Rangers Sign UFA Viktor Stalberg

Darren Dreger of TSN and other sources are reporting that unrestricted free agent Viktor Stalberg, who was bought out by the Nashville Predators earlier this week, has signed a one-year contract with the New York Rangers. Dreger reports that the deal is for $1.1 million.

The 29-year-old Stalberg made a name for himself while winning a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 as one of the fastest skaters in the NHL. He also has good size at about 6-3, 210. Stalberg, who as a salary-cap casualty in Chicago after the cup win, had two goals and 10 points in 25 games for Nashville last year to go along with 17 points in 20 games at the AHL level.

$1.1 million for Stahlberg and New York Rangers.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2015

Since signing a four-year, $12 million contract with the Preds in 2013 he has scored just 10 goals and 25 points in 95 NHL games. Still, his combination of size and speed is rare, and he showed flashes of brilliance during a 22-goal, 43-point season with Chicago in 2011-12.

That year marked the only time he has eclipsed the 20-goal plateau, and over parts of six NHL seasons his next-best offensive showing was 12-12-24 in 77 games for the Hawks in 2010-11.

Be sure to follow all of today’s free-agent action on TheHockeyWriters.com Free Agent Tracker.  

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