NYR TODAY TUESDAY 7/3: Today in Rangers History

Today in NYR History July 3:

2008: Rangers sign free agent forward Markus Naslund. 
The Swedish legend would spend one season in New York — his final in the NHL — scoring 24 goals and 46 points in 82 games before calling it a career.

2016: A New York Rangers Legend Passes at age of 84
NY Rangers Alumni Louis Joesph "Leapin' Louie" Fontinato at the age of 84 on July 3, 2016.
Fontinato who was signed by the Rangers as a free agent in 1950 played in 6 full season totaling 418 games for the Rangers until traded to Montreal for Doug Harvey on June 13, 1961. Fontinato was forced to retire from hockey two years later when he injured his neck while checking Vic Hadfield during a March 9, 1963, game between the Rangers and Canadiens.

GM Jeff Gorton Discusses Claesson Signing, Progress With RFAs and More

Rangers GM Jeff Gorton spoke with John Giannone on Rangers Night Live on MSG on Monday and had the following to say:

On July 1 being different, "it's a lot different, over the years we have been pretty active on July 1 and trying to add players to our team and help us push for some of our runs as we move forward. We have a plan in place and if you saw development camp you saw how many young players we had and we are trying to develop these guys the right way and give them opportunity. Based on what was out there and some of the opportunities we felt it was better to stay with our young guys and keep moving forward."

On development camp, "it was really exciting, we always like to think we have a great development camp with a lot of players but the depth and amount of players we had, it was really exciting."

On the young guys making the team, "I think it's realistic that some of them will be on the team. That will play itself out but we will provide the opportunity. If we signed a number of guys yesterday and today and some of the spots were taken it might discourage some of the young players but as a young players in our organization right now, if you think you are close to making it you look at our roster and see opportunity and like what they are doing and sticking to the plan. Hopefully they are pushing hard this summer to get one of those spots."

On re-signing Namestnikov, "Vladdy is a real versatile guy. We don't know enough about him in our organization to go further but I felt that for two-years it was the right move to make. He can play center, both wings, on the PP, PK, good character guy, can skate. If some of our younger players weren't ready then Vlad could jump in at a higher level and not miss a beat. I feel it's the right time to make that kind of deal. 25-26 year old type player, those are the guys we want right now."

On how Namestnikov played last season, "mentally it was hard on Vladdy, going forward, talking to him at the end of the season, I think he will be in a better place and a fresh start and one thing that was pretty clear was that he wanted to be here and liked what we were doing and NY and the Rangers and it will be a good fit."

On signing Claesson, "he's played less than 200 games, can skate, plays physical, can play both sides. We thought it was a good opportunity to add to our depth and see if he can make our team."

On the RFAs, "we are talking to them and, like Vladdy, trying to make deals, short-term, long-term, going through those scenarios right now. They have the ability to file for arbitration in the next week and we will go from there. In the next seven days we will probably have a better outlook on what it's going to look like. We like all of the players, Brady Skjei is somebody that has been here a while, was drafted and developed, character player, the kind of player we want on the back end. We have had some really good talks with him, Kevin Hayes is someone that chose the Rangers and Vesey the same, we are looking at them right now and trying to figure out what is the best term, cap wise going forward against their free agent time tables. Hopefully in the next week we will have more good conversations."

On Brendan Smith, "We will give Brendan another opportunity to get back on our team and help us. One of the things we liked about him was his physicality, how he played in front of the net, his skating, how he played in that run we had two-years ago was why we signed him. We think that Brendan is doing all the right things in the summer to give himself a chance to get back into the top-six and contribute and be the player we know he can be. By all signs this summer has been good, he's been in great shape, working hard. He just had a baby, I think that this will be a really important September for him and I think he knows it."

