The New York Rangers have re-signed restricted free agent defenceman Libor Hajek to a one-year, two-year contract worth $874,125 per season. This contract carries him through the end of the 2021-22 season. He retains his RFA status at the end of the deal.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with restricted free agent defenseman Libor Hajek on a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/wuGtsco2Eg
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 7, 2021
Libor Hajek Stays with Rangers
Over his three-year NHL career, Hajek has played for the just the New York Rangers.. He has put up three goals and seven assists for 10 career points in 77 career games. The Tampa Bay Lightning originally drafted him in the second round, 37th overall of the 2016 NHL Draft.
Last season he scored two goals and two assists for four points in 44 games. He also added 10 minutes in penalties for the 2020-21 season. His possession numbers were 36.0 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -14.1.
The Smrcek, Czech Republic native was acquired by the Rangers in a trade with Tampa Bay on February 26, 2018. Hajek has represented his home country on the international level. He played for the Czechs at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Champions. The 23-year-old also played for the Czech Republic at the most recent IIHF World Championships in Belarus.
What This Means for the Future
Hajek will likely be a bottom-pair or seventh defenceman for the Rangers. He’s yet to nail down a consistent spot in the lineup and there was some talk about his future with the club. New coach Gerrard Gallant will likely give the youngster a chance to prove himself.
The defenceman is a big body at 6-foot-2-inches tall and 203 pounds. He won’t light up the score sheet, but he can use his body to wear down. He’s also shown flashes at the AHL level of being a decent contributor on offence. Hajek will have to battle for his place at training camp with the Rangers having a lot of younger defenders itching to get time in the lineup.
