In their third UFA signing of the day, the Rangers added netminder Louis Domingue on a two year, one-way contract worth $775,000 AAV. The signing brings together the former third string goaltender, and unlikely starter in the first round of the 2022 playoffs, and the team that he helped hold at bay for the better part of the series.
The 30 year old Quebec native joins his 7th NHL team, having spent time with Arizona, Tampa, New Jersey, Vancouver, Calgary and of course Pittsburgh.
With Halak signed earlier in the day, Domingue will likely compete with rookie Dylan Garand for playing time in Hartford, and as additional depth should there be an injury to either Halak or starter Igor Shesterkin. Domingue became well known last May when he stepped in for the injured Casey DeSmith to backstop the Penguins to a win in the third overtime of Game 1. After a loss in Game 2, he came back to win both Games 3 and 4 on home ice to push the Rangers to elimination.
The Rangers would eventually win the series, clinching it in Game 7 with Tristan Jarry in net, after Domingue had failed to close it out in Games 5 and 6.
With 142 NHL games to his credit, and a further 7 in the playoffs, Domingue brings a modest level of insurance to the Rangers at a low cost.