On David Quinn, "what stands out for David is that he is a real positive communicator. It never changes, never has a bad day, always an up beat guy and I think he is really looking forward to the challenge of coaching the Rangers and I think he is proud to be in the situation he is in. As far as how we are going to play, we are going to play up-tempo, he wants the puck and every conversation we had was about puck possession and being up-tempo."

NYR TODAY MONDAY 7/2: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

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 center Brad Richards to a nine-year contract. 
Richards, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, lasts three seasons with the Rangers, scoring 56 goals and finishing with 151 points.

2002: The Rangers sign unrestricted free agent defenseman Darius Kasparaitis
During the 2005–06 season, he served as an alternate captain of the Rangers, along with Jaromír Jágr and Steve Rucchin, as the Rangers had no captain.

At the start of the 2006–07 season, Kasparaitis was replaced as an alternate captain with the Rangers by newly acquired Brendan Shanahan. He was waived by the New York Rangers on January 24, 2007 and subsequently demoted to the Rangers' affiliate in Hartford.

Kasparaitis left an enduring impression with Ranger fans with the team salute that he created. After every Rangers home win, Kasparaitis would direct the players to center ice and have the whole team follow in saluting the fans by raising their sticks in the air before departing the ice. The tradition is still carried on by the Rangers for every home win.

Rangers Agree to Terms With Vladislav Namestnikov

by New York Rangers @NYRangers / New York Rangers

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Vladislav Namestnikov on a two-year contract.

Namestnikov, 25, skated in 81 games with the Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning this past season, registering 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points, along with a plus-six rating and 45 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in several categories in 2017-18, including games played, goals, assists, points, power play goals (nine), shots on goal (155), and average ice time (17:05). Namestnikov notched at least one point in 36 of 81 games during the season, and his team posted a 31-4-1 record in the 36 contests in which he recorded at least one point. He tallied two points (one goal, one assist), including his first goal, assist, and point as a Ranger, while making his debut with the Blueshirts on February 28, 2018 at Vancouver. At the time he was acquired by the Rangers from Tampa Bay, Namestnikov ranked second on the Lightning in power play goals (eight), ranked fifth in goals (20), and was tied for fifth in points (44) in 2017-18.

The 5-11, 180-pounder has skated in 282 career NHL games over parts of five seasons (2013-14 - 2017-18) with the Rangers and Tampa Bay, registering 55 goals and 72 assists for 127 points, along with a plus-19 rating and 138 penalty minutes. Namestnikov has recorded at least 30 points in two of the last three seasons, and he established a career-high in plus/minus rating in 2015-16 (plus-17). He has also skated in 29 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, as he helped the Lightning advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014-15 and to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2015-16.

Namestnikov has earned several awards and honors throughout his career at the junior level, professional level, and in international competition. He helped Russia earn a bronze medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, as he registered six points (three goals, three assists) and a plus-seven rating in 10 games. Namestnikov participated in the AHL All-Star Game in 2014-15, as he registered 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 34 AHL games during the season. In addition, he helped the London Knights win the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Championship during his final season of junior hockey in 2011-12, and he recorded 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 19 playoff games during the 2012 OHL Playoffs.

The Zhukovskiy, Russia native was acquired by the Rangers from Tampa Bay, along with Libor Hajek, Brett Howden, a first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, and a conditional first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller on February 26, 2018. Namestnikov was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the first round, 27th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Rangers Agree to Terms With Free Agent Defenseman Fredrik Claesson

by New York Rangers @NYRangers / NYRangers.com

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Fredrik Claesson on a one-year contract.

Claesson, 25, skated in 64 games with the Ottawa Senators this past season, registering one goal and six assists for seven points, along with 35 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in several categories in 2017-18, including games played, hits (158), and blocked shots (84). Claesson ranked third on Ottawa in hits and ranked fifth on the team in blocked shots during this past season. He tallied an assist while skating in his 100th career NHL game on March 12, 2018 at Florida.

