The 22-year-old, taken by the Rangers in the first round (No. 16 overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft began his fifth rookie camp on Wednesday when 22 hopefuls took the ice at the MSG Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. He arrived after switching up his summertime schedule, opting to move his workouts to Gary Roberts Performance in Vaughn, Ontario.

Among those working out at the former NHL forward’s facility were Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, as well as Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog.

“They helped me gain some of my confidence back that I didn’t really have here toward the end of the year,” he said, “so they did a great job.”

Othmann arrived at camp weighing 195 pounds, meaning he’s added about 10 pounds of muscle. He brought a more mature attitude as well.

“It’s just that when I got called up last year, I think I was a little bit nervous and starstruck at the time,” he said after skating at left wing on a line with center Noah Laba and right wing Gabriel Perreault. “I felt like being around NHL guys for the whole summer – and, I mean, I was around NHL guys basically since February. Coming to camp now, I’m not really nervous or anything like that.”

Scenes from Day 1. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/F705hEtRs0

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 10, 2025

After another day of practice, Othmann and the rest of his rookie teammates will get their first chance to make an impression on new coach Mike Sullivan and his staff when they play the Philadelphia Flyers’ rookies on Friday and Saturday in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

New York Rangers news and analysis

Othmann isn’t the only player at rookie camp to add some muscle. Perreault arrived 10 pounds bigger after his summer workout routine, although he still clocks in at just 180. “I know that it’s not going to be given to me,” he said of making the team out of training camp. “Every day I’ll work hard and try to prove it.”

Here’s a little from Perreault, who said he gained about 10 pounds this summer and came to camp around 180 lbs. #NYR pic.twitter.com/vvzPAiRgRD

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) September 10, 2025

Laba, who’s all but certain to begin the season with AHL Hartford, said “there’s a lot of lessons to be learned here, a lot of teaching points. … It’s my first one, so I am kind of taking it all in.” Playing between Othmann and Perreault “was awesome.” One thing that could boost Laba’s chances of making it to the Garden sooner rather than later is the Rangers’ lack of young talent in the middle.

Finally, as the Rangers remind us each year on Sept. 11, never forget those who lost their lives on this day in 2001.

We remember, reflect and honor all those affected by the events on September 11th. pic.twitter.com/e1XMxIjrje

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 11, 2025

NHL news and rumors

TSN: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin says the team is continuing to negotiate with Kirill Kaprizov after a media report indicated the star left wing turned down a record-setting deal said to be worth $128 million over eight years. Kaprizov is entering the final season of a five-year, $45 million contract. “My role as general manager is to protect our players,” Guerin said on the 10,000 Takes Show. I know two things. That info didn’t come from us, and it didn’t come from Kirill’s agent. I don’t know where it came from.

San Jose Hockey Now: The San Jose Sharks signed forward Michael Misa, the second player taken in the 2025 NHL Draft, to an entry-level contract on Wednesday. Misa  led all CHL players in scoring last season with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) and earned the Red Tilson Trophy as Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Player of the Year while playing for Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League.

NHL.com: Unlike Kaprizov, Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel says he’s not worried about his next contract as he enters the final season of an eight-year, $80 million deal. “For me, it’s business as usual,” Eichel told NHL.com at the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour on Wednesday. “Things like that kind of take care of themselves when you’re focused on the right things. I know that will sort itself out.” He said he’s at ease partly because there is mutual interest from both sides to get a deal done.

Sportsnet: To Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, brother Jack’s recently expressed public wish for a family reunion is a nothingburger. “I don’t even think it’s a big deal,” he told Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas on during a recording of the 32 Thoughts podcast. Jack and Luke Hughes play for the New Jersey Devils; Jack is locked up until 2030 and the Devils are working on a long-term deal with Luke. Quinn is two seasons away from unrestricted free agency and is making no promises to re-sign.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Speaking of Luke Hughes and the Devils, colleague James Nichols takes a look at his contract status. Luke and the Devils have yet to come to terms on an extension as training camp nears, though GM Tom Fitzgerald says he’s confident a deal will get done.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Sidney Crosby is trying to shrug off the trade questions during the players media tour in Las Vegas. But the words of his agent, Pat Brisson, have raised some eyebrows. Our colleague Dan Kingerski takes a complete look at Sid’s status.

