NYR TODAY SAT 7/2: UFA Day Wrap Up, Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

Rangers UFA Day Wrap Up:
In what thought by many Rangers Fans a precursor to "bigger things" the Rangers started off the day announcing Jeff Beukeboom as their new Assistant Coach. The NYR Alumni Defenseman will be running the defense for the Rangers after previous experience as AHL Affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack Assistant running and developing the defense there. A huge win for Rangers Fans as the team brings back a popular player in Rangers History and a link to the 1994 Stanley Cup Champs.

The Rangers started off slow on was was thought by most a day New York would make a splash in both deals and signings.

The Rangers would go on to sign just four players during the day adding veteran bottom 6 forward Michael Grabner in what was probably the best signing of the day for Jeff Gorton. Grabner received a 2 year deal worth 1.6M per year. The Rangers also picked up forward Nathan Gerbe for a one year deal worth 600K. The diminutive 5'5" Gerbe is known for his speed, hockey sense, playmaking acumen and shiftiness. Albeit his small stature he is said to pack a dangerous shot and is gritty (willing to fight for the puck in the corners)."

The Rangers also signed right-shot defenseman Adam Clendening to a two-year deal worth $600,000 in the NHL and $300,000 in the AHL.Clendening, 23, has played 50 games in the NHL with Chicago, Edmonton, Pittsburgh and Vancouver. The last signing of the day for New York was 23 year old defenseman Michael Paliotta who was a third round pick of Chicago in 2011, played four years at the University of Vermont and traded by Chicago to Columbus in the Brandon Saad trade last year. Paliotta is 6-4, 212 and played 68 games for Columbus' AHL team with 8 goals and 15 assists. He has played two career NHL games, one with Chicago in 14-15 and one with Columbus this past season. Both Players seem to be fill-in signings destined for the depleted Hartford Wolf Pack roster.

Both Rangers UFA's Eric Staal and Viktor Stalberg decided to sign elsewhere. Staal wound up signing a 3 year deal with the Minnesota Wild and Stalberg picked up a 1 year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Hartford Wolf Pack UFA's Jayson Megna (Vancouver) and Chris Mueller (Coyotes) signed deals with other teams.

Although the Rangers have extended Qualifying Offers to all of their Restricted Free Agents there has been no progress or signings as of yet.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 7/2 
Lorne Carr RW (1933-1934) George McPhee LW (1983-1987) Aaron Voros LW (2008-2010)

Today in NYR History July 2

2011: The Rangers sign free agent forward Brad Richards. The former Conn Smythe-winner played three seasons in New York, scoring 56 goals and 151 points in 2010 games. Richards scored 12 goals and 28 points in 56 playoff games.

Rangers agree to terms with Michael Paliotta

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Michael Paliotta.

Paliotta, 23, skated in 68 games with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL) this past season, registering eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points, along with a plus-four rating and 29 penalty minutes. He tied for first among Lake Erie defensemen in goals and ranked second among Lake Erie defensemen in points in 2015-16. Paliotta tallied his first career AHL assist/point while making his AHL debut on October 9, 2015 at Rochester. In addition, he posted a plus-seven rating in eight playoff games while helping the Monsters win the Calder Cup.

The 6-4, 212-pounder has skated in two career NHL games, registering one assist and four penalty minutes. Paliotta tallied his first career NHL assist/point while making his NHL debut with Chicago on April 11, 2015 at Colorado. He skated in one game with Columbus during the 2015-16 season, registering two shots on goal on February 27, 2016 vs. Florida.

Prior to beginning his professional career, Paliotta played four seasons of collegiate hockey (2011-12 – 2014-15) at the University of Vermont. He skated in 144 games during his four seasons with the Catamounts, registering 19 goals and 64 assists for 83 points. Paliotta was named to the NCAA (East) Second All-American Team and was selected as the Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman during his senior year in 2014-15, as he led the University of Vermont – and established collegiate career-highs – in assists (27), points (36), and plus/minus rating (plus-15).

Internationally, the Westport, Connecticut, native has represented the United States in several tournaments. Paliotta tallied one assist in six games while helping the United States win a gold medal at the 2011 IIHF U18 World Championship. He also recorded two assists in six contests while helping the United States earn a gold medal at the 2010 World U17 Hockey Challenge.

Paliotta was selected by Chicago in the third round, 70th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Team Release.

Jeff Beukeboom Named Assistant Coach

OFFICIAL STATEMENT  

FROM NEW YORK RANGERS

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has named Jeff Beukeboom as Assistant Coach.

Beukeboom, 51, joins the Rangers coaching staff after serving as an Assistant Coach with the Blueshirts’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, for the past four seasons (2012-13 – 2015-16). During Beukeboom’s tenure with Hartford, several current Rangers developed under his guidance, including defensemen Brady Skjei and Dylan McIlrath. While Beukeboom was a member of Hartford’s coaching staff, the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2014-15 season.

In addition to his coaching experience with the Wolf Pack, Beukeboom served as an Assistant Coach with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for three seasons (2009-10 – 2011-12) and with the Barrie Colts of the OHL for one season (2008-09). He also served as an Assistant Coach for one season with the Toronto Roadrunners of the AHL in 2003-04.

Over the course of 13 NHL seasons, Beukeboom skated in 804 career games, registering 30 goals and 129 assists for 159 points, along with a plus-114 rating and 1,890 penalty minutes. He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, 19th overall, of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. Beukeboom skated in 284 games over parts of six seasons with the Oilers and was a member of three Stanley Cup championship teams (1986-87, 1987-88, and 1989-90).

The Ajax, Ontario, native was acquired by the Rangers from Edmonton on November 12, 1991 to complete the transaction that sent Mark Messier from the Oilers to the Blueshirts. Beukeboom skated in 520 games over parts of eight seasons with the Rangers, registering 18 goals and 72 assists for 90 points, along with a plus-63 rating and 1,157 penalty minutes. During his tenure with the Rangers, Beukeboom won his fourth Stanley Cup in 1993-94. He established a career-high with eight goals during the 1993-94 season, and he registered six assists and a plus-17 rating during the 1994 Playoffs. Beukeboom ranks second on the Rangers’ all-time list in regular season penalty minutes (1,157) and playoff penalty minutes (147).

Beukeboom joins Head Coach Alain Vigneault, Associate Coach Scott Arniel, Assistant Coach Darryl Williams, and Assistant Coach & Goaltending Coach Benoit Allaire on the Rangers coaching staff.

Rangers Sign Defensemen Adam Clendening and Michael Paliotta

The NY Rangers announced on Friday that they have come to terms with defesemen Adam Cledening and Michael Paliotta

Clendening a right-handed defenseman that is more of a 7th or 8th defenseman. He spent most of last year with the Oilers (20 games), but also was with the Penguins organization for a few months. The former second round pick has 50 NHL games, with a line of 2-9-11. This is a depth signing, replacing one of the many departed players in Hartford.

Paliotta  a 6'4" 212lb defenseman was shipped to Columbus as a part of the Brandon Saad trade, and was declined a qualifying offer by the Blue Jackets this June. He put up a line of 8-15-23 in 68 games with the Springfield Falcons, his first full pro season. It’s expected he will be in the AHL all year.

Rangers sign Nathan Gerbe and Michael Grabner

"RNYRF" Staff Report

The New York Rangers on Friday agreed to terms with free agents Nathan Gerbe and Michael Grabner.

Since the start of the 2010-11 season, Grabner is tied for fourth in the NHL in shorthanded goals (12). He posted nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in 80 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

With the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015-16, Gerbe was on the ice for only four power play goals against while logging 48:59 of shorthanded ice time. He posted three goals and four assists in 47 games this season.

All moves on first day of Free Agency

- Milan Lucic signs 7 year deal with Edmonton Oilers.

- Detroit Red Wings and C Frans Nielsen agree to terms on a 6 year deal.

- New York Islanders sign F Andrew Ladd to a 7-year contract worth $5.5M a season.

- Ottawa Senators have signed Michael Kostka to a one year, two way deal.

- Matt Lorito going to Detroit Red Wings on two year, two-way deal.

- Florida Panthers sign RW Colton Sceviour to 2 year deal.

- James Reimer goes to Florida Panthers.

- St. Louis Blues sign F David Perron to a 2-year deal worth $3.75M a season.

- Chicago Blackhawks sign Brian Campbell to one-year deal.

Loui Eriksson has signed a 6-year, $36-million dollar deal with the Vancouver Canucks.

- Buffalo Sabres have signed Kyle Okposo to a 7-year deal.

- Alex Stalock has signed a 1-year deal with the Minnesota Wild.

Boston Bruins have signed John-Michael Liles to a 1-year $2 million contract.

- Eric Staal signs with Minnesota Wild.

- Carter Hutton and St. Louis Blues have agreed on a 2-year deal.

- Los Angeles Kings have signed Tom Gilbert to a 1-year $1.4 million deal.

- Minnesota Wild have signed Chris Stewart to a 2-year deal.

- New York Islanders have signed Jason Chimera to a 2-year $4.5 million deal.

- Calgary Flames have signed Chad Johnson to a 1-year deal

- Jake Allen has signed a four-year extension worth $17.4 million with the St. Louis Blues.

- Ottawa Senators sign Phil Varone and Casey Bailey to 2-way deals.

- Arizona Coyotes sign Jamie McGinn to a 3-year $10 million deal.

- Vernon Fiddler and the New Jersey Devils have agreed on a contract

- San Jose Sharks have signed David Schlemko to a 4-year deal worth $2.1 million per season.

- New York Rangers have signed Adam Clendening.

- Philadelphia Flyers sign Dale Weise.

- Arizona Coyotes have signed Klas Dahlbeck to a 1-year deal.

- Los Angeles Kings have signed Zach Trotman.

- Edmomton Oilers sign Jonas Gustavsson to a 1-year deal

- Carolina Hurricanes have signed Viktor Stalberg to a 1-year contract.

- Washington Capitals sign Christian Thomas to one-year deal.

- Nashville Predators sign Yannick Weber.

- Montreal Canadiens have signed Al Montoya to a 1-year contract.

- Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Victor Hedman to an 8-year extension at $7.875 million per season.

- As per Shawn Matthias agent, The Winnipeg Jets and Matthias have agreed on a 2-year deal

- New Jersey Devils have re-signed Devante Smith-Pelly to a 2-year $2.6 million extension.

- Los Angeles Kings have signed Jeff Zatkoff.

NYR TODAY FRI 7/1: UFA Day, Notes, Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

NHL FREE AGENT MARKET OPENS AT NOON
The 2016 NHL Free Agency Period Begins today at 12:00 PM EST.
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NYR NOTES:

Yesterday's Scrimmage at the NY Rangers Prospect Developmental Camp ended with the White team defeating the Blue team 10-6. Robin Kovacas added another 2 goal performance as did 2015 draft pick Ryan Gropp.

News of the Rangers trying to work out a trade for the Oilers 4th overall pick in last Friday's Entry Draft was reported by the NY Post's Larry Brooks claiming GM Jeff Gorton tried hard to move up to the first round but was unsuccessful.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 7/1 
Bill Beverigde G (1942-1943) Mike Eastwood C (1997-1998) Rod "Mr. Ranger" Gilbert RW (1960-1977) Corey Hirsch G (1992-1993)

Today in NYR History July 1

2006: The Rangers sign free agent defenseman Dan Girardi. Girardi has spent 10 seasons with the Rangers since signing as an undrafted free agent out of London with the Ontario Hockey League. He has 42 goals and 215 poitns in 725 games.

2009: Rangers sign free agent forward Marian Gaborik, who amassed 114 goals and 229 points in 255 games with the Rangers from 2009 through 2013.