The New York Rangers have made a small dent in their long list of offseason decisions. CapFriendly reports that the team signed winger Julien Gauthier to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth $800,000, noting that Gauthier will still be a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights.
Gauthier hasn’t panned out since the Carolina Hurricanes drafted him 21st overall in 2016, dealing him to the Rangers in exchange for defenseman Joey Keane four years later. In three seasons and 91 games with the Rangers now, Gauthier has just five goals, 12 assists, and 17 points. He’ll turn 25 just after the start of next season, meaning that time is running out for Gauthier to become a consistent producer at the NHL level. He has shot just 4.3 percent over his NHL career, though, suggesting his impact has been a bit more positive than his unlucky low goal totals would suggest.
He’s shown the sparse ability to hold it together in a bottom-six role, although he seemed to take a step back this season with a little more ice time. As the Rangers look to capitalize on their ascent to the top of the Eastern Conference food chain, they’re likely getting Gauthier signed so that they can attempt to trade him this offseason. The Athletic’s Arthur Staple did report this morning that both he and goaltender Alexandar Georgiev had requested a trade out of New York.
Classic Rangers move. Wasting money on a kid who can’t finish. Marcel Hossa 2.0.
Easier to trade a signed player than an unsigned one. Correct, he can’t seem to finish but some team will take a flyer on him as a cheap option for a 4th rounder. Considering he requested a trade, this makes it a bit easier to do that.
Unless nobody wants him and then they are stuck with him again this year. But yes, this will make a trade easier as long as the acquiring GM didn’t watch him the last 2 seasons.
Agreed. Not much trade value in him. He has stone hands for sure.
Another Ron Francis gem.