Rangