The New York Rangers have signed free agent forward Micheal Haley to a one-year contract worth $700,000 for the 2019-20 season. This is Haley’s second stint with the Rangers organization.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with forward Micheal Haley.
Full details ⬇️
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 1, 2019
Michael Haley Signs With the Rangers
Haley has played for the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and San Jose Sharks in his nine-year NHL career. He has put up 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 career points in 248 career games. The Islanders originally signed Haley to a two-way deal on May 19, 2008.
Last season he scored two goals and four assists for six points in 43 games with San Jose. He also added 75 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 48.8 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -1.4.
The Guelph, Ontario native played in five pre-season games with the Rangers as part of a professional tryout contract. Haley had played nine regular season games with the Rangers in the 2012-13 season. He also appeared in two post-season games for New York where he did not record a point.
What This Means for the Future
Some will wonder why someone like Filip Chytil and Vitali Kravtsov were sent down to Hartford of the AHL while Haley and Greg McKegg were allowed to stay up with the big club. However, it seems like the Rangers want to give top-six minutes to those forwards instead of having them languish in the bottom-half of the lineup.
Haley will likely be on the bottom six and probably spend most of his time on the fourth line. He’s been known to drop the gloves and fight when needed and can be physical. The 33-year-old is going to be the muscle in a young lineup that features plenty of dynamic skaters and playmakers.
The Rangers know they’ve got a veteran player that’s willing to work hard and do whatever is asked of him. He won’t light up the scoreboard, but he’s worked for his place on the roster.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 19: Micheal Haley #38 of the San Jose Sharks skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 19, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
