According to CapFriendly, Steven Fogarty has accepted his qualifying offer, signing with the New York Rangers for one year. The deal is a two-way contract that will pay Fogarty $709K in the NHL, and will keep him a restricted free agent next summer unless he fails to play in 79 games in the NHL. At that point, he would be eligible for Group VI unrestricted free agency.
Fogarty, 25, was originally selected in the third round by the Rangers in 2011, but only made his NHL debut in 2017-18. That was just a single game for the big center, who hasn’t been able to develop into the two-way power forward the team had hoped. With just 20 points in each of the last two seasons in the AHL, he won’t be relied upon for much offense.
Instead, it’s his physical play, defense and leadership that the Hartford Wolfpack will welcome back for another year. Fogarty is still waiver-exempt despite his age, and could be used as an injury replacement throughout the year for the Rangers. He’ll have to show at least some improved skill with the puck to stick at the higher level though, as even the best defensive forwards need to contribute sometimes.
Who said you cant rebuild on the fly?
Heck, after this the rebuild is practically done.