The 6-1, 200-pounder has skated in 113 career NHL games over parts of three seasons (2015-16 - 2017-18), all with Ottawa, registering four goals and 16 assists for 20 points, along with 41 penalty minutes. Claesson established career-highs in goals (three), assists (eight), points (11), and plus/minus rating (plus-five) in 33 games with the Senators during the 2016-17 season, and he ranked third among Ottawa defensemen in points per game in 2016-17 (0.33). In addition, Claesson helped the Senators advance to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as he registered three assists and posted a plus-three rating in 14 playoff contests. Internationally, the Stockholm, Sweden native has represented his country in several tournaments. Claesson helped Sweden earn a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, and he also won a silver medal while representing Sweden at the 2010 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Claesson was originally selected by Ottawa in the fifth round, 126th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

NHL Free Agent Tracker 7/1/2018

Complete list of signings by team, available players

Anaheim Ducks
Signed

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Chase De Leo, Ondrej Kase, Kalle Kossila, Brandon Montour, Nick Ritchie, Kevin Roy, Andy Welinski

Group 3 UFAs: Francois Beauchemin, Reto Berra, Kevin Bieksa, Jared Boll, J.T. Brown (signed: MIN), Jason Chimera, Derek Grant, Chris Kelly, Mike Liambas (signed: MIN), Andre Petersson, Corey Tropp, Antoine Vermette

Group 6 UFAs: Scott Sabourin

UFAs: None

Arizona Coyotes
Signed
Michael Grabner signs three-year contract with Coyotes

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Michael Bunting, Laurent Dauphin, Marek Langhamer, Dakota Mermis, Trevor Murphy

Group 3 UFAs: Joel Hanley (signed: DAL), Pierre-Cedric Labrie, Tye McGinn, Brad Richardson, Zac Rinaldo, Luke Schenn

Group 6 UFAs: None

UFAs: Freddie Hamilton, Sean Maguire

Boston Bruins
Signed
Jaroslav Halak signs two-year contract with Bruins

John Moore signs five-year contract with Bruins

Bruins announce seven transactions

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Anton Blidh, Colby Cave, Sean Kuraly

Group 3 UFAs: Chris Breen, Tommy Cross (signed: CBJ), Brian Gionta, Nick Holden (signed: VGK), Anton Khudobin (signed: DAL), Rick Nash, Riley Nash (signed: CBJ), Paul Postma, Tim Schaller (signed: VAN), Tommy Wingels

Group 6 UFAs: Kenny Agostino (signed: MTL), Austin Czarnik (signed: CGY)

UFAs: Justin Hickman

Buffalo Sabres
Signed
Carter Hutton agrees to three-year contract with Sabres

Scott Wilson agrees to two-year contract with Sabres

Scott Wedgewood agrees to one-year contract with Sabres

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Justin Bailey, Nicholas Baptiste, Danny O'Regan, Sam Reinhart

Group 3 UFAs: Justin Falk, Josh Gorges, Chad Johnson (signed: STL), Jacob Josefson, Jordan Nolan, Benoit Pouliot, Zach Redmond, Mike Sislo

Group 6 UFAs: Seth Griffith (signed: WPG), Jason Kasdorf, Adam Wilcox

UFAs: Victor Antipin, Robin Lehner, Scott Wilson (re-signed)

Calgary Flames
Signed
Derek Ryan signs three-year contract with Flames

Austin Czarnik, Dalton Prout sign contracts with Flames

Tyler Graovac, Alan Quine sign contracts with Flames

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Noah Hanifin, Garnet Hathaway, Mark Jankowski, Morgan Klimchuk, Brett Kulak, Elias Lindholm, David Rittich, Hunter Shinkaruk

Group 3 UFAs: Matt Bartkowski (signed: MIN), Luke Gazdic, Tanner Glass, Cody Goloubef (signed: BOS), Jaromir Jagr, Matt Stajan, Chris Stewart, Kris Versteeg

