Chris Drury and the New York Rangers had a busy day, making ten signings to kick off Free Agency. Whether or not they are done remains to be seen but for now, it’s safe to assume this is the final list of new faces, at least until they get the contract extensions of Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller taken care of. If this does end up being the final edit of Chris Drury’s offseason, you have to think he did a great job. None of these players are costing more than $825,000 and the experience some of them bring is worth well more than that. For the most part, all the holes left in the Rangers lineup can be filled and from top to bottom, this organization is in a much better spot in terms of depth and icing well-rounded teams. That being said, let's get acquainted with some fresh faces.
Blake Wheeler, RW
The final remaining piece of Atlanta Thrasher history, Blake Wheeler is not only a seasoned vet, but an offensive threat and at $800k, a bit of a steal. Wheeler was a 5th overall draft pick by the Coyotes back in 2004 but got his start with the Boston Bruins. After three respectable seasons in Boston, Wheeler was sent over to Atlanta in a trade for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik where he spent thirteen seasons with the Thrashers/Jets. What you’re getting in Blake Wheeler is over one thousand games played, 922 career points with about a third of them being goals. He had a pair of seasons where he knocked on the door of 100 points but never quite got there. With him turning 37 this summer, it’s fair to assume his best days are behind him but in a reduced role, he can be very effective in New York. Now he is far from a perfect signing as Wheeler is just a few seasons removed from being stripped of the captaincy in Winnipeg, who are notorious for having one of, if not the most toxic cultures in any NHL locker room. However, he evidently got the Jacob Trouba seal of approval and isn’t being brought on to be a voice in the room outside of maybe helping some of the Rangers younger forwards. I’m interested to see where he’ll settle into this Rangers lineup. In a perfect world, he’s this team’s third line right winger but unless Lafreniere makes the jump to the right side, the Rangers don’t really have a better option for that second line. Wheeler can obviously score goals but with the bulk of his points being assists, you have to wonder if Panarin is the best compliment to him especially if you have Trocheck in the middle. A Lafreniere-Chytil-Wheeler line sounds like a good idea on paper but again, would leave one of Jimmy Vesey or Barclay Goodrow in the top six. All questions of where he fits aside, in terms of on ice product, he’s a fantastic signing especially given the low cost.
Jonathan Quick, G
Fun fact, Jonathan Quick and I played hockey at the same high school. Jonathan Quick also stole a Stanley Cup from Chris Kreider and the New York Rangers back in 2014 so it’ll definitely be interesting seeing them now as teammates. Fun tidbits aside, this is a pretty ideal situation for all parties involved. Quick, having grown up in my hometown of Hamden, CT, also grew up a Rangers fan and idolized Mike Richter. Three Stanley Cups, two Vezina Trophy Nominations and a Silver Medal later, Quick is certainly nearing the end of his playing career and what better place to wrap it up then with his childhood team where he can not only chase one more cup, but play meaningful games in a mentor if needed type of role to one of the best young goalies in the league. He’s coming off one of his worst seasons despite winning the Cup as a backup but as long as he stays healthy, he’s set up nicely for a bounce back year and is at least a lateral move, if not an upgrade from Jaro Halak.
Tyler Pitlick, RW/C
When I saw the news that the Rangers agreed to terms with Tyler Pitlick, I was almost mad at myself for not seeing it coming. Every year, the Rangers make a signing like this. A depth forward who’s at best a fourth liner that ends up playing in more games than anyone expects or hopes. Tyler Pitlick is along those lines. He’s a guy that has been around the block a time or two having started his career in Edmonton, most recently playing in St. Louis. With stints in Dallas, Philly, Arizona, Calgary and Montreal along the way, Pitlick has only passed twenty points once in his career back in 2018 with Dallas. With 105 points in 386 career games, putting up points certainly isn’t his specialty although he is coming off his most offensively effective season in three years. This is a guy who can kill penalties, bring some fire and possibly even surprise you with a shift or two. He’ll have some competition to earn a spot on that fourth line but all things considered, it’s a pretty low risk signing that has reward potential if he clicks with this group.
Riley Nash, C/RW
I give it 25 minutes into the broadcast of his first preseason game before Sam Rosen says “And there’s Riley Nash Joe! No relation to Rick.” Then another 15 seconds into his third shift before he’s accidentally called Rick Nash. (I love Sam Rosen). All jokes aside, If you haven’t caught on by now, the Rangers are going with more of a veteran theme this offseason and Riley Nash is no exception. There was a stretch in his career where Nash was a highly coveted depth player but with age, has since fallen deeper and deeper in the ranks. Capfriendly has his contract listed in the AHL right now so barring an exceptional preseason, will likely start the year as a veteran presence for Hartford. Nevertheless, if injuries arise and the Rangers need options, Riley Nash may have some gas left in the tank. He can play center or either wing, take face-offs, kill penalties and anything else you may need on a need by need basis.
