Rangers Sign UFA Defenseman Dennis Cholowski

Chris Drury and the New York Rangers continue to handle business on day two of free agency as they've added defenseman Dennis Cholowski.

According to PuckPedia, Cholowski signs to a two-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $875,000.

A former first round draft pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2016 Entry Draft (20th overall), Cholowski is a 6-2, 210 pound, left-shot defenseman who skates well, can move the puck, and chip in a bit offensively. Now 28-years-old, Cholowski has bounced around a ton since the Seattle Kraken took him from the Detroit Red Wings in their expansion draft. He had a brief stint in Washington and has since spent time with both of the Metropolitan Division teams in the tri-state area, first with the New York Islanders and, most recently, the New Jersey Devils.

A fun fact as noted by our own Phil Kocher, Cholowski was actually drafted with the pick the Rangers gave away as part of the Keith Yandle trade.

This past season, Cholowski spent lots of time in the press box and acting as a call-up between the AHL and NHL. While he did make the Devils roster out of camp, Cholowski only appeared in 17 games throughout the regular season, collecting two assists along the way. In 13 games with the Utica Comets in the AHL, he registered five assists. His last goal came during his time with the Islanders in the front half of the 2024-25 season.

Under new head coach Jay Leach, the Hartford Wolf Pack are poised to have a much better team this season, but also a much younger one. Cholowski brings some experience to their blue line and can be a call-up option for the Rangers as needed. While the Rangers have plenty of young guys to do that, it's important to note this is another player that falls into the puck moving, mobile defenseman criteria that Drury named a priority for this offseason.

Welcome to New York, Cholowski!