New York Rangers Sign Chad Ruhwedel to One-Year Deal

The New York Rangers have signed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a one-year, two-way contract. At the NHL level, he will carry a $775,000 cap hit.

Ruhwedel, 34, ended the 2023-24 season as a member of the Rangers. In five regular-season games for the Original Six club, he had zero points and a minus-2 rating. Now, with this move, he will remain with the Rangers and be a veteran depth defenseman for them to use when injuries inevitably arise.

Ruhwedel appeared in 52 games this past season split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Rangers, where he had one goal, three assists, and a minus-6 rating. While with the Penguins over the last few seasons, he displayed that he can be serviceable when used at the bottom pairing because of his defense-first style of play and physicality.

The Rangers' right side is all set, so Ruhwedel will likely serve as their seventh defenseman for the 2024-25 season. When noting that he is making the league minimum while at the NHL level, there is no risk in this move.

In 364 career games over 12 NHL seasons split between the Buffalo Sabres, Penguins, and Rangers, Ruhwedel has 13 goals, 49 points, and a minus-9 rating.