The New York Rangers continued their offseason work by securing a young piece on defense, handing out a two-year contract to one of their restricted free agents. It marks the second time in a week the organization has extended a player who could be part of the next wave of contributors in New York.
The newly signed defenseman, who spent most of last season in the AHL, will start his new deal under a two-way structure in year one before transitioning to a one-way agreement in the second. While the exact figures weren’t released, the player will remain under team control as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights when the contract expires in 2027.
Just a year ago, his future with the club was uncertain. After three seasons in the minors without an NHL appearance, it wasn’t guaranteed he’d even receive a qualifying offer. But New York kept him in the fold — a move that paid off this past season with a breakout campaign in Hartford, where he led all defensemen on the team in points and earned a late-season call-up.
He capitalized on that opportunity, appearing in the final two games of the regular season and logging major minutes alongside a top-pairing partner. Despite limited NHL exposure, he made a strong impression, nearly scoring in his debut and playing over 30 minutes across the two contests.
At 6-foot-4 and over 210 pounds, he brings size and a developing all-around game to a defensive corps that could see changes in the coming months. With the future of another restricted free agent on the left side still uncertain, there could be an opening for him to grab a regular NHL role heading into training camp.
The Rangers have now re-signed three RFAs to two-year deals this offseason, continuing to shape their roster while maintaining ample cap space. While not the biggest headline, this deal reinforces New York’s growing emphasis on internal development and depth as they prepare for a potentially transformative 2025-26 season.
