One metric where the New York Rangers have been soft over the years has been their, well, softness. They have been easily pushed around over the years.
With an exceptionally young roster about hit the ice this coming campaign, there is an acute need for toughness.
To address part of that softness, Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton announced the signing of Cody McLeod to a one-year deal.
McLeod was claimed off waivers from the Nashville Predators in January of this year and had a goal and four points icing with New York; he had 111 penalty minutes in his 48 games with the Rangers and Preds.
McLeod, 34, is 6’2″, 220 pounds and should provide a level of cover for the Rangers’ developing young talent.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post suggested that the signing may not have filled the role Gorton was looking to complete. Brooks pointed this week that McLeod did not fulfill his responsibilities in a match with the Predators shortly after being acquired.
That may be the reason for the one-year deal.
Gorton started cleaning up the restricted free agent list on his roster and signed Jimmy Vesey to a two-year deal.
Terms of the deal were not officially released, but Vesey is excepted to make $2.25 million annually.
He had 17 goals and 28 points last season.
The BLueshirts also signed John Gilmour on a one-year contract.
At the same time, restricted free agents Chris Bigras, Steven Fogarty, Boo Nieves, and Rob O’Gara agreed on qualifying offers for the coming season.
The five players round out a corps of NHL-ready skaters who will most likely split time with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
Three restricted free agents remain unsigned including Kevin Hayes and Ryan Spooner and defenseman Brady Skjei.
Have scheduled for arbitration but reports suggest the Rangers will will come to terms with all three.
Spooner is the least likely to find a permanent spot on the roster but a quick start may alter that perception.
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