Day: July 6, 2016

The New York Rangers pokes into the 2016 Entry draft, and July 1st free agent signing frenzy had all the force of a Pillsbury Doughboy belly slap. The draft pick poor, and cap strapped Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton pretty much accomplished all he could. Grabbing the still available Sean Day with their third round pick, was a stroke of luck and he just might turn into another Duclair, Buchnevich steal. The Rangers can thank their lucky stars for Gordie Clark’s draft magic, but really should endeavour to get him some first and second round picks to work with. The Rangers also left the draft minus next seasons fourth round pick traded for right shooting defenseman Nick Holden from Colorado. With a cap hit of $1,650,000 over the next two seasons it would appear the Rangers have brought him in to play. 

The free agent signing opened with a thud and nothing much has happened since. Lefty shooting Michael Grabner was brought into replace the ghost of Carl Hagelin, and the recently departed Viktor Stalberg. Personally I’m not so sure he’s going to accomplish any more than Stalberg, who was effective down the stretch, and in the short playoffs. Grabner was signed for two years at $1,650,000 per which is $150,000 more per season than what Stalberg got in Carolina on a one year deal. Nathan Gerbe was also signed on July 1st to a one year $600,000 deal and along with Grabner should bring some more speed to the Rangers lineup. The Rangers also signed a pair of right shooting defensemen in Michael Paliotta and Adam Clendening, both adding some depth in the event of any trade movement of last years regulars.