Rangers qualify all RFAs except Adam Tambellini
The Rangers are parting ways with the big center
Yesterday NHL teams had until 5 p.m. ET to submit qualifying offers to their pending restricted free agents. There were a few noteworthy names who didn’t receive offers, but there were no big surprises tied to the Rangers. Jeff Gorton told members of the media on June 22 that the only restricted free agent that the Rangers elected not to give a qualifying offer was Wolf Pack forward Adam Tambellini.
"We’re excited about tomorrow and what’s going to happen.”#NYR General Manager Jeff Gorton is expecting a busy weekend at the #NHLDraft in Dallas. Hear what he had to say to the media 24 hours before it all begins. pic.twitter.com/kneRpnftgY
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 22, 2018
Tambellini, 23, was the Rangers’ third round pick of the 2013 Draft. The 2017-18 season was a make-or-break situation for the for the big center. Tambellini finished the year in Hartford with 32 points in 69 games after putting up 35 points in 68 games the year before. Those were not great numbers for a guy who scored 47 goals in 71 games for the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen in his last year in juniors.
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Gorton deciding to move on from Tambellini opens up a contract spot for the Rangers. It also opens up a roster spot in Hartford, which is relevant because of the number of Rangers center prospects who will need ice time in the AHL.
Remaining RFAs: Kevin Hayes, Ryan Spooner, Vlad Namestnikov, Brady Skjei, Jimmy Vesey, Boo Nieves, Chris Bigras, Steven Fogarty, John Gilmour, Rob O’Gara
Naturally, the Rangers submitted qualifying offers to players who are rumored to be on the trading block like Spooner and Namestnikov. Bigras, 23, is the only pending New York RFA who is not eligible for salary arbitration.
All contract information courtesy of capfriendly.com