The New York Rangers came to terms with two restricted free agents on Tuesday, signing forward Nicklas Jensen and defenseman Mat Bodie to new deals. The team did not disclose AAV or term on the deals.
Jensen, a 2011 1st round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks (29th overall), has played in 24 NHL games in his career, all with Vancouver. In those games he’s put up three goals and three assists. He was acquired by the Rangers last season, along with a 6th round draft pick in the 2017 draft, in exchange for power forward Emerson Etem.
Split between the Utica Comets and Hartford Wolf Pack last year the 23-year-old wing scored 19 goals and 18 assist through 68 contests. He also posted four goals and an assist through 18 postseason matches with Hartford.
With the need for some cheap depth on the Rangers roster, Jensen will have a shot — though it may be a long shot — of making the NHL squad next season. He will be competing with other promising prospects, including the recently signed Pavel Buchnevich, who is unlikely to be spending any time in the AHL.
Bodie, a 26-year-old AHLer, skated 76 games with the Wolf Pack last season, putting up seven goals and 36 points with a plus-5 rating and 38 penalty minutes. He led all team defensemen in games played, points and assists.
