The New York Rangers had a busy day following the NHL Expansion Draft as they announced the signing of center Barclay Goodrow.
 New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced Wednesday that the team has agreed to terms with Barclay Goodrow on a six-year contract. The contract is for $21.85 million with an AAV of $3.641.667 million (Per CapFriendly.com). The deal also includes a 15 team no-trade clause.
Goodrow, 28, skated in 55 games with Tampa Bay this past season, registering six goals and 14 assists for 20 points, along with a plus-16 rating and 52 penalty minutes. He established a career-high in plus/minus rating in 2020-21, and he led the Lightning in plus/minus rating during the season.
The 6-2, 203-pounder has skated in 331 career NHL games over parts of seven seasons (2014-15 – 2020-21) with San Jose and Tampa Bay, registering 32 goals and 61 assists for 93 points, along with a plus-13 rating and 304 penalty minutes. Goodrow is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, as he helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21. He established career-highs in several categories in 2019-20, including goals (eight), assists (18), points (26), average ice time (15:55), and hits (162). Goodrow has recorded at least 100 hits in each of the last three seasons (Via NYRPR).
Schedule Release
The National Hockey League also announced its schedule for the upcoming 2021-2022 season. The Blueshirts will begin their 95th NHL season with a back-to-back set on Wednesday, Oct. 13 against the Washington Capitals at Washington and on Thursday, Oct. 14 against the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden.
The Blueshirts will play their first all-time game against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday, Oct. 31 at Seattle. In addition, New York will host Seattle for the first time on Sunday, Jan. 30 at MSG. The Blueshirts will play nine of their first 12 games this season, as well as 14 of their first 21 games this season, on the road. The Rangers will conclude the season with 10 of their final 14 games at MSG (and with their four road games during the stretch at New Jersey, Philadelphia, NY Islanders, and Boston).
Rumors
The NHL Entry Draft is slated for Friday night where the Rangers are scheduled to have the 15th pick in the first round. They should actually be selected 16thm but the Arizona Coyotes do not have a first-round pick, so they will move to position 15.
As of Wednesday night, the club has not announced any trades that would change their selection, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been plenty of rumors about what may happen prior to the draft.
Frank Seravalli reported some news that caught many fan’s attention in his Ice Breakers column for Dailyfaceoff.com
-Sources said the Kraken were underwhelmed with the options at center presented in the Expansion Draft, so they may pursue bulking up at the position via the trade market. Ryan Strome has been linked to the Kraken. Would Strome make any sense in Vegas, who is also looking for centers?
-The Rangers have attempted to move arbitration-eligible RFA Pavel Buchnevich for weeks now. New York has been seeking a suitor for goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. The ask is believed to be a first-round pick. It’s unlikely Georgiev, who is also seeking a fresh start, will fetch that price.
Jack Eichel trade has picked up some steam over the last 24 hours. Are the Rangers the leading contender to acquire Jack Eichel? Sources say the Rangers have quietly checked with each of the teams holding a pick inside the Top 10 of Friday’s Draft, inquiring about the price to acquire it.  The belief is the Rangers would like to package that pick in a transaction for Eichel, as the Sabres are reportedly seeking another lottery-range pick to go with their No. 1 overall selection.
The last interesting report for Seravalli involved some current Vegas Golden Knights. Is Gerard Gallant Gerard interested in attempting to pluck one of Jonathan Marchessault or Reilly Smith out of Vegas? Both are available.
Brendan Smith To Test Free Agency
Rangers beat reporter Larry Brooks reported that the Rangers and defensemen Brendan Smith will part ways with Smith testing free agency on July 28.
Have been told that Rangers are moving on from Brendan Smith as depth defenseman.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) July 22, 2021
Smith has been with the Blueshirts for the past five seasons and became one of the leaders of the team this past season on and off the ice. This is of no surprise as Smith is expected to get a long-term deal offered to him.
MSG Network To Offer Live Programming
MSG Networks announced on Thursday special programming to get fans ready for all the upcoming action.
The live draft and free agency coverage on MSG Networks will kick-off with an “NHL Draft Special†on Friday, July 23rd from 9:00-10:00 pm ET, featuring real-time updates and analysis from Rangers host John Giannone, Rangers analyst Dave Maloney, Devils host Erika Wachter and Devils analyst Bryce Salvador. The crew will recap the Devils 4th overall selection, as well as provide immediate reaction to the Rangers’ pick at 15. They will also preview the rest of the opening round, including the Devils’ additional first-round selection at 28.
On Wednesday, July 28th, John Giannone and Erika Wachter will be joined by Rangers analyst Steve Valiquette, Islanders host Shannon Hogan, Islanders analyst Butch Goring and Devils analyst Ken Daneyko for a live “NHL Free Agency.