in the roster. A name that has been recently mentioned is Cristoval “Boo” Nieves. He is currently playing for the Rangers AHL Hartford Wolfpack team. The second round draft pick, 59th overall, of the 2012 NHL Draft is 23 years old as he enters his second season with the Wolfpack. He played one game for the Rangers last season before being sent back down to the AHL.
This would be an excellent opportunity for Nieves to make the jump to the NHL. He is in his second year of his ELC with $755,000 against the salary cap and would fit in nicely on the Rangers fourth line.
