Official: Rangers Ink College Free Agent Austin Rueschoff to Entry-Level Contract

Morgan Barron Named ECAC Hockey Player of the Year

The New York Rangers took another dip into the collegiate free agent pool this afternoon as they agreed to terms with forward Justin Richards, the team announced.

NYR Stats & Info?@NYRStatsInfo

The New York Rangers announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent forward Justin Richards on an entry-level contract. Richards’ contract begins at the start of the 2020-21 season. #NYR

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Richards, 22, played 34 games with the University of Minnesota Duluth this past season where he registered 14 goals, 11 assists and had a plus-14 rating. Richards has also collected various accolades during his stint at Minnesota Duluth including two National Championships and was named the NCHC’s Best Defensive Forward in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.

Over the previous two summers, Richards attended prospect development camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2018, and followed that up with an invite from the Boston Bruins in 2019. The 5-11, 190-pound forward finished his collegiate career registering 26 goals and 40 assists for 66 total points, along with a plus-40 rating and 38 penalty minutes.

While the details of the contract weren’t disclosed, CapFriendly has Richards’ entry-level contract coming in at two-years, and will pay him the maximum cap hit allowed at $925,000. The contract will begin at the start of the 2020-2021 regular season.

Posted by bronxcheer on 8/10/2020 6:20:00 PM (view original):
Rangers win the lottery for the #1 pick!!!!!!!!

The New York Rangers traded veteran Marc Staal and a 2021 second round pick to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for future considerations. He was the second longest tenured member of the team, behind only Henrik Lundqvist.

The 33-year-old has one year remaining on his six-year, $34.2 million contract that carries a $5.7 million cap hit and a no-movement clause. His actual salary for the 2020-21 season was the lowest of his contract at $3.2 million.

With $5.7 million off the books, the Rangers have just under $20 million in cap space between their eight forwards, four defenders, and two goaltenders currently under contract.

It has been reported that the New York Rangers buyout the remainder of Henrik Lundqvist’s contract, according to multiple sources.

The first buyout window opened during the Stanley Cup Final, and the move will become official before this window closes. This is the second major move — the first being the trade of Marc Staal — of likely many offseason moves made by the Rangers with next season’s flat salary cap in mind.

Lundqvist’s buyout is the Rangers’ solution to their crowded goal crease, which was highlighted by three NHL goalies on the roster. Igor Shesterkin moved to North America for the 2019-20 season, and was promoted from the AHL mid-year putting pressure on the situation. When no goaltender was moved at the deadline — not Lundqvist, nor Alexandar Georgiev — it was clear that the makeup of their net would change this offseason.

Just over a week after the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup, the first major step of the offseason came to an end with the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft on Tuesday. The New York Rangers won the NHL Draft Lottery earlier this summer and used the pick to select Quebec Major Junior Hockey League star Alexis Lafreniere.

Lafreniere has spent the last three seasons starring for Rimouski Océanic. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2017 QMJHL Draft and burst onto the scene with 42 goals in 60 games. To put that into perspective, Lafreniere had the highest number of goals in a rookie season since Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby scored 54 for Rimouski Oceanic in 2004. In his three seasons in the QMJHL, Lafreniere has accumulated 297 points (114 goals & 183 assists) and blossomed into one of the most dangerous young players in the world.

Many believe that Lafreniere is a generational talent that will become one of the NHL's biggest stars sooner rather than later. The Rangers will look to pair Lafreniere with a nucleus that already includes the likes of Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad.

2020 NHL Draft: New York Rangers Select Braden Schneider 19th Overall

The Rangers and Calgary Flames make the first trade of the night

The New York Rangers and Calgary Flames completed the first draft day trade as the Blueshirts traded 22nd and 72nd overall to Calgary for the 19th overall pick.

With the 19th overall pick the Rangers selected defender Braden Schneider from the Brandon Wheat Kings out of the WHL

Rangers Agree to Terms with Free Agent Defenseman Jack Johnson




Rangers Announce Six more Free Agent Signings