Forward Bryan Little agreed to a three-year, $29.500 million contract with the New York Rangers on Friday. The contract has an average annual value of $7.500 million and runs through 2019-20.

 

The 30-year-old has spent his 3-season EHE career with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche franchises.

 

"The one thing I said was I wanted to sign a longer-term deal," Little said. "I wanted that stability. I knew I could play a lot longer and I wanted to see what New York, an original six franchise is all about. The term is kind of big for me. I wanted to be here for a while and be secure. Luckily they were offering that right away so it worked out."

 

Little had 52 points (18 goals, 34 assists) in 77 games last season.

 

"He's a very consistent player," general manager Martin Auzins said. "You can use him in a lot of different areas. He has the ability to score goals, he has the ability to make plays. He's gonna be one of our 50-plus percent faceoff guys. He's the type of two-way player, 200-foot player, that he is. The quiet leadership he provides. … There's zero maintenance with him. He comes to play each and every day, he's always one of the top physical testing players in here."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome back, Kevin!

Malone inked a three-year, entry-level contract with the Rangers on Friday.

 

The 22-year-old center finished his final college season with 18 goals and 24 assists in 36 games while recording a plus-24 rating. The undrafted youngster helped lead Harvard University to the NCAA's Frozen Four, and he will have a chance next season to find a spot in a New York lineup.