Group 6 UFAs: Marek Hrivik, Tyler Wotherspoon

UFAs: Austin Carroll, Emile Poirier, Daniel Pribyl, Nick Shore, Hunter Smith

Carolina Hurricanes
Signed
Petr Mrazek agrees to terms with Hurricanes

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Greg McKegg, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Lucas Wallmark

Group 3 UFAs: Jake Chelios (signed: DET), Andrew Miller, Dennis Robertson, Derek Ryan (signed: CGY), Jeremy Smith, Lee Stempniak, Cam Ward (signed: CHI)

Group 6 UFAs: Brenden Kichton, Philip Samuelsson

UFAs: Klas Dahlbeck, Tyler Ganly, Keegan Kanzig, Joakim Nordstrom (signed: BOS), Sergey Tolchinsky

Chicago Blackhawks
Signed
Cam Ward agrees to one-year contract with Blackhawks

Chris Kunitz agrees to one-year contract with Blackhawks

Brandon Manning agrees to two-year contract with Blackhawks

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: None

Group 3 UFAs: Lance Bouma, Christopher DiDomenico, Cody Franson, Jeff Glass, Michal Rozsival, Patrick Sharp, Viktor Svedberg, Jordin Tootoo

Group 6 UFAs: None

UFAs: Michael Chaput (signed: MTL), Adam Clendening (signed: CBJ), Anthony Duclair, Tomas Jurco

Colorado Avalanche
Signed
Ian Cole signs three-year contract with Avalanche

Matt Calvert signs three-year contract with Avalanche

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Mason Geertsen, Ryan Graves, Spencer Martin, Patrik Nemeth, Matt Nieto

Group 3 UFAs: Jonathan Bernier (signed: DET), Joe Cannata, Joe Colborne, Blake Comeau (signed: DAL), Andrew Hammond (signed: MIN), Trent Vogelhuber

Group 6 UFAs: Rocco Grimaldi (signed: NSH)

UFAs: Felix Girard, Jesse Graham, Reid Petryk, Duncan Siemens, Nail Yakupov

Columbus Blue Jackets
Signed
Tommy Cross signs one-year contract with Blue Jackets

Adam Clendening signs one-year contract with Blue Jackets

Dillon Simpson signs two-year contract with Blue Jackets

Riley Nash signs three-year contract with Blue Jackets

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Boone Jenner, Ryan Murray

Group 3 UFAs: Andre Benoit, Matt Calvert (signed: COL), Taylor Chorney, Ian Cole (signed: COL), Cameron Gaunce (signed: TBL), Jack Johnson (signed: PIT), Mark Letestu, Thomas Vanek (signed: DET), Jeff Zatkoff

Group 6 UFAs: None

UFAs: Ryan Kujawinski

Dallas Stars
Signed
Joel Hanley signs one-year contract with Stars

Michael Mersch signs two-year contract with Stars

Roman Polak signs one-year contract with Stars

Anton Khudobin signs two-year contract with Stars

Blake Comeau signs three-year contract with Stars

Erik Condra signs one-year contract with Stars

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Philippe Desrosiers, Jason Dickinson, Remi Elie, Dillon Heatherington, Mattias Janmark, Devin Shore, Gemel Smith

Group 3 UFAs: Andrew Bodnarchuk, Brian Flynn, Dan Hamhuis, Kari Lehtonen, Mike McKenna (signed: OTT), Curtis McKenzie (signed: VGK), Greg Pateryn (signed: MIN), Brent Regner, Antoine Roussel (signed: VAN)

Group 6 UFAs: Andrew O'Brien

UFAs: Cole Ully

Detroit Red Wings
Signed
Mike Green signs two-year contract with Red Wings

Jonathan Bernier signs three-year contract with Red Wings

Thomas Vanek signs one-year contract with Red Wings

Wade Megan, Jake Chelios, Harri Sateri sign one-year contracts; Chris Terry agrees to terms on two-year contract with Red Wings

