The Rangers announced today that they have come to terms with 24 year old defenseman Brandon Scanlin on a one year $775K deal.  The agreement comes three days ahead of Friday’s scheduled arbitration hearing that was set after Scanlin became the only eligible Ranger to file for arbitration.

The one year deal will likely mean that Scanlin will become a Group VI UFA next Summer, as he is will be 25 and will have played three professional seasons without appearing in at least 80 games.  A longshot to make the NHL roster, Scanlin does provide some depth on the right side, though probably sits behind fellow Wolf Pack roster projections Ty Emberson and Mac Holloway for a call up.

The 6-3 223lb Scanlin has appeared in parts of two seasons with the Wolf Pack after being signed out of the NCAA – Nebraska-Omaha – following the completion of 2021-22 season.  He signed a two year contract, the first year eaten up by the 15 games he played to end the season with the Pack.

Last year he had 4 goals 11 assists in 61 games, to go along with 30 penalty minutes and a +21 plus/minus.  A more defensive minded blue-liner, Scanlin will have to have a big year if he hopes to improve his position on the depth chart, but has proven to be fairly reliable at the AHL level in his young career.

His choice to file for arbitration back in June, came as a bit of a surprise, with very few players who have yet to make it to the NHL going that route.  The action caused some speculation as to whether the Rangers may have had a part in it, to allow for the option of a second buy-out window following the resolution of the contract.  With the deal done today, though probably registered tomorrow, that would allow the Rangers a 48 hour period beginning Saturday, though the exact timing is based on a 48 period that begins 3 days after the contract is accepted by the league.

In another wrinkle, the Rangers would only be able to buy-out a contract in excess of $4,000,000, which seems very unlikely at this point.  The three most overvalued contracts on the roster belong to Artemi Panarin, Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow.  Panarin’s buy-out would save the Rangers only $667K for each of the remaining three seasons, while Trouba is of course the captain of the team and would create a significant hole in the defense.  Goodrow’s contract is less that $4M, and as such would not be eligible for a buy-out.

While it’s a possibility that Drury still could use the option, it seems very unlikely at this stage.