The New York Rangers have made their first move of the offseason by signing RFA Sammy Blais to a one year $1,525,000 contract. Blais was acquired by the Rangers along with a second round pick in 2022 in a deal that sent Pavel Buchnevich to the St Louis Blues.
Blais played 14 games with the Rangers this season before tearing his ACL. Though he was participating in practices by the time the team was eliminated from the playoffs, he didn't return to the ice. Blais had 4 assists in the 14 games he played.
This is the first of what is expected to be a busy offseason for GM Chris Drury, after his team's run to the conference final. Kaapo Kakko, Julien Gauthier and Alexandar Georgiev are also about to become restricted free agents. Ryan Strome, Andrew Copp, Frank Vatrano, Kevin Rooney, Tyler Motte, Greg McKegg and Justin Braun all will be unrestricted free agents. New York has just under $12,000,000 in cap space available.
The #176 pick in 2014 is expected to be at full health for next season, and could slot in on the third or fourth line depending on what decisions the Rangers make with the rest of their roster.