New York Rangers: Which minor league free agents will be brought back?
Nicklas Jensen and Marek Hrivik
The right winger Jensen turned 24 in March. In 70 games for the Wolf Pack last season, the Demark native tallied 32 goals to go along with 23 assists for 55 points.
Even with those numbers being so promising, with each passing day it’s looking like his ceiling is a really good AHL player but not quite an NHL player. In seven games with the big club this past year, Jensen didn’t notch a single point. For the most part, he was invisible on the ice for the Rangers.
With that said though, he is only 24 so he is still young enough to make an NHL impact in the future. But even if he doesn’t, the Wolf Pack need people who can score. He’s a RFA so the ball is in Chris Drury’s court here.
Things are different for Hrivik.
He’s a UFA that will turn 26 in August and, while he’s had two solid seasons in a row down in Hartford, it may be time for his to walk. Hrivik proved to be a decent enough fourth line injury replacement with the Rangers, tallying two assists in 16 games and being a puck possession stud. Since he’s a UFA, he ultimately make the decision on his own. After six seasons with Hartford, it might be best for both parties to move on.