Alex Belzile, RW
Belzile might be the best candidate to give Tyler Pitlick a run for his money on that fourth line right wing slot. If memory serves, Belzile had a goal against the Rangers this year and I remember asking myself who the hell is this guy as I had never heard of him before. Sure enough, he’s now a Ranger. A true journeyman, Belzile was undrafted out of the QMJHL and made his way to the ECHL where he earned a call up with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. Three seasons later in the ECHL, he once again found himself in the AHL with San Antonio. After almost a decade of up and down between the East Coast and America League, he finally got his break and made his NHL debut with the Montreal, where he’s appeared in 44 games across three seasons. He’s coming off his best year yet at the age of 31 where he had six goals and eight assists for a career high of 14 points. At best, he’s a fourth liner with some upside but if all else fails, he’s a good depth piece to send to Hartford.
Connor Mackey, LD
When you looked at the entire Rangers system, defense was without question a big need for this team going into the off-season. They’re pretty locked in at the NHL level but one or two injuries would lead to a lot of problems. I was a bit surprised to see Connor Mackey have as much NHL experience as he does. He didn’t play a single game in the AHL last season but appeared in 30 games between the Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes, scoring three goals and registering four assists along the way. Mackey was another NCAA signing back in the day out of Minnesota State Mankato, landing a gig with the Flames in 2021. He spent the next two years up and down with Stockton in the AHL and at 26 years old, likely has a whole lot more to prove. While becoming an NHL regular is a bit unlikely, especially in New York, Mackey has the chance to be a big part of a Wolf Pack team that will inevitably be looking to get back into the playoff picture next season and if needed, can be a call up option if the Rangers run into trouble.
Nikolas Brouillard, LD
Admittedly, Nikoles Brouillard was the player I was least familiar with out of all the Rangers signings. He’s a 28 year old, left handed shot defenseman who spent six seasons in the QMJHL before getting one game in with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL and spending most of that year in the ECHL. Following that stint, he decided to go to university and spent four years at McGill in Ontario. He made his way back to the AHL afterwards where he’s been with the San Diego Gulls for the last three seasons. His numbers aren’t awful at least in terms of point production. Throughout the last two years he’s averaged roughly 125 penalty minutes so it’s safe to assume he’s a fighter. Wouldn’t expect to see him in a Rangers sweater outside of maybe preseason but certainly not a high risk gamble for AHL depth.
Nick Bonino, C
Two years ago, this would’ve been what you call a perfect signing but even now, it’s still pretty great work by Chris Drury. Another Connecticut native, Nick Bonino brings over 800 games worth of experience to the Rangers alongside a pair of Stanley Cup Championships. He goes way back with fellow newly acquired Ranger Jonathan Quick as they played Prep School hockey together back at Avon. Bonino is 35 years old which is the only reason I say this would’ve been a perfect signing a couple years ago. However, even at 35 he has potential to be a perfect fourth line center for this Rangers team. As much as Barclay Goodrow has been more of a “best used at center" type of player the last two years, when you have other pieces better suited for the position, he becomes better off on the wing. With Bonino, you can keep Goodrow on the wing and count on some secondary scoring from your bottom six. He’s coming off one of his lowest productive seasons in his career but with a change of scenery that’s a bit of a homecoming, he could have a solid bounce back year and help this team get back to the playoffs.
Erik Gustafsson, LD/RD
Gustafsson was one of the names on my list of defensemen the Rangers could and should target as he could be a perfect fit on that third pairing. Gustafsson has had a bit of a fascinating career, bouncing around between six different teams, once putting up a 60 point season as a defenseman. He’s coming off the second best season of his career, registering 42 points split between Washington and Toronto who acquired him at the trade deadline. He’s in his early thirties so he brings experience but also quite the spark of offensive capabilities to this Rangers D-Core. On top of that, he has potential to compliment Braden Schneider very well as Schneider can settle into more of a defensive role, allowing Gustafsson the opportunity to exercise his offensive talents when necessary.
Mac Hollowell, RD
As of right now the final Free Agent signing Chris Drury made, Mac Hollowell is a fantastic pick up. A fourth round pick by the Leafs in 2018, Hollowell is a right handed shot defenseman who at 24 years old, still has plenty of room to grow and develop as a player. He has just over 50 points across a couple seasons with the Marlies over the years but when injuries hit the Maple Leafs last season, he got the call-up for six games and was one of the team’s best defensemen throughout that stretch. One thing the Rangers lacked in their system last season was depth on the back end and thankfully, this team was pretty lucky on the injury front. You can’t rely on luck so it’s important to not only add defensemen like they did with Mackey and Brouillard, but guys capable at hacking it at the NHL level like Hollowell. He will definitely be a player to watch in Hartford throughout the year.
Chris Feldman
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