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Andreas Athanasiou, Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Matt Puempel

Group 3 UFAs: Adam Almquist, David Booth, Colin Campbell, Mike Green (re-signed), Matt Lorito, Tom McCollum, Ben Street, Eric Tangradi

Group 6 UFAs: Jared Coreau, Turner Elson

UFAs: Matej Machovsky, Zach Nastasiuk, Dan Renouf

Edmonton Oilers
Signed
Tobias Rieder signs one-year contract with Oilers

Kevin Gravel signs contract with Oilers

Kyle Brodziak signs two-year contract with Oilers

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Darnell Nurse, Anton Slepyshev, Ryan Strome

Group 3 UFAs: Yohann Auvitu, Michael Cammalleri, Mark Fayne, Roman Horak

Group 6 UFAs: Laurent Brossoit (signed: WPG), Grayson Downing, Brian Ferlin, Joey Laleggia, Dillon Simpson (signed: CBJ)

UFAs: Ben Betker, Braden Christoffer, Nick Ellis, Iiro Pakarinen, Kyle Platzer

Florida Panthers
Signed
Jared McCann agrees to terms on two-year contract with Panthers

Michael Hutchinson agrees to terms on one-year contract with Panthers

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Jared McCann (re-signed), Alexander Petrovic, Curtis Valk, MacKenzie Weegar

Group 3 UFAs: Harri Sateri (signed: DET), Radim Vrbata

Group 6 UFAs: Chase Balisy, Connor Brickley (signed: NSH), Alexandre Grenier

UFAs: Gregory Chase, Linus Hultstrom, Edward Wittchow

Los Angeles Kings
Signed
Ilya Kovalchuk signs three-year contract with Kings

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Paul LaDue, Alex Lintuniemi, Kurtis MacDermid

Group 3 UFAs: Christian Folin, Torrey Mitchell

Group 6 UFAs: Andrew Crescenzi, Kevin Gravel (signed: EDM), Michael Mersch (signed: DAL), Scott Wedgewood (signed: BUF)

UFAs: Justin Auger, Tobias Rieder (signed: EDM), Jordan Subban (signed: TOR)

Minnesota Wild
Signed
J.T. Brown signs two-year contract with Wild

Greg Pateryn agrees to terms on three-year contract with Wild

Mike Liambas agrees to terms on two-year contract with Wild

Andrew Hammond agrees to terms on two-year contract with Wild

Eric Fehr agrees to terms on one-year contract with Wild

Matt Hendricks agrees to terms on one-year contract with Wild

Matt Bartkowski signs one-year contract with Wild

Nick Seeler agrees to terms on one-year contract with Wild

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Matt Dumba, Nick Seeler (re-signed), Jason Zucker

Group 3 UFAs: Patrick Cannone, Matt Cullen (signed: PIT), Alex Grant, Zach Palmquist, Kyle Quincey, Niklas Svedberg, Daniel Winnik

Group 6 UFAs: Kurtis Gabriel (signed: NJD), Viktor Loov, Zack Mitchell

UFAs: Adam Gilmour, Dylan Labbe, Steve Michalek, Adam Vay

Montreal Canadiens
Signed
Tomas Plekanec signs one-year contract with Canadiens

Kenny Agostino agrees to terms on one-year contract with Canadiens

Matthew Peca agree to terms on two-year contract with Canadiens

Michael Chaput agrees to terms on two-year contract with Canadiens

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Joel Armia, Phillip Danault, Jacob de la Rose, Michael McCarron, Kerby Rychel

Group 3 UFAs: Adam Cracknell (signed: TOR), Ales Hemsky, Joonas Nattinen, Chris Terry (signed: DET)

Group 6 UFAs: None

UFAs: Daniel Carr (signed: VGK), Markus Eisenschmid, Zach Fucale (signed: VGK), Jeremy Gregoire, Tom Parisi, Logan Shaw

