OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 26: Florida Panthers Defenceman Gustav Forsling (42) before a face-off during overtime National Hockey League action between the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators on March 26, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
Why Chad Ruhwedel signing was smart move by Rangers.
Though not a sexy move, the New York Rangers made a smart one Friday when they brought Chad Ruhwedel back on a a League-minimum one-year, two-way contract that pays him $775,000 at the NHL level.
This move is not flashy by any means, but it’s a smart play by Rangers general manager Chris Drury because the 34-year-old defenseman gives the Blueshirts increased security and maneuverability on the blue line. That he’s familiar with the system, players and coach Peter Laviolette is an extra plus.
Though not a sexy move, the New York Rangers made a smart one Friday when they brought Chad Ruhwedel back on a a League-minimum one-year, two-way contract that pays him $775,000 at the NHL level.
This move is not flashy by any means, but it’s a smart play by Rangers general manager Chris Drury because the 34-year-old defenseman gives the Blueshirts increased security and maneuverability on the blue line. That he’s familiar with the system, players and coach Peter Laviolette is an extra plus.
Seeking depth at defense, the Rangers traded for Ruhwedel ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, sending a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite injuries to Jacob Trouba, Ryan Lindgren, and Eric Gustafsson, Ruhwedel didn’t see much playing time, appearing in just five regular-season games with Zac Jones the first option to fill in on the blue line down the stretch.
Since the top-six defensemen were able to each play all 16 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, neither Jones nor Ruhwedel played in the postseason and Ruhwedel entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Still unsigned nearly two weeks after the beginning of NHL free agency, Ruhwedel returned to New York on the team-friendly deal.
Ruhwedel is likely the seventh defenseman on the depth chart now that Gustafsson signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings and Jones is expected to replace him on the third pair. Adding him to the roster is a savvy move by Drury that gives the Rangers increased flexibility through the offseason and into next season.
Ruhwedel didn’t play a major role for the Rangers this past season, and to be quite honest, they didn’t need him to. It quickly became evident that Jones would be the first defenseman called on if anyone went down, and deservedly so after the way he performed over the course of his 31 games. So, that put Ruhwedel eighth on the depth chart.
