The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with defenseman Chris Summers, the team announced Wednesday.
The 28-year-old, 2006 1st round draft pick (29th overall) came into the organization as a part of the Keith Yandle trade, grabbing a total of six games with the Rangers in his season and a half with the franchise. That deal saw the Coyotes acquire John Moore, Anthony Duclair, a 2015 2nd round draf tpick and a 2016 1st round draft pick. In return the Rangers got Yandle, Summers and a 2016 4th round pick.
Last year, Summers skated in 74 games with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. There he put up three goals, 11 points and 51 penalty minutes. The University of Michigan product is a veteran of 70 NHL games, split between the Coyotes and Blueshirts.
Summers is expected to again spend much of the season in the AHL. However, with the potential for a Dan Girardi buyout on the horizon and a need to address serious issues on the blue line, there may be opportunities opening up on Broadway.
Dustin Nelson is the News Editor for The Hockey Writers. He’s a contributor to Hockey Prospectus, Hockey Wilderness, and writes a column for Rotowire. He’s also written for Gone Puck Wild, Wild Xtra, InDigest, Electric Literature, The Rumpus, Tiny Mix Tapes, Prefix Magazine & other publications. Have a tip? Email him at dlukenelson[at]gmail[dot]com.