Nashville Predators
Signed
Connor Brickley signs one-year contract with Predators

Rocco Grimaldi signs one-year contract with Predators

Jarred Tinordi signs one-year contract with Predators

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Ryan Hartman, Miikka Salomaki, Juuse Saros

Group 3 UFAs: Cody Bass, Brandon Bollig, Stefan Elliott (signed: PIT), Alexei Emelin, Mike Fisher (retired), Scott Hartnell, Anders Lindback, John Ramage (signed: NJD), Trevor Smith, Scott Valentine, Harry Zolnierczyk

Group 6 UFAs: Petter Granberg, Mark McNeill (signed: BOS), Matthew O'Connor

UFAs: None

New Jersey Devils
Signed
Eric Gryba signs one-year contract with Devils

John Ramage signs one-year contract with Devils

Kurtis Gabriel signs one-year contract with Devils

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Christoph Bertschy, Blake Coleman, Nick Lappin, Stefan Noesen, Kevin Rooney

Group 3 UFAs: Ryane Clowe, Brian Gibbons, Michael Grabner (signed: ARI), Jimmy Hayes (signed: PIT), Bracken Kearns, Michael Latta, Patrick Maroon, John Moore (signed: BOS), Drew Stafford, Alexander Urbom, David Wohlberg

Group 6 UFAs: Ben Thomson

UFAs: Ken Appleby, Mario Lucia

New York Islanders
Signed
Valtteri Filppula agrees to terms on one-year contract with New York Islanders

Leo Komarov agrees to terms on four-year contract with New York Islanders

Thomas Hickey agrees to terms on four-year contract with New York Islanders

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Kyle Burroughs, Ross Johnston, Brock Nelson, Ryan Pulock, Devon Toews

Group 3 UFAs: Calvin de Haan, Stephen Gionta, Jaroslav Halak (signed: BOS), Thomas Hickey (re-signed), Connor Jones, Nikolay Kulemin, Kane Lafranchise, Dennis Seidenberg, John Tavares (signed: TOR), Chris Wagner (signed: BOS)

Group 6 UFAs: Kristers Gudlevskis

UFAs: Brandon Davidson, Shane Prince, Alan Quine (signed: CGY), Kyle Schempp

New York Rangers
Signed
Vladislav Namestnikov agrees to terms on two-year contract with Rangers

Fredrik Claesson agrees to terms on one-year contract with Rangers

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Chris Bigras, Steven Fogarty, John Gilmour, Kevin Hayes, Vladislav Namestnikov (re-signed), Boo Nieves, Rob O'Gara, Brady Skjei, Ryan Spooner, Jimmy Vesey

Group 3 UFAs: John Albert, Paul Carey (signed: OTT), David Desharnais, Carl Klingberg, Cody McLeod, Ondrej Pavelec

Group 6 UFAs: Daniel Catenacci, Ryan Sproul

UFAs: Adam Tambellini

Ottawa Senators
Signed
Mike McKenna signs one-year contract with Senators

Paul Carey signs one-year contract with Senators

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Cody Ceci, Nick Paul, Mark Stone

Group 3 UFAs: Mike Blunden, Tyler Randell, Daniel Taylor

Group 6 UFAs: Max Reinhart

UFAs: Fredrik Claesson (signed: NYR), Chris Driedger, Nick Moutrey, Ville Pokka

Philadelphia Flyers
Signed
James van Riemsdyk signs five-year contract with Flyers

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Tyrell Goulbourne, Robert Hagg, Taylor Leier, Alex Lyon, Danick Martel, Anthony Stolarz, Reece Willcox

Group 3 UFAs: Valtteri Filppula (signed: NYI), Brandon Manning (signed: CHI), Colin McDonald, John Muse (signed: PIT), Will O'Neill, Johnny Oduya, Matt Read, Dustin Tokarski

Group 6 UFAs: None

UFAs: Petr Mrazek (signed: CAR)

