We’ve only seen Matt Beleskey in a New York Rangers uniform for a single NHL game since being acquired last season, but it looks like that might change before long. The Rangers announced today that they’ve recalled Beleskey from the minor leagues, assigning Tim Gettinger back to the Hartford Wolf Pack in his place.
Beleskey, 30, was included as mostly a salary dump in the deadline deal that brought Rick Nash to the Boston Bruins last season. The physical forward is in the fourth season of a five-year, $19MM contract that he signed with the Bruins in 2015, but has never been able to reach the same level of offensive production that earned him the deal. That came back in Anaheim when Beleskey registered 22 goals in just 65 games during the 2014-15 season, more than he had in his entire Bruins career. In the minor leagues this season Beleskey has nine points in 14 games, as he tries to earn himself another chance at the NHL level.
In the trade last season Boston retained half of Beleskey’s $3.8MM cap hit, meaning he’ll only carry a $1.9MM number for the Rangers while he’s up. New York is actually still within striking distance of the playoffs, in fact are only five points behind the Washington Capitals for first place in the tight Metropolitan Division. Head coach David Quinn will hope that his new forward can inject some energy and physicality into the forward group.
Beleskey?…… L-E-G-E-N-D……. In all seriousness, best of luck to the guy. Hope he sticks, class act in Boston.
Gotta say Gavin you’re the hockey guy to go to. Deff your sport and you know it better than anyone!