Rangers Sign UFA Forward Oliver Bjorkstrand to One-Year, $4.5M Contract
The Rangers add to their top six by signing UFA forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.
After a quiet start on the free agent front, the New York Rangers make a bigger signing, adding Oliver Bjorkstrand to their forward group on a one-year deal with an AAV of $4.5 million.
Oliver Bjorkstrand to NYR
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2026
Considering the options available on the open market, this is good business for Chris Drury and the New York Rangers. A former third-round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013 (89th overall), Bjorkstrand is a 6-0, 175 right winger who shoots right and is typically good for being a consistent offensive contributor.
Across a total of 704 career games in the NHL, Bjorkstrand has collected a total of 184 goals, 232 assists, and 416 points. In a total of 49 playoff games, Bjorkstrand has scored ten goals and assists for 20 points. It's also worth noting that Bjorkstrand won a WHL Championship with the Portland Winterhawks, as well as a Calder Cup with the Lake Erie Monsters, meaning he has won at every level save for the NHL.
Typically, Bjorkstrand is good for anywhere between 30-50 points a season. His career high came with the Seattle Kraken in the 2023-24 season as he finished the regular season with 20 goals and 39 assists for 59 total points. Just two seasons prior, he had 57 points in his final year with Columbus.
More recently, Bjorkstrand spent two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning. After being dealt there at the trade deadline in 20225, he contributed nine points in 18 games. This past season, he had 12 goals and 20 assists for 32 points in 80 games played. He was held scoreless in four playoff games.
Chris Feldman
At 31-years-old, there's definitely some risk that Bjorkstrand's best days are behind him. But, as mentioned, this is probably as good of business you could ask of the Rangers on the open market. A player like Bjorkstrand at $4.5 million on a one-year deal is solid. He's a steady two-way player who can drive play, score goals, and handle the puck incredibly well. And that's not to mention that the Rangers don't have any right-shot wingers save for Taylor Raddysh and Jaroslav Chmelar.
Good deal for #NYR. Bjorkstrand is a nice middle 6 option that can play up and down lineup. Good defensively & has shown he can score too. Perfect that is a 1 year until some of kids come up from Hartford. https://t.co/oBd6mYKYWu pic.twitter.com/roAksHPnae
— PJ Sisbarro (@RealPJS) July 1, 2026
Welcome to New York, Bjorkstrand!
