New York will not extend qualifying offers to pending RFAs Nick Palmieri and Jyri Niemi, but will extend an offer to Brandon Mashinter.  In the case of Niemi, it’s not surprising.  The former Islanders draft pick was acquired back in May 2010 in exchange for a sixth round pick, but has struggled to make an impact in the AHL.

Palmieri was acquired from the Wild back in February along with Darroll Powe in exchange for Mike Rupp, but failed to impress.  Palmieri has appeared in 87 NHL games with New Jersey and Minnesota, but did not appear for the Rangers in his brief stint with the team.

Mashinter will have another chance to crack the line-up, after appearing in four games for the Rangers, following a January 16th trade with the San Jose Sharks.  He was also called up as part of the train-on squad for the playoffs but saw no action.