11:37AM: Howden’s deal is a one-way contract that has a cap hit of $855,000. (Whyno)

10:02AM: The Rangers have announced that RFA Brett Howden has signed a one-year contract.

Howden, 23, finished his entry-level contract this past season.

He played in 42 games this past season, had one goal, six assists and averaged 12:34 per game. He missed six games due to being on the Covid protocol list, two more right after, and then five with an injury to end the season.

He has 16 goals and 33 assists and an average of 13:40 per game in 178 career games.

Howden is a candidate to be left unprotected in the expansion draft.

Adam Rotter: I’m not sure if this changes anything with Howden and the expansion draft. He always seemed like the favorite to claim the last protection spot, but that was before David Quinn was fired.

Maybe there is still more upside to his game, but it seems like after three seasons that Howden is what he is. Maybe under Gerard Gallant he will get more or a different opportunity, but he seems like a bottom-six, two-way, penalty killing forward. Teams need those players, but the Rangers also have Kevin Rooney to fill that role. Howden is obviously younger and came to the Rangers with more fanfare, as part of the Ryan McDonagh trade, but none of that really matters at this point. I think that ultimately it will come down to him or Kevin Rooney for that spot and that the player that isn’t protected is likely to be the one Seattle chooses.