Also going to Montreal in the deal are journeyman forward Tyler Pitlick, prospect Emil Heineman and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

If Calgary protects its 2022 pick, the Habs will get a first-round pick in 2023 as well as a fourth-rounder in 2024, according to multiple reports.

NHL Trade: Flames acquire Toffoli from Canadiens

Toffoli, 29, has 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 37 games this season, his second in Montreal. He signed with the Canadiens as a free agent in October 2020, helping the club reach the Stanley Cup Finals last season.

“He’s a winner, scores goals, kills penalties,” head coach Darryl Sutter said. “He’s a good player.”

Toffoli has 370 points (182 goals, 188 assists) in 614 career games, all but 100 of those with the Los Angeles Kings, who selected him in the second round of the 2010 draft.

Eichel to debut with Golden Knights

Vegas landed Eichel and a 2023 third-round draft pick in exchange for forwards Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs, a top-10 protected 2022 first-rounder and a 2023 second-rounder.

Eichel then underwent the surgery in early November, the first NHL player ever to undergo an artificial disk replacement. He returned to practice Jan. 11 and will play his first game of the season roughly three months after his procedure, ahead of an estimated timeline coach Peter DeBoer had given last month.

“It’s been a long wait but well worth it and we’re excited to bring Jack back on Wednesday night,” McCrimmon said Monday.

Eichel, 25, has totaled 355 points (139 goals, 216 assists) in 375 career games spanning six seasons in Buffalo. The center only played in 21 games in 2020-21 due to his injury.

“I’m sure there will be a lot of emotions Wednesday, I’m already starting to feel them,” said Eichel via ESPN. “I’m just trying to be realistic with myself and my expectations. I haven’t played in 11 months and no preseason games, and I’m jumping in against the best team in the league right now.”

“I have a lot to prove. To myself. To the rest of the league. To the organization.”

Also Monday, the Golden Knights moved captain Mark Stone to long-term injured reserve. The forward has been coping with a back injury while tallying 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists) in 28 games.

Evander Kane returns to San Jose

After being put on unconditional waivers by the Sharks on Jan. 8 for the purpose of having his contract terminated, Kane agreed to a one-year contract with the Oilers on Jan. 27. The 30-year-old forward was named San Jose’s team MVP in the 56-game 2020-21 season, when he led the Sharks with 22 goals and 27 assists.

“There wasn’t one incident or a certain thing that happened,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. “I think it was just a combination of a lot of things.”

Kane was asked if there was anything special about facing his old team.

“Not really,” Kane said. “Just a great opportunity to get two points. We play them more than once the rest of the season. It’ll be fun to be part of those games.”

NHL Rumors

Canucks said to be interested in Vitali Kravtsov, plus could the Rangers pursue Devils’ Pavel Zacha? Read more.

A report late yesterday indicated that Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask is contemplating retirement after his latest hip injury. Over in Vegas, Jack Eichel is now remarkably taking a full practice with contact just a few months post neck surgery in November.

Let’s jump into the news.

NHL: Tuukka Rask may retire

According to a new report in The Athletic by Fluto Shinzawa, Rask is expected to end his comeback and possibly retire in the coming days.

“I think that’s for Tuukka to comment on his stature,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said last night. “I was told he wouldn’t practice this week. I don’t think that’s changing at all. So if he has something to say, I think I’ll leave it to him.”

Rask last played against the Anaheim Ducks on January 24 and landed on injured reserve after feeling pain in his surgically repaired hip. If he does end his comeback bid, Rask finishes the season with a record of 2-2, a 2.28 GAA, and an 844 SV%.

Should Rask announce his retirement he will end his career with a record of 308-165-66 with 52 shutouts, a 2.28 GAA and a .921 save percentage in 564 games. All with Boston since making his NHL debut in 2007.

He holds Boston’s franchise record for most games played and wins by a goaltender.

Jack Eichel nears return

Center Jack Eichel practiced in full with the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.

“He’s been cleared for contact,” head coach Peter DeBoer said. “That’s the first day of full contact he’s had, is it 17 or 18 months or something like that? So now it’s a matter of, how does he respond? Do a little bit more the next day, a little bit more the next day. Hope for no setbacks.”

Eichel skated at the beginning of January in Charlotte, N.C. for the first time since his Nov. 12 spinal surgery. He had his first non-contact skate with the Knights on January 11, and DeBoer said he was still a month or two away.

