Despite all the rumors, the New York Rangers have been relatively quiet this offseason but have made some moves to strengthen their organization’s depth.
On Friday, general manager Chris Drury made another of those depth-focused moves, bringing back a veteran defenseman on a one-year deal.
The Rangers have signed Chad Ruhwedel
The organization announced on Friday that Chad Ruhwedel has returned to the Rangers on a one-year, two-way contract. According to Vince Mercogliano, the deal is worth the league minimum of $775,000.
Ruhwedel played in 47 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, scoring once and registering three assists on 12:33 of ice time per night while being a minus-four before being traded to the Rangers at the deadline in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
The 34-year-old would appear in five regular season games for the Blueshirts, being a minus-two on 14:08 of ice time per night. Ruhwedel didn’t appear in any of the Rangers’ 16 playoff games.
Over the course of his 12-year NHL career, the California native has appeared in 364 career NHL games between the Rangers, Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres, scoring 13 goals and registering 36 assists for 49 points. Ruhwedel has also appeared in 25 playoff games, winning the Stanley Cup during the 206-17 season, but hasn’t registered a postseason point.
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What does this mean for the Rangers?
Bringing back Ruhwedel is nothing more than a depth move by Drury and company. The Blueshirts are already set at right defense with Adam Fox, Braden Schneider, and Jacob Trouba ahead of him on the depth chart.
Of course, if one of those players were to get hurt or get traded, the 34-year-old could get a chance to play consistently in the world’s most famous arena.
However, Ruhwedel will likely end up as the seventh or eighth defenseman, with some upside that will be on the top pairing in Hartford and provide the Rangers with excellent insurance at the defensive position.
