The New York Rangers announced the signing of two unrestricted agents yesterday. Hard hitting blueliner Denis Gauthier agreed to a 4 year contract, and resigning with New York was two way winger Jamie Langenbrunner signing on for 4 years. Blair Betts, a restricted free agent also resigned for 3 years and looks to be the teams 4th line center after a very good season in the minors. The signings give the Rangers quality players at reasonable prices that the team needs very badly, defense and wing. What the signings also do it push the Rangers very close to the cap. Rangers GM Ray Nuvolone doesn't seem too concerned with it; "Yeah with these two signing we are pretty much right at the cap and still having some players to sign we are going to take advantage of some of the rules other teams have used for temporary cap relief." Nuvolone of course is refering to Florida GM Jan Lapiolahti recent demotions of hi salary veteran players Dough Weight and Alexander Mogilny.
Even with player demotions the Rangers still have to try and find a way to sign a goaltender, a starting goaltender if possible unless they want to go into the season with Kevin Weekes as thier guy. The Rangers were one of the last teams Marty Turco considered before signing in Washington, but now the Rangers will shift thier attention to the best remaining tender, Nikolia Khabibulin. "Yes we are in talks with him and if we sign him we will make the proper roster moves to get Nik in here under the cap." Many belive either via trade or through demotion Derian Hatcher will be off the Rangers roster within the week. The big defender has been in many trade rumors of late and has a heavy price tag for his place on the team.
Nuvolone also announced the team has offered a contract to goaltending prospect Jason Bacashihua. He believes he is good enough to replace the recently departed Jason Labarbera who headed to Tampa Bay along with Jeff Halpern for John Madden and prospect Karil Lyamin.