There is still no definitive timetable per the Golden Knights, but we are now in the advanced stages of his eventual return.

The No. 2 overall draft pick in 2015 out of Boston University, Eichel racked up 139 goals and 355 points in 375 games for the Sabres.

Auston Matthews escapes injury

Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews felt “pretty good” Tuesday after taking a hit to the head Monday night, coach Sheldon Keefe said.

Matthews fell while battling Carolina Hurricanes forward Nino Niederreiter in the third period and was accidentally kneed in the back of the head by another player.

Keefe said Tuesday was already a scheduled day off for Matthews after he competed in the All-Star Game over the weekend. The Leafs don’t play again until Thursday night at the Calgary Flames.

“He came in today feeling pretty good, so that’s a really good sign obviously for his status in terms of practicing tomorrow,” Keefe said. “We’ll see how he comes in, but today was a very good day.”

NHL Rumors

A look at available Senators players. Maple Leafs trade deadline approach, and a Rangers offer for J.T. Miller? Read more.

-Field Level Media contributed to this article.

The surgery was the centerpiece of the tension between Eichel and his former team, the Buffalo Sabres. The procedure has never been performed on an NHL player and the Sabres were pushing for a fusion surgery for Eichel’s herniated disk.

Jack Eichel hopes for quick recovery

“You hope for the best but prepare for the worst,” Eichel said. “In that case obviously I’m hoping that it’s a three-month recovery, and after three months if I’m ready to get back to doing what I love.”

Eichel and a 2023 third-round draft pick were traded Thursday from Buffalo to Vegas in exchange for forwards Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs, a top-10 protected 2022 first-round pick and a 2023 second-rounder.

Eichel said Dr. Chad Prusmack at the Rocky Mountain Spine Clinic will perform the procedure.

Once he has the surgery, Eichel could be cleared to skate in six weeks but would be out at least three months before he’s cleared for contact.

Senators name Brady Tkachuk captain

As expected and long rumored, forward Brady Tkachuk was named captain of the Ottawa Senators on Friday.

“Brady personifies leadership,” Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said of the 22-year-old in a news release. “While on the ice, he craves winning and commands respect. Off of it, he routinely sets a good example for his teammates and carries himself with a combination of confidence and dignity. He’s deserving of this next step in his career. We’re proud to bestow the honor of being the team’s 10th captain upon him.”

Tkachuk is in his fourth season with the Senators, who selected him No. 4 overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. In 205 career games, he has tallied 129 points (62 goals, 67 assists) and 271 penalty minutes.

NHL Injury News

The Columbus Blue Jackets were dealt some bad news as forward Patrik Laine is expected to miss four to six weeks with an oblique strain.

Laine, who was placed on injured reserve Friday, was hurt in the Blue Jackets’ 5-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday in Denver. He had two assists in that contest to boost his season total to 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in nine games.

Washington Capitals forward Anthony Mantha underwent shoulder surgery on Friday and is out indefinitely.

The Capitals recalled forward Aliaksei Protas from Hershey of the American Hockey League to take the spot of Mantha, who was placed on injured reserve.

Mantha, 27, was injured during the second period of Washington’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday.

To Vegas: Jack Eichel, and a 3rd rd pick 2023

To Buffalo: Peyton Krebs, Alex Tuch, a 1st rd pick in 2022 (top 10 protected), and a 3rd in 2023

Pending trade call, The @BuffaloSabres trade Jack Eichel and a 2023 3rd round pick, to the @GoldenKnights for Peyton Krebs, Alex Tuch, a 1st in 2022 and a 3rd in 2023.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 4, 2021

Golden Knights seal the deal on Jack Eichel

Vegas was always one of the top teams involved in acquiring the 24 year center. They are also on board with Eichel getting the artificial disc replacement surgery that the Sabres refused.

The outlook for Eichel is he will have the surgery after the trade is finalized and is expected to be out between 3 to 4 months. Vegas will place him on LTIR for salary cap purposes.

Eichel has four more years remaining at $10M AAV. He has 355 points in 375 games.

-First published at The Daily Goal Horn

“There was a lot of work done over the weekend and today I was told a trade is at the 1 yard line.” Emily said on ESPN. “There’s still some final details they’ve got to figure out. I’m told that Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams is working extremely hard at this to get a deal done.”