Pittsburgh Penguins
Signed
Jack Johnson signs five-year contract with Penguins

Matt Cullen signs one-year contract with Penguins

Jimmy Hayes, Zach Trotman, Stefan Elliott, John Muse sign one-year contracts with Penguins

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Lukas Bengtsson, Teddy Blueger, Thomas Di Pauli, Tristan Jarry, Jamie Oleksiak, Andrey Pedan, Ethan Prow

Group 3 UFAs: Josh Jooris (signed: TOR), Michael Leighton, Carter Rowney, Tom Sestito, Zach Trotman (re-signed)

Group 6 UFAs: Jarred Tinordi (signed: NSH)

UFAs: Frank Corrado, Vincent Dunn, Tom Kuhnhackl

San Jose Sharks
Signed

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Tomas Hertl, Chris Tierney

Group 3 UFAs: Eric Fehr (signed: MIN), Jannik Hansen, Brandon Mashinter, Daniil Tarasov, Joe Thornton, Joel Ward

Group 6 UFAs: None

UFAs: Dylan DeMelo

St. Louis Blues
Signed
Tyler Bozak signs three-year contract with Blues

Chad Johnson signs one-year contract with Blues

David Perron signs four-year contract with Blues

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Beau Bennett, Jordan Binnington, Joel Edmundson, Dmitrij Jaskin, Petteri Lindbohm, MacKenzie MacEachern, Jordan Schmaltz, Oskar Sundqvist

Group 3 UFAs: Kyle Brodziak (signed: EDM), Carter Hutton (signed: BUF), Wade Megan (signed: DET), Scottie Upshall

Group 6 UFAs: None

UFAs: Justin Selman, Thomas Vannelli

Tampa Bay Lightning
Signed
Cameron Gaunce signs one-year contract with Lightning

Kevin Lynch signs one-year contract with Lightning

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Adam Erne, Slater Koekkoek, Cedric Paquette

Group 3 UFAs: Carter Ashton, Mathew Bodie, Erik Condra (signed: DAL), Chris Kunitz (signed: CHI), Jamie McBain, Andrej Sustr

Group 6 UFAs: Matthew Peca (signed: MTL)

UFAs: Alex Gallant (signed: VGK)

Toronto Maple Leafs
Signed
John Tavares signs seven-year contract with Maple Leafs

Adam Cracknell, Josh Jooris, Martin Marincin, Jordan Subban sign contracts with Maple Leafs

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Miro Aaltonen, Frederik Gauthier, Justin Holl, Andreas Johnsson, Martin Marincin (re-signed), William Nylander

Group 3 UFAs: Tyler Bozak (signed: STL), Colin Greening, Leo Komarov (signed: NYI), Joffrey Lupul, Dominic Moore, Tomas Plekanec (signed: MTL), Roman Polak (signed: DAL), Ben Smith, James van Riemsdyk (signed: PHI)

Group 6 UFAs: Kyle Baun

UFAs: None

Vancouver Canucks
Signed
Jay Beagle signs four-year contract with Canucks

Antoine Roussel signs four-year contract with Canucks

Tim Schaller signs two-year contract with Canucks

Sven Baertschi signs three-year contract with Canucks

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Sven Baertschi (re-signed), Troy Stecher, Jake Virtanen

Group 3 UFAs: Darren Archibald, Nic Dowd (signed: WSH), Jussi Jokinen, Jayson Megna, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Patrick Wiercioch

Group 6 UFAs: Joseph LaBate

UFAs: Cole Cassels, Anton Cederholm, Griffen Molino, MacKenze Stewart

Vegas Golden Knights
Signed
Nick Holden signs contract with Golden Knights

Paul Stastny signs contract with Golden Knights

Ryan Reaves signs contract with Golden Knights

Seven players sign contracts with Golden Knights

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: William Carrier, Oscar Dansk, Philip Holm, William Karlsson, Colin Miller, Tomas Nosek, Teemu Pulkkinen, Shea Theodore

