Rangers solidify forwards

With a plethora of young centers on the team and in the system, the Rangers used some of that depth to add top line C/LW Valtteri Filppula. The acquisition sees the team move out young center Brandon Sutter (acquired in the Steen trade at the 2013-14 trade deadline) along with prospect Nicolas Kerdiles and draft pick in 2015 and 2016.

"We have made it no secret that we are rebuilding. But we also need to ensure that we are surrounding the younger players on the team with players that can help them improve their games and if in doing that help speed along the development process that would be a huge bonus. We think having guys like Ward, Filppula, Cullen, Dupruis, Hansen and Umberger here can only help us along."

Speaking ot Jannik Hansen, the New York Rangers have announced that they have come to terms on a 4 year deal with the winger that plays both sides of center equally well.

"Jannik was one of the three guys we were targeting specifically this off-season. We are very pleased to announce his signing. Jannik brings a versatility to his game that will benefit us in the long run. He also adds a great deal of experience and leadership to what we feel will be a solid group players and men. We are excited to have him join us"

The team extended offers to what they believed to be two Un-restricted Free Agent Forwards and one UFA Defenceman. However, the other forward was initially listed as a Unrestricted Free Agent, but there seemed to have been a mix up with his status and after a meeting between the MRFHLPA and BOD, the ruling came down that the player was in fact a Restricted Free Agent. The player and his agent were willing to consider the offer extended as an offer-sheet they were willing to sign, but Rangers GM was not willing to risk losing the compensation that would have been required should the players former team not match the offer.

"We like the player. We liked him alot more under the scenario in which he was Un-Restricted. Once the ruling came down that he was in fact Restricted, we decided to rescind the offer. We are still waiting on a final decision no a defenceman. We think that player can be a HUGE asset to thsi team. That player rounds out our defence and makes this team stronger. We hope to hear some good news today."

The Rangers are looking to do things the right way. The approach to this rebuild is honest in effort. They are not throwing out a bunch of kids, still dripping wet behind the ears, in an effort to tank. They are solid in goal, solid on defence (potentially better than solid) and solid at forward. As it looks, the Rangers could vie for a playoff spot as currently constructed.

The season cannot start fast enough.