The New York Rangers have signed unrestricted free agent centre Nick Bonino to a one-year deal worth $800,000. Bonino was most recently a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second time in his career after a trade from the San Jose Sharks. Bonino, 35, has been in the NHL for 14 seasons with six different teams.
#NYR have agreed to terms with forward Nick Bonino on a one-year contract.
Details: https://t.co/pClZoTnj9r pic.twitter.com/48Lu3zlYX8
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 1, 2023
Nick Bonino Heading to New York
Bonino suffered an upper-body injury soon after arriving back in Pittsburgh. In 59 games with the San Jose Sharks, he recorded 10 goals and nine assists as well as 28 penalty minutes. Across his career, he has 353 total points in 823 games. He recorded a career-high 49 points in Anaheim in the 2013-14 season. At this stage of his career, Bonino is more of a defensive player who can still potentially generate 20-30 points in a full season.
Nick Bonino was originally drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round, 173rd in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Rangers Adding Experience and Depth
Nick Bonino signs in New York on an affordable deal for the Rangers to bring experience and round out the roster. He is one of three players over 35 years old who the Rangers have picked up on the first day of free agency. Goaltender Jonathan Quick and right-wing Blake Wheeler both took similar one-year deals.
The experience these players bring, along with established Rangers such as Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Jacob Trouba, will help New York develop its next generation of talent. New York is hoping to re-sign youngsters Alexis Lafrenière and K’Andre Miller, and will have to do the same with Kaapo Kaako and Braden Schneider next summer. The Rangers drafted all four of these players in the last five years.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
