Rangers Making Moves

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The Rangers announced today that they have re-signed forward Matt Puempel to a one-year deal, worth $725,000. The signing appears to be Jeff Gorton trying to add another player to the expansion draft, with the Blueshirts now being compliant for next week’s draft. With Jesper Fast, Oscar Lindberg, Antti Raanta and Michael Grabner all top candidates to be selected by Vegas, this gives George McPhee another player to look at from his former team. Should Puempel “survive” the expansion draft, he will be able to compete for a roster spot out of training camp.

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The team also announced that they have hired former Rangers Jed Ortmeyer and Steve Eminger to their front office. Ortmeyer, who played with the Blueshirts from 2003-2007, will serve as the team’s director of player development. The role was recently vacated by Chris Drury, who was promoted to general manager of the Wolf Pack. When he was a player, Ortmeyer was one of the team’s hardest working players and was the recipient of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award in both the 2003-04 and 2006-07 campaigns. He was never the most skilled player, but he can instill his work ethic and dedication to the game in all of the Rangers young and talented prospects.

As for Eminger, he has been named as a professional scout. Eminger will be responsible for scouting the AHL and NHL’s talents. Eminger was always a serviceable defenseman, making the simple and smart plays.

Scott Audette

Finally, the Blueshirts announced that they have hired Ben Prentiss as a strength and conditioning consultant. Prentiss, who owns Prentiss Hockey Performance in Connecticut, has been the offseason trainer for some of the NHL’s top current and former players including Jonathan Quick, Martin St. Louis, and Kevin Shattenkirk; and current Rangers Chris Kreider, Marc Staal and Pavel Buchnevich. Prentiss has become known as “the best-kept secret,” as this Players Tribune piece highlights. Perhaps this hiring may entice Shattenkirk a drop more to come back to his boyhood team.

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