Flames deny Jack Eichel trade rumors

The Sabres have remained steadfast in their stance that they will not retain salary in any Eichel trade. Some of the hold up could very well be involving a third team to help with retaining some of Jack’s $10M AAV for the remainder of his deal (4 more years).

There’s been plenty of talk surrounding the Vegas Golden Knights, but the tidbit about the Flames being a sleeper just went into a deep slumber.

Flames head coach, Darryl Sutter was asked about the Jack Eichel trade rumors involving Calgary today. “I wasn’t aware of that,” he said. “That’s just a media thing, to be quite honest. He’s an inactive, active player.”

Obviously Sutter would not come out and say a trade was close or that he even had knowledge. It’s still amusing to see this melodrama play out in real time.

Update: Flames offer has Matthew Tkachuk in it. Read Here.

Stanley Cup has name removed

The name of convicted sex offender Brad Aldrich, who worked as a video coach for the Chicago Blackhawks, has been removed from the Stanley Cup, TSN reported Wednesday.

The outlet said his name was “x’ed out” over the weekend when the names of the world champion Tampa Bay Lightning were added.

Last week, Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz asked the Hockey Hall of Fame to remove Aldrich’s name after an investigation confirmed he sexually assaulted a player during the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup run.

Kyle Beach, who was part of the team at the end of that season, stepped forward and identified himself as the player.

Crosby added to COVID List

Pittsburgh Penguins superstar captain Sidney Crosby and defenseman Brian Dumoulin sat out Wednesday’s practice after testing positive for COVID-19, head coach Mike Sullivan announced.

The Penguins said Crosby has mild symptoms and Dumoulin is asymptomatic. Both players were placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

• Jakob Silfverberg, ANA
• Riley Stillman, CHI
• Jujhar Khaira, CHI
• Henrik Borgstrom, CHI
• Max Domi, CBJ
• Viktor Arvidsson, LAK
• Gabriel Vilardi, LAK
• Mats Zuccarello, MIN
• Rem Pitlick, MIN
• David Rittch, NSH
• Sidney Crosby, PIT
• Brian Dumoulin, PIT
• Chad Ruhwedel, PIT
• Marcus Pettersson, PIT
• Kevin Labanc, SJS
• Timo Meier, SJS
• Erik Karlsson, SJS
• Jake Middleton, SJS
• Matt Nieto, SJS
• Radim Simek, SJS
• Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJS
• Jared McCann, SEA
• Ville Husso, STL
• Ryan O’Reilly, STL
• Kyle Clifford, STL

–Field Level Media contributed to this report

According to Kevin Weekes, the top two destinations for Eichel are the Flames and Golden Knights. He states that the situation is fluid, but in all honesty it’s been that way since he made his desire to leave officially public.

Jack Eichel trade in the works

Starting late Friday, Eichel trade talk started to hit a fever pitch. Just prior to Weekes’ report, Frank Seravalli noted that Vegas and Buffalo were “well down the track in discussions of what the framework of a trade would look like.”

Earlier today, the Golden Knights claimed Michael Amaido off waivers from the Maple Leafs. That was a move that certainly raised some eyebrows.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period also provided an update this evening. “Vegas remains very much engaged in talks with Buffalo,” he said. “There’s been a lot of traction towards a deal. One area still to be figured out, the dollars matching up (and how does that look if Eichel can’t play post-surgery).”

Vegas remains very much engaged in talks with BUF and as many have reported, there's been a lot of traction towards a deal. One area still to be figured out, the dollars matching up (and how does that look if Eichel can't play post-surgery). https://t.co/133TZiZYzE

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 30, 2021

As for the Flames, some wonder if they have the goods to get a deal done. Would they be willing to include Connor Zary in a deal, and is Buffalo interested in him? That obviously won’t be enough, but it would have to be a starting point. Then Calgary has to clear cap space to fit Eichel in eventually, which spells the end of Johnny Gaudreau as a Flame and likely Sean Monahan.

So while the Flames remain a possibility, it looks like Vegas will be close to landing Eichel.

7 Sharks on COVID Protocol

Per the San Jose Sharks website these players have been placed into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol:

F Andrew Cogliano
F Jonathan Dahlen
D Erik Karlsson
D Jake Middleton
F Matt Nieto
D Radim Simek
D Marc-Edouard Vlasic

This also caused a slight delay in the start time of their game this evening.

