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Broadway Bits for June 19: Hunwick, McDonagh, Zuccarello, Soderberg

Ryan McDonagh (NHL.com)

Ryan McDonagh (NHL.com)

 

Rangers interested in bringing back Hunwick

The NY Rangers have expressed interest in bringing back seventh defenseman Matt Hunwick for the 2015-16 NHL season. Last season, Matt was earning a salary of $600,000.00; and played very well when called upon.

Matt was involved in 55 games in the regular season and another six during the playoffs (five in the first round against Pittsburgh when he filled in for Kevin Klein and one in the ECF versus Tampa). In those six games, Matt averaged 11:47 per game.

In the regular season, Matt’s on ice average per game was 15:48. He also scored two goals, gathered nine assists, finished with a plus 17 rating, recorded 72 shots on goal, administered 55 hits, blocked 43 shots, committed 27 giveaways, but also registered 15 takeaways.

During the season, he was paired with three defensive partners: Kevin Klein (222:11 of ice time); Keith Yandle (147:56 of ice time) and Dan Boyle (140:20 of ice time).

He is a perfect number seven defenseman and proved it many times this season, when he filled due to injuries to Marc Staal, Ryan McDonagh, Dan Boyle and Kevin Klein.

 

Dylan McIlrath will receive a Qualifying offer from the NY Rangers

Former first round pick in 2010, defenseman Dylan McIlrath, will receive a qualifying offer from the NY Rangers, as his season improved greatly during the second half, as the Hartford Wolf Pack reached the ECF of the AHL Playoffs. Assistant Coach Jeff Beukeboom, a former Ranger defenseman himself, commented that although Dylan did not have a good first half of the season and was slightly off, he turned it around and played very well during the second half. During that second half, Dylan was part of the first pairing on Hartford, and according to Beukeboom, “played his best hockey as a pro and it looks like he is knocking on the door for an NHL job”. (As heard on the Rangers Blue Line Podcast)

Dylan is coming off of an entry level contract and would have to clear waivers to return to the AHL. (American Hockey League)

 

Halverson Invited to Team USA Evaluation Camp

NY Ranger prospect, goalie Brandon Halverson, has been invited to the 2015 US National Junior Evaluation Camp at Lake Placid, NY; which begins on August 1st. He will join 38 other hopeful American kids, as they will vie for a spot on the 2016 World Junior Team.

Brandon will be the oldest of four net minders invited to the camp, as he tries to regain a spot on the team that finished fifth at the Tournament this season. Brandon is a former second round selection of the Rangers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. The 19 year old Traverse City, Michigan native pitched a shutout in his only appearance at that Tournament held in Canada.

This past season, he went 40-5-2 with a 2.63 GAA and a .913 save % with six shutouts in his first year as the number 1 goaltender for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

He finished first in the League in wins, tied for first in shutouts and finished third in goals against.

Brandon will be a busy net minder, because before Team USA Camp opens, he will take part in the Rangers Prospect Tournament.

 

Captain Mac Honored

NY Ranger Captain Ryan McDonagh was honored this week at the Burke Rehabilitation Center’s Centennial Dinner for all of his off-ice charity work. Besides that, Mac was informed that he does not need surgery to repair the broken bone in his foot, which is healing very well. He will however be required to still use a walking boot for another few weeks, but will be 100% when training camp opens in September.

 

Zucc Plays in Norway for Charity

Mats Zuccarello has returned to his native Norway to play in a charity hockey game at DNB Arena in Stavenger, Norway. Zucc was also named as an ambassador for the 2016 Youth Olympics to be held in Lillehammer.

Accompanying Zucc to Norway to also play in the charity game were three of his Ranger teammates: Carl Hagelin, Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes.

 

Would or Should the NY Rangers attempt to sign Carl Soderberg of the Bruins

Swedish Center man Carl Soderberg of the Boston Bruins, will become a FA as of July 1st and the Bruins will not attempt to re-sign him. This leads to the question: should GM Glen Sather, Assistant GM Jeff Gorton and the Rangers try to acquire the 6 foot 3, 216 pound 29 year old to help bolster the center position on Broadway?

Last season Soderberg played in all 82 games for Boston and scored 13 goals and finished with 44 points. That went along with a faceoff percentage of 48.2, which was a little low for him, but still higher than that of Derick Brassard (44.1%) and Kevin Hayes (36.3%).

Soderberg was in the last year of a contract that paid him $1 million last season. I just wonder if they would have enough to get him in under the salary cap; because he would make a real fine 3rd line center for Kevin Hayes and probably Jesper Fast.

Let us see what may happen.

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