Breaking: Rangers sign former 1st round draft pick

The New York Rangers have announced that they’ve signed pending restricted free-agent forward Matt Puempel to a new contract. While the team has not released details, it’s been speculated that Puempel’s new deal is a one year agreement worth $725,000.

Claimed off of waivers from the Ottawa Senators last season, the 24 year-old former first round pick scored six goals and nine points in 27 games for the Rangers in 2016-17. Rangers fans may remember his hat trick from a 6-3 Rangers win against the Arizona Coyotes in late December. 

Originally drafted by the Sens 24th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Puempel has struggled to find consistency at the NHL level despite putting up respectable numbers at the AHL level. This “show-me” contract could be the last chance he gets to show his worth as a regular NHL player.