The New York Rangers have bolstered their depth during Free Agent Frenzy by signing forwards Greg McKegg and Dryden Hunt and defenceman Jarred Tinordi.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with free agent forward Greg McKegg on a one-year contract and with free agent forward Dryden Hunt on a two-year contract. pic.twitter.com/8EJbGMLQP4
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 28, 2021
Greg McKegg Signing Headlines Rangers Depth Acquisitions
McKegg returns to the Blueshirts after spending the 2020-21 season with the Boston Bruins. He managed only five games and one goal during the most recent shortened season. The year prior, he provided depth on the Rangers’ fourth line, scoring five goals in 53 games. He returns on a one-year, two-way deal worth $750,000.
Meanwhile, the Rangers also snagged left-wing UFA and former Arizona Coyote, Dryden Hunt. The 25-year-old, Regina Pats alumni is a big hitter who makes New York instantly nastier; his 94 hits in only 26 games last season led the Coyotes comfortably in hits-per-game rate. Hunt signs a two-year deal to provide another bottom-six option.
Finally, Jarred Tinordi was also picked up in order to flesh out the blue line depth. The former Bruin and Predator has played 190 NHL games across six seasons. Though he’s been used sparingly of late; Tinordi has suited up for only 49 games in the last two seasons. He signs a two-year deal with an AAV of $900,000.
What This Means Going Forward
This continues new general manager’s Chris Drury‘s quest to add more grit to the lineup. Adding players like Barclay Goodrow and others will help the team on the backend. However, there may be a concern that the team has gotten away from its philosophy of being one of the flashier offensive teams in the league. The good news that this trio is fairly low-cost.
Adding Gerard Gallant as the team’s head coach certainly helps them in the ever-changing Metropolitan Division. Ownership has clearly signaled that the rebuild is over and the team needs to start winning games and make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