Update: As a result of several Sharks players/staff entering the League’s protocol earlier today, there will be a change to the start time of the game against the Jets from 4 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. to allow for the completion and analysis of Sharks’ test results in advance of the game

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) October 30, 2021

That interest died down once Buffalo put forth ridiculous demands even though the 24 year-old was injured. While the Rangers kept tabs on the situation all summer, even trying to trade him for him at the draft per a source, it never got close.

Chris Drury wisely deflected any connection to the rumors with agents so not to tip his hand. However, all the way up until Mika Zibanejad signed his extension, there were discussions.

Elliotte Friedman reignited the flame

The Rangers have certainly had trouble scoring this season. Through 7 games they are averaging just 2.14 goals per game. That ranks them 26th out of 32 teams.

That’s likely why fans continue to look for any answer, even injured ones that will be out until probably March.

Yesterday, Elliotte Friedman was on the Jeff Marek Show and gave his thoughts on Eichel’s situation and what he thinks is happening on the trade front. Sure as water is wet, he brought up the Rangers.

“All it takes is one phone call to change that and there’s no question that some teams have continued to engage at times,” Friedman explained. “The teams I wonder about are the Rangers, but now that they’ve signed Zibanejad I don’t think they can do it without someone retaining money.”

And that’s all some needed to hear, even though he mentioned 9 other teams.

It’s time to end the Jack Eichel connection

Can the Rangers find some crazy scenario where Buffalo retains a small amount and another team with cap space does so as well? Sure, but it’s a fantasy. As of right now, the Sabres have been absolutely unwilling to retain any money, and no third party team is likely to eat the 30-50% needed on Eichel’s $10M cap hit to make it workable.

And just days before Zibanejad signed his 8 year extension, a team executive with knowledge of the situation made it crystal clear to me, “the Rangers will be in on Eichel up until they sign Zibanejad.”

The Rangers have to take care of Adam Fox and Kaapo Kakko. The fact that Kravtsov, who would have also been an RFA at the end of year wants out could be a blessing in disguise. Let’s not forget Sammy Blais needs an extension. And then in 2022-23, Alexis Lafrenière and K’Andre Miller will be looking for their new deals.

Eichel to the Rangers is over. Move on.

Latest NHL Rumors

The Blackhawks may be facing some serious decisions, and Friedman on 10 destinations for Eichel. Read more.

“The Sabres do not want to retain any salary. They are willing to take contracts back to facilitate a deal but it is still difficult with so many teams close to the cap and Eichel still having four more years and $10 million a season,” Friedman stated. “Will the Sabres be willing to budge on that?”

Then Friedman gave us the jaw-dropping revelation.

NHL Rumors: Avalanche tried to trade for Jack Eichel

“One team I believe made a call to Buffalo to see if there was a way to make it work was the Colorado Avalanche,” Friedman revealed. “The Avalanche were told Buffalo wasn’t in position to take on salary and I heard the talks stopped right there.”

Whoa! So the offensively stacked Colorado Avalanche were trying to add Eichel? While Friedman didn’t;note when this happened, one would think it was before Gabriel Landeskog signed his deal. It could also explain why it went down to the wire. The Avs have no cap space to make an Eichel trade right now unless Buffalo took back players like Nazem Kadri and Erik Johnson in return.

“Until that hurdle moves a little bit or a solution found to it, I think it’s going to be one of the issue (for a Jack Eichel trade),” Friedman concluded.

Also during the segment, Jeff Marek defused the idea that Golden Knights with all their injuries could afford to send any healthy body to Buffalo to make a deal.

One has to wonder, what teams would could involved or re-involved if the Sabres did retain some salary?

Rangers trying to get Vitali Kravtsov to return

Elliotte Friedman also provided an update on the New York Rangers and Vitali Kravtsov.

“I understand the Rangers have asked him ‘would you like to AHL Hartford and work your way back up’,” he said. “Kaapo Kakko got hurt tonight, he hasn’t agreed but the offer is out there.”

Currently, there is no word on Kakko’s injury or if he will miss any time.

Kravtsov, 21, whom the Rangers selected 9th overall in the 2018 Draft wants out so bad that he will report to the AHL, so long as it is for another organization.

