The Rangers have signed right shot defenseman Andy Welinski to a one-year, two-way contract.
Welinski’s NHL cap hit would be $750,000 and his salary in the AHL would be $400,000.
Welinski, 29, has 46 games of NHL experience over parts of three seasons with Anaheim and played 39 games for Calgary’s AHL team last season.
He was a third round pick of the Ducks in 2011.
From the Rangers:
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Welinski, 29, spent the 2021-22 season with the Stockton Heat, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Calgary Flames. With Stockton, Welinski notched three goals and 16 assists for 19 points and a plus-12 rating in 39 games. He ranked fourth on the club among defenseman in points and tied for third in plus/minus.
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46 career NHL games to his name, all with the Anaheim Ducks (2017-18 – 2020-21), notching six points (1G-5A).
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A 6-1, 201 pound defenseman, Welinski has accumulated 35 goals and 88 assists for 123 points and a plus-3 in 230 career AHL games, split between the Heat, San Diego Gulls and Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
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In 2017-18 with San Diego, he notched AHL career highs in goals (10), assists (24) and points (34). That season, he earned a trip to the AHL All-Star Game.
Adam Rotter: He is a possible seventh defenseman, but more than likely someone who can be a leader on defense in the AHL.