Group 3 UFAs: Jason Garrison, Mikhail Grabovski, James Neal, David Perron (signed: STL), Luca Sbisa, Clayton Stoner, Paul Thompson

Group 6 UFAs: Chris Casto

UFAs: None

Washington Capitals
Signed
Nic Dowd signs one-year contract with Capitals

Travis Boyd signs two-year contract with Capitals

Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Riley Barber, Madison Bowey, Travis Boyd (re-signed), Liam O'Brien, Tom Wilson

Group 3 UFAs: Jay Beagle (signed: VAN), Alex Chiasson, Jakub Jerabek, Anthony Peluso, Zach Sill, Wayne Simpson

Group 6 UFAs: Tyler Graovac (signed: CGY)

UFAs: Adam Carlson, Adam Chapie, Tim McGauley

Winnipeg Jets
Signed
Laurent Brossoit agrees to terms on one-year contract with Jets

Jets sign three players


Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Eric Comrie, Marko Dano, Connor Hellebuyck, Nicolas Kerdiles, JC Lipon, Adam Lowry, Josh Morrissey, Nic Petan, Tucker Poolman, Brandon Tanev, Jacob Trouba

Group 3 UFAs: Toby Enstrom, Matt Hendricks (signed: MIN), Michael Hutchinson (signed: FLA), Shawn Matthias, Cameron Schilling, Paul Stastny (signed: VGK)

Group 6 UFAs: Julian Melchiori, Buddy Robinson, Michael Sgarbossa

UFAs: Jan Kostalek, Jimmy Lodge, Jamie Phillips


FREE AGENTS SUBJECT TO COMPENSATION AND RIGHT TO MATCH - GROUP 2

These players have been tendered a qualifying offer by their respective Clubs and are subject to draft-choice compensation and right to match. The draft choice compensation scale is based on compensation offered by the new Club:

OFFER / COMPENSATION

$1,339,575 or below / None
Over $1,339,575 to $2,029,659 / Third-round choice
Over $2,029,659 to $4,059,322 / Second-round choice
Over $4,059,322 to $6,088,980 / First-round and third-round choice
Over $6,088,980 to $8,118,641 / First-round, second-round and third-round choice
Over $8,118,641 to $10,148,302 / Two first-round choices, one second- and one third-round choice
Over $10,148,302 / Four first-round choices


UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS - GROUP 3

These players have qualified for Group 3 Free Agency (age 27 or older or with at least seven Accrued Seasons) and are Unrestricted Free Agents.


UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS - GROUP 6

These players qualify for unrestricted free agency, having met the requirements for Group 6 free agency. This group is defined as players whose contracts have expired, are age 25 or older, have completed three or more professional seasons, and (i) in the case of a player other than a goaltender, have played fewer than 80 NHL games (regular-season and playoff), or (ii) in the case of a goaltender, have played fewer than 28 NHL games (regular-season and playoff). Please note that these amounts are subject to pro-rating due to the 48-game season in 2012-13.


UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

These players were not tendered a qualifying offer and are therefore Unrestricted Free Agents not subject to a right to match or draft choice compensation.

NYR TODAY SUNDAY 7/1: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

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 spent 11 seasons with the Rangers after signing as an undrafted free agent out of London with the Ontario Hockey League. He had 46 goals and 184 assists for a combined 230 points in 788 regular season games. He made his Rangers debut on January 27, 2007 against the Flyers in Philadelphia.

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

2016: Jeff Beukeboom Named 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 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.

2016: Rangers Sign Unrestricted Free Agent Michael Grabner
Grabner signed a two-year, $3.2 million contract with the New York Rangers. Grabner got off to a hot start with the Rangers, scoring his first hat-trick as a Ranger against the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 30. He finished second on the team in goals with 27, his highest single-season total since his rookie season in 2010-11.