The Rangers have signed defenseman Erik Gustafsson to a one-year deal worth $825,000.
Gustafson, 31, had seven goals and 35 assists in 70 games last season between Toronto and Washington.
Gustafson played in Washington last season under Peter Laviolette.
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He is a left shot defenseman and has 39 goals and 152 assists in 379 games, with an average of 19:06 and a plus-one rating. He has 394 career blocked shots and 363 hits in his career and was credited with 277 giveaways and 119 takeaways.
He has 55 career powerplay points.
Adam Rotter: This is an interesting signing for the Rangers and follows the rest of them as low-risk and, for the most part, one-year. It’s easy to see Gustafsson next to Braden Schneider on the third pair….but what does that mean for Zac Jones, who would now need to clear waivers. It’s possible that it’s the two of them that truly battle for the spot next to Schneider, but veteran coaches usually lean towards veteran players, especially if they know them already.
He puts up points, but is not known for his defense. I do wonder why he keeps only getting these same kinds of contracts, but now he’s with the Rangers and has the opportunity to play a decent amount.