FREE AGENT FRENZY: 101

 

 

General Manager Martin Auzins announced that the club has signed defenseman Roman Josi to a four-year, $28 million contract. 

 

“Re-signing Roman was a top priority as we look to regroup heading into the 2017-19 season,” Auzins said. “Roman has proven, with his growth and success in Dallas, that he is one of the best defensemen in the EHE. Roman’s skating ability and instincts have allowed him to play in all key situations. With today’s signing, we have our top defensive pairing locked up long-term, and we look forward to Roman’s continued development and contribution to the Rangers’ on-ice success.”

 

Josi, 27 (6/1/90), posted 66 points (18g-48a) while appearing in all 82 of Dallas’s games in 2016-13, tying his 82-game total from his previous campaign in 2015-16. The Bern, Switzerland native saw his average ice time stay at 25 minutes per night for the 3rd straight season, leading the team in ice time while total minutes played were impressive at (2,093:58) last season.

 

The 6-1, 192-pound blueliner had standout 3 years in Dallas, becoming the first Swiss player to be named to two All Star Games and winning James Norris Memorial Trophy as 2015-2016 best defenseman.

 

Dallas’s draft choice, 114th overall (fourth round), in the 2014 EHE Inaugural Draft, Josi has posted 167 points (41g-126a) in 212 regular-season games.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New York Rangers General Manager Martin Auzins announced that the team has agreed to terms with free agent goaltender Chris Nell.

 

Nell, 22, appeared in 34 games with the Bowling Green State University Falcons this season, posting a 17-14-2 record, along with a 2.15 GAA, a .916 SV%, and 4 SO. He posted four shutouts for the second consecutive season, tying his collegiate career-high, and he is tied for 10th in the NCAA in shutouts this season. Over his final eight appearances of the season, Nell posted a 7-1-0 record, along with a 1.26 GAA, a .957 SV%, and 3 SO, and he registered three consecutive shutouts from Feb. 11 vs. Mercyhurst to Feb. 25 vs. Alabama-Huntsville. He was named the NCAA's First Star of the Week, as well as the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week, for the week ending on Feb. 26, as he stopped all 71 shots he faced in two appearances.

 

The 6-1, 190-pounder appeared in 84 collegiate games over three seasons at Bowling Green (2014-15 - 2016-17), posting a 41-29-10 record, along with a 2.07 GAA, a .922 SV%, and 11 SO. Nell holds Bowling Green records for career GAA, SV%, and shutouts. The Green Bay, Wisconsin, native was named to the WCHA First All-Star Team, and received Bowling Green's Most Valuable Player Award, in 2015-16, as he posted an 18-11-6 record, along with a 1.91 GAA, a .930 SV%, and 4 SO in 37 appearances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New York Rangers agreed to a three-year deal with right wing Steve Bernier on Tuesday.

 

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

 

The 32-year-old Bernier had 2 goals and 4 assists last season playing for St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings.

 

The Quebec City player was drafted 988th overall by Columbus in 2014 EHE Inaugural Draft and has 12 goals and 25 assists in 175 career regular-season games with the Blue Jackets, Blues and Kings. He also appeared in 10 playoff games with Los Angeles but didn't register any points.

 

 

Earlier Monday, the Rangers traded: 

 

Forward Brad Richardson to Los Angeles for 2018 DP - Round 5 (LA) and 1 million in cash. 

 

 

Forward Matt Puempel to Anaheim for 2018 DP - Round 4 (ANA and 800k in cash.