The New York Rangers landed the biggest fish of the day in Artemi Panarin. Signing him gave the Rangers a huge boost to their offense, and their defense had already received a big boost via trade with the acquisition of Jacob Trouba from Winnipeg. They also signed the second overall pick in this year’s draft, Kaapo Kakko. After doing all of that, they were able to add a few depth guys to help round out their team. Here is an overview of their free agency.
- Artemi Panarin, F. Panarin signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract that carries an AAV of $11.642 million. Panarin played in 79 games last season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, in which he produced 87 points. He also appeared in ten playoff games for the team, through which he tallied 11 points. Over his NHL career, Panarin has played in 322 games and scored 320 points. The 27-year-old winger was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks prior to the 2015-16 season after spending the previous five seasons in the KHL. He is entering his fifth NHL season and will be joining his third team over that span.
- Kaapo Kakko, F. Kakko signed a nearly max entry-level contract, as his is a three-year deal worth $10.725 million, and it carries a $925,000 AAV. He played for TPS in the Finnish Liiga last season, appearing in 45 games for them, in which he recorded 38 points. He also played for Finland in the World Junior Championship and at the IIHF World Championship, and in his 36 games with Team Finland this season, he produced 25 points. The 18-year-old winger was the second overall pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft and is looking to fully translate his production to North American soil for this upcoming season, as he is expected to make the Rangers right out of camp.
- Danny O’Regan, F. O’Regan signed a one year, $700,000 contract. He played in one game for the Rangers, and scored zero points. He appeared in 70 games last year for Buffalo’s AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, in which he tallied 48 points. He also played in three playoff games for the team, but he failed to record a single point in them. Over his AHL career, O’Reagan has played in 182 games and produced 146 points. The 25-year-old center was drafted 135th overall in 2012 by the San Jose Sharks, and he will be joining his third organization in just four seasons.
- Greg McKegg, F. McKegg signed a one year, $750,000 contract. He appeared in 41 games last season for the Carolina Hurricanes, in which he tallied 11 points. He also appeared in 31 games for Carolina’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, through which he recorded 23 points. He then played in 14 of the Hurricanes’ playoff games, over which he put up two goals and zero assists. Over his NHL career, McKegg has played in 132 games and produced 24 points. Over his AHL career, he has laced up his skates 322 times and tallied 193 points. The 27-year-old winger was drafted 62nd overall in 2010 by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and this will be his sixth franchise over his nine season professional career.
- Phillip Di Giuseppe, F. Di Giuseppe signed a one year contract worth $700,000. Last season, he appeared in 24 NHL games, over which he recorded four points. He began the season with the Carolina Hurricanes, but he was then claimed off of waivers by the Nashville Predators on January 1st. He also played for each team’s AHL affiliates, the Charlotte Checkers and the Milwaukee Admirals, respectively, playing in 26 games between the two, through which he put up 12 points. Over his NHL career, he has appeared in 150 games and recorded 41 points, and over his AHL career, he has played in 184 games and produced 101 points. The 25-year-old winger was drafted 38th overall by the Hurricanes in 2012, and this will be his third organization over his seven season professional career.
- Jacob Trouba, D. Trouba was resigned to a seven year contract that’s worth $56 million and has an $8 million AAV. Last season, he played in all 82 games with the Winnipeg Jets, in which he produced 50 points. He then appeared in six playoff games with the team, through which he tallied one point. The Jets traded then his signing rights to the Rangers in exchange for defenseman Neal Pionk and a 1st round pick in 2019. Over his NHL career, he has appeared in 408 games, over which he has recorded 179 points. The 25-year-old defenseman was drafted ninth overall in 2012 by the Winnipeg Jets, and this will be his second team over his seven season NHL career.
- Pavel Buchnevich, F. Buchnevich signed a two year, $6.5 million contract. Last season, he played in 64 games and produced 38 points. In his NHL career, he has played in 179 games and has tallied 101 points. The 24-year-old winger was drafted 75th overall in 2103 by the Rangers and this will be his fourth NHL season with the same team he was drafted by.
- Vinni Lettieri, F. Lettieri signed one year, $700,000 contract. Last year, he played in 27 games and tallied three points. He also played in 48 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack and produced 48 points. In his NHL career, he has played in 46 games and scored eight points. In his AHL career, he has played in 112 games and has produced 85 points. The 24-year-old center was an undrafted free agent that signed with the Rangers after his senior season at the University of Minnesota and this will be his fourth season with the only organization he has known.
This post will be updated later if and when the team makes any more signings.
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