Will he agree to return for a brief conditioning stint and return to the Rangers? Some don’t think so as the relationship appears fairly strained. However; stranger things have happened.

I reached out to Kravtsov’s agent Dan Milstein about the request but he declined to make any public comments at this time.

Could the Devils make a play for Eichel?

Larry Brooks of the NY Post dropped this little idea in his Sunday Slap Shots column.

“So you’re Tom Fitzgerald, GM, and you have the chance to acquire Jack Eichel,” he wrote. “Are you interested if Nico Hischier is the featured piece of the package going the other way?”

The idea of the Devils possibly being in on the Jack Eichel sweepstakes isn’t new. Matter of fact, he could be a perfect there as New Jersey isn’t done retooling their roster to compete and they have young assets to get a deal done. They also have almost $10 million in cap space to make it work.

Stars Kingberg contract demand revealed

Klingberg, 29, 36 points in 53 games last year, and is headed towards UFA status next summer. According to reports, the two sides have been talking but so far they appear to be far apart on terms.

“There’s mutual interest, obviously, to get this guy locked into a long-term deal,” David Pagnotta said via TFP. “Both the Stars want it to happen and John Klingberg himself wants this to happen. But I can tell you, he’s a little bit disappointed that they weren’t able to get a new deal done by the start of the season.”

Based on some of the monster deals free agent defensemen have been signing, Klingberg could be asking for a significant increase from his current deal that pays $4.25M AAV.

“I can safely report that [Klingberg] is looking for an 8 year contract around $62 to $66 million,” Marek said Saturday.

The Dallas Stars opened up the vault for Miro Heiskanen at eight years for $8.45 million. They also have Esa Lindell with 4 years left on a deal that pays $5.8M and inked Ryan Suter for 4 years at $3.65M this summer. It’s possible that there just won’t be the money Klingberg is looking for.

If Klingberg hits the market, he will be a sought after commodity.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the Rangers for Zibanejad, who led the team in goals (24) and game-winning goals (seven) last season. The 28-year-old Swede also had 26 assists to finish with 50 points.

“I am super, super excited to be here for another 8 years,” Zibanejad said in a video. “I can’t believe it and I can’t wait to see you at the Garden soon. Let’s get this season started.”

New York Rangers extend Mika Zibanejad

The Rangers acquired Zibanejad and a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft from the Ottawa Senators on July 18, 2016. The Senators received fellow forward Derick Brassard and a seventh-round pick in the 2018 draft in the trade.

“Since joining the team in 2016, Mika has emerged as one of the premier players in the NHL,” Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury said in a statement. “In addition to being a great player on the ice, Mika is an exemplary person off of the ice. We are fortunate to have him as part of our Rangers organization and are excited that he will continue his career in New York.”

Zibanejad has recorded 434 points (200 goals, 234 assists) in 604 career games with the Senators (2011-16) and Rangers. He was selected by Ottawa with the sixth overall pick of the 2011 NHL Draft.

Meant to be a Ranger. 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/CXpSy8NKP7

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 10, 2021

Rangers effectively out of Jack Eichel trade talks

Leading up to this signing, Forever Blueshirts had learned through a well placed source, that the Rangers would be in Jack Eichel trade discussions up until Mika signed an extension.

Basically, the Rangers interest in Eichel was an unspoken bargaining chip that Chris Drury had in his back pocket. The bottom line is that Eichel was a plan B if Zibanejad was unwilling to come down a little on his ask. New York obviously did that by giving Mika the 8th year as security.

Drury will face some cap issues come next season with both Adam Fox and Kaapo Kakko coming off entry-level deals. Also needing to be re-signed are Vitali Kravtsov and Sammy Blais, with Alexis Lafrenière’s and K’Andre Miller’s ELC up the season after that.

Having both Eichel and Zibanejad on the books would’ve put a strain on their cap situation, and likely open them up to an offer-sheet.

In a previous report, the same person told me that Fox’s next deal should come in around $9 million. This likely means several Rangers could be moved out or looking for new homes next season. Alexandar Georgiev and Ryan Strome being at the top of the list.

The New York Rangers are hoping that Chytil will take the right steps this season and take over the #2 center job in 2022-23.

NHL Rumors

Today’s NHL Rumors dives in on Adam Fox, Jack Eichel, and more.

–Field Level Media contributed to this report