Brendan Lemieux re-signed with the New York Rangers avoiding arbitration. The deal is for two years, worth $3.1 million with an annual average value of $1.55 million.
NYR & Brendan Lemieux have settled at 2x$1.55M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 6, 2020
Brendan Lemieux Stays with the Rangers
Lemieux is going into his fourth NHL season looking to build on his fourth-line role. He was one of four players to take the Rangers to arbitration, and the one with the least clout. Still, it wasn’t a great surprise to see him fight for his contract. After all, he started his professional career refusing to sign with the Buffalo Sabres who had drafted him 31st overall in 2014. The Rangers brought him in from the Winnipeg Jets in the Kevin Hayes deal, and in the 78 games since then he has scored nine goals and 24 points on the team’s fourth line. His promising versatility may be slightly compromised by getting suspended when his team needed him most. His agitation and physical play are selling points, but being less inspired by his father Claude Lemieux could help.
What This Means
Lemieux played some short-handed time in 2019-20, picking up one and one assist there. Perhaps more surprising is that he also got five points on the power-play. His versatility isn’t just on special teams, but also on playing wing. He can line up on the left or right side, which will come in handy when his most common linemate Kaapo Kakko gets promoted higher in the lineup. There’s room for him with the Rangers, as the team can use the edge he brings. The question is if he can keep it focused enough to walk that fine line between drawing and taking penalties. His defence also needs to improve, and at 24 years old it’s going to be expected. The Rangers are an improving team with a well-stocked prospect pool, so if Lemieux doesn’t step up he can easily find himself left behind.
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