New York Rangers: Top 5 best free agent signings since 2010
The New York Rangers have made the playoffs every season since 2010, and it’s largely in part to smart moves made during free agency. Whether the contracts were big or small, these five players provided the Rangers great value during their time on Broadway.
Former New York Rangers General Manager Glen Sather would always swing for the fences in hopes of landing the next big star. Sometimes, he hit a home run. Sometimes, he struck out (which happened a lot in his first decade with the team).
However, Sather also made smaller signings to help fill out the roster that allowed the Rangers to make the playoffs year after year.
Henrik Lundqvist has surely masked deficiencies on many teams he’s played on, but there has been a lot of talented free agents to play with the Rangers. Here are a few of their best unrestricted free agent signings over the years.
Benoit Pouliot-
Benoit Pouliot played one season with the Rangers, but he made it count. Pouliot often bounced around from team to team, which is why the Rangers only signed him to a one-year, $1.3 million dollar contract.
Pouliot always had the size, speed, and playmaking ability to succeed in the NHL, but couldn’t do so consistently. When coach Alain Vigneault put Pouliot on a line with winger Mats Zuccarello and center Derick Brassard, that all changed.
The Rangers third line was one of their best, and Pouliot scored 15 goals along with 21 assists. Pouliot provided the Rangers with great depth, which was a big reason they advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals that season.
Pouliot cashed in on a successful year with the Rangers, nd signed a five-year, $20 million dollar deal with the Edmonton Oilers in the off-season.
Marian Gaborik-
Marian Gaborik wasn’t the most consistent player, but when he was hitting his stride, he was a dangerous goal scorer for the Rangers. A criticism of many Rangers teams in the past was their lack of a true goal scorer. That couldn’t be said with Gaborik on the roster.
It all started in the summer of 2009 when Gaborik signed with the Rangers for five years, $37.5 million. In his first year with the Rangers, Gaborik had 86 points, netting 42 goals along with 46 assists.
The following season, he finished with a total of only 46 points. A shoulder injury early that year caused Gaborik to miss a month, and cause his production to dip. However, in the 2011-2012 season, Gaborik rebounded with 41 goals and 35 assists, giving him 76 points that season.
Gaborik’s final season with the Rangers was in 2012-2013. He was traded at the trade deadline to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Going into the deadline, Gaborik only had nine goals and 19 assists. Then coach John Tortorella benched Gaborik on multiple occasions.
While it was a rocky ending, Gaborik’s boost on the offensive side of the ice was very valuable for a team that was mostly known for being strong defensively.
Mats Zuccarello-
Before joining the Rangers in the summer of 2010, Mats Zuccarello played for Modo Hockey in the Swedish Elite League. Zuccarello signed a two year entry level contract, and began the 2010-2011 season with the Hartford Wolfpack.
Just three years later, Zuccarello played his first full season in the NHL and scored 19 goals with 40 assists. His breakout year proved to be no fluke, as Zuccarello is one of the most important forwards on the team to date.
The Rangers clearly felt the same way, and signed Zuccarello to a four year, $18 million dollar contract during the 2014-2015 season.
Not only is he a fan favorite, but he is an exceptional presence in the Rangers locker room. Zuccarello recently won the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, highlighting his determination on the ice.
Bringing in a natural playmaker and a great teammate is everything the Rangers could’ve dreamed for when they signed the undrafted Norwegian. At just 29 years old, Zuccarello is going to be a huge contributor for the Rangers for many years to come.
Kevin Hayes-
Kevin Hayes is a first round talent that wasn’t drafted by the New York Rangers. Yet somehow, he ended up in their lap.
Hayes was drafted in the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 draft with the 24th pick overall. However, the Blackhawks lost the rights to Hayes in the summer of 2014, which allowed the Rangers to sign him to an entry-level contract.
Hayes never played for the Blackhawks, and only played college hockey for Boston College. Signing Hayes was crucial for a Rangers team that hadn’t had a first round pick since 2012 when they selected Brady Skjei.
In his rookie season, Hayes burst onto the scene with 17 goals and 28 assists. Hayes regressed in his second year, scoring nine less points than he did in his rookie season.
The slump was seemingly temporary. This past season, Hayes looked like the skilled 6’5 forward that got so many people excited about him in the first place.
It helped that Hayes centered two wingers that he built instant chemistry with. The hard work of J.T. Miller, combined with the speed of Michael Grabner, helped Hayes score 17 goals and 32 assists. It’s the highest point totals in a season for Hayes’ short, but promising career.
Signing the 25 year old Hayes gives the Rangers a core piece for years to come, and it didn’t come via the draft. Hayes’ offensive game is solid, and his defensive awareness continues to progress making him a vital threat, and signing.
Jimmy Vesey-
This signing is nearly identical to the signing of Kevin Hayes. Both give the Rangers a future to be excited about. Vesey was selected 66th overall in the third round by the Nashville Predators in the 2012 NHL Draft.
Vesey continued to play college hockey for Harvard, winning the Hobey Baker Award in 2016. In June of 2016, Vesey’s rights were traded to the Buffalo Sabres after Vesey told the Predators he had no interest of signing with them.
The Sabres had no luck as well, and Vesey’s agent made it clear he intended to become a free agent. In August of 2016, Vesey chose the Rangers as his free agent destination.
How is this one of the five best despite only playing one season? Vesey finished the season with just 27 points.
Signing Vesey shows that the Rangers are emphasizing a need to build upon a young core of players, and add young talent at whatever cost. Speaking of cost, the Rangers were able to add the skilled Vesey for two years, $925,000 per.
Next: Drafting strategies to fix up the farm system
After all, adding a 24 year old forward who was the best college hockey player just last year is a great start.