2012 NHL Free Agency: Taylor Pyatt Agrees To Deal With New York Rangers, According To Report

The New York Rangers signed forward Taylor Pyatt on Tuesday to a two-year, $3.1 million contract, according to a report (via Pro Hockey Talk).

The 11-year veteran has spent the last three seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes scoring an average of 13 goals per season, though his total fell to a low of nine goals with Phoenix last season as his ice time fell. In the playoffs last season, Pyatt had four goals and two assists for Phoenix. For his career, Pyatt has scored 130 goals to go with 134 assists. He hasn't been much of a factor on the power-play since he was with the Canucks in 2006-2009.

The Rangers have been seeking to upgrade their offense. Pyatt, a first-round pick of the New York islanders in 1999, may be a piece of the puzzle. His declining production, though, tells you he isn't the entire answer.

For more on the Rangers, please be sure to check out our blog Blueshirt Banter and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates. For everything on the NHL's free agency, check out SB Nation hockey hub page.

2012 NHL Free Agency: Rangers' Quiet Start Shouldn't Be Surprising

The New York Rangers opened up on Day 1 of free agency with a whole lot of -- nothing. Sure, they added a few incremental pieces and lost a few others, but this free-agency period doesn't have the glitz of years past -- a contrast to last year especially, when the Rangers added the coveted unrestricted free agent Brad Richards on Day 2. Typically, the big-spending team from New York inches to open its checkbook for every marquee free agent. But this year that is highly unlikely to be the case. A young team with a blossoming nucleus, New York can now add the right players on its own terms to fit its mix.

The Rangers really had three main goals for the offseason: re-sign Martin Biron, find a top-six winger and find a right-handed defenseman. For one, forward Zach Parise said on break-up day with the Devils that there was "no way" he'd sign with the Rangers, and they never made much of a play for him Sunday, at least according to reports. Though they could use his right-handed shot and strong two-way game, defenseman Ryan Suter doesn't appear to be a target for the Rangers, who is said to be seeking a 12-year deal worth $100 million.

To find a top-line forward, the Rangers realize they'll have to use the trade rout. It's clear that general manager Glen Sather wants Columbus' Rick Nash. A deal will get done, it seems, once its general manager, Scott Howson, lowers his demands. With the youth on defense on the NHL club and a guy like Tim Erixon ready to be given a shot, New York doesn't necessarily need to go crazy for a defenseman, though it lacks someone with power-play smarts on the right side. This piece will likely be added in the coming days, but the Rangers don't necessarily need to be in a rush and can afford to let the market take shape and possibly go after someone like Matt Carle after Suter signs. Beyond their three objectives, the rest of free agency is purely filling in the gaps.

Even though they don't seem to be in the discussions for the top-tier guys, the Rangers didn't sit around on Day 1. The theme of the day centered on toughness. Sather was prepared to lose Brandon Prust, a heart-and soul player, willing fighter and excellent penalty killer, but one with very low offensive upside. Prust earned $800,000 last season, and he will now get an average of $2.5 million per year for four season from the Canadiens. As much of a beloved Rarnger he became, the Rangers were right to pass on that price.

What the Rangers did to counter the reality that they'd lose Prust, was sign former Penguin Arron Asham, to a two-year $2 million deal. This signing was made official before Prust's, but the front office had the inkling Prust would be out of its price range. Asham, who had five goals and 11 assists last year, is more of an enforcer -- he had 76 penalty minutes as well. He's a bit less skilled than Prust and probably won't play on the penalty kill, but not $1.5 million worse. He and Mike Rupp will likely be the two to comprise the tough fourth line. New York also addressed keeping its big boys on the roster by re-signing 25-year-old defenseman Stu Bickel to a two-year $1.5 million contract. Bickel, beyond being another guy not afraid to drop the gloves, grew in the defensive role as the season went on and is not a bad sixth/seventh blueliner. The Rangers also re-signed Kris Newbury to a two-year, two-way deal. Newbury has a scoring knack for a bully-type, but will continue to be a tweener at the NHL level. Sather also brought in ex-Islanders tough guy Michael Haley, who has played 43 games tallied three points and has 151 penalty minutes. He's likely ticketed for the AHL.

The Rangers will have to make due without John Mitchell, who left for the Avalanche for two years at an average of $1.1 a year. Mitchell made $725,000 last season and was a versatile player who was good on faceoffs, though he's still just a bottom-six guy. Rugged fight-only John Scott left for the Sabres, while AHL goalie Chad Johnson left for the Coyotes on a two-way deal. All in all, Prust was the only player the Rangers lost who really exemplified and was crucial to the team's identity.

The Rangers have about $18 million in salary cap space and nearly a full roster to work with. Michael Del Zotto must be re-signed. Other than that, a defenseman or two and maybe a forward will be added in free agency. The Rangers have minor-league youth ready to vie for spots in the lineup next season, so they'll be careful to not add players that could block the the youngsters' chances.

Their most substantial pieces will be brought in via the trade route, though, so fans should not be disappointed with free agency period devoid of excitement.

NHL Free Agency 2012: Brandon Prust Headed To Montreal, John Mitchell To Colorado

The New York Rangers lost three players on the first day of the 2012 NHL free agency period Sunday. Brandon Prust signed a four-year contract worth $2.5 million per season to play for the Montreal Canadiens. Meanwhile, young center John Mitchell will be making his way to the Colorado Avalanche on a two-year deal. The Rangers also lost goaltender Chad Johnson to the Phoenix Coyotes.

Prust led the Rangers with 152 penalty minutes last season, and recorded 17 points playing in all 82 regular season games. He was reportedly asking for more money than the Rangers were willing to pay. When the team signed Arron Asham earlier in the day, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Prust.

Mitchell was called up 20 games into last season. He started strong, but his play petered off late in the season. In 63 regular season games, Mitchell notched 16 points off five goals and 11 assists. The Rangers have reportedly expressed interest in Ottawa Senators forward Jesse Winchester as a possible replacement.

Johnson did not play with the Rangers last season. He went 22-18-6 with a 2.49 goals-against average and .919 save percentage with the Connecticut Whale last season. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with Phoenix.

For more on the Rangers, please be sure to check out our blog Blueshirt Banter and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates. For everything on the NHL's free agency, check out SB Nation hockey hub page.

NHL Free Agency 2012: New York Rangers Sign Micheal Haley

The New York Rangers' busy day on Sunday, the first day of NHL free agency, continued when they inked former Islander Micheal Haley (via ESPN). The Rangers also signed free agent forward Arron Asham and re-signed defenseman Stu Bickel on Sunday.

Haley, 26, has played 43 games in his three-year NHL career with the Isles. Haley, an enforcer, had his first fight during the 2009-2010 season and injured his hand in a fight with Bickel last season. In his career, Bickel has two goals and an assist (both during the 2010-2011 season when he played a career-high 27 games) to go with 151 penalty minutes. Last season, Haley had 57 penalty minutes in 14 games.

For more on the Rangers, please be sure to check out our blog Blueshirt Banter and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates. For everything on the NHL's free agency, check out SB Nation hockey hub page.

NHL Free Agency 2012: Rangers Sign Forward Arron Asham

The New York Rangers aren't making a lot of noise during the early parts of the NHL's free agency period, but they are making some moves. Shortly after re-signing defenseman Stu Bickel, the Rangers inked forward Arron Asham to a two-year, $2-million deal.

The former Pittsburgh Penguin is known as a "tough-guy" forward and is expected to replace Brandon Prust, who's now expected to be on his way out of New York. Asham is 34 years old and will now have played for every Atlantic Division team.

In 756 career games, Asham has tallied 92 goals and 114 assists for 206 total points. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1996.

For more on the Rangers, please be sure to check out our blog Blueshirt Banter and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates. For everything on the NHL's free agency, check out SB Nation hockey hub page.

2012 NHL Free Agency: Stu Bickel Re-Signs With Rangers

The 2012 NHL free agency period begin Sunday, and the New York Rangers haven't made any big splashes yet, but they did re-sign a key player on their blueline. The Rangers and defenseman Stu Bickel agreed in terms to a two-year, $1.5 million contract.

The move adds depth and toughness to the Rangers' defense, which was key in helping the Blueshirts make it to the Eastern Conference Final. Bickel is expected to earn a roster spot as a third or fourth defensemen.

Last season, Bickel, 25, played in 27 games and compiled a plus/minus of plus-four. Bickel also had 80 penalty minutes, one goal and three assists.

Expect this to not be the last free-agent move the Rangers make on defense.

For more on the Rangers, please be sure to check out our blog Blueshirt Banter and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates. For everything on the NHL's free agency, check out SB Nation hockey hub page.

2012 Rangers Offseason: Justin Schultz Goes To Edmonton Oilers

After courting prized defenseman Justin Schultz for quite some time, the New York Rangers came up empty.

Schultz spurned the Big Apple for a slice of western Canada, and will sign with the Edmonton Oilers, according to the team's official Twitter account.

Schultz was originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks back in 2008, but their rights to him ran out this summer after he played at the University of Wisconsin for four seasons. He became the hottest rookie free agent on the market, having his pick of multiple teams before deciding a future with Edmonton.

According to Mark Spector, Schultz will have a cap hit of $3.775 million. Not bad for a guy who has never even played a second in an NHL game.

Schultz was being pursued by the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota Wild along with the Rangers and Oilers. However, he ultimately went with a very young yet up-and-coming team that with the bevy of talent it possesses, could be very dangerous sooner rather than later.

All is not lost for New York, who could certainly use that money on a goal-scoring forward. Time will tell what general manager Glen Sather has in mind.

For more on the Rangers, please be sure to check out our blog Blueshirt Banter and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Justin Schultz Rumors: Rangers Out Of Running For Defenseman, According To Report

The New York Rangers will not be the team that lands coveted defenseman Justin Schultz according to the Twitter feed from Bob McKenzie of TSN.

New York was one of six teams in the running for Schultz, who was declared a free agent on Monday after spending the last three years at the University of Wisconsin. The 6-foot-2 Schultz was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 2008, but his representation found a loophole in the soon to be expired CBA that allowed him to become a free agent because he spent an extra year in junior hockey.

The Rangers were the only American team considered by Schultz, who preferred to stay closer to home in Western Canada. Other teams trying to sign Schultz included the Edmonton Oilers, the Vancouver Canucks, the Edmonton Oilers, and the Ottawa Senators. According to McKenzie, the Toronto Maple Leafs were also eliminated from consideration.

For more on the New York Rangers, visit Blueshirt Banter and SB Nation New York.

NHL Free Agency 2012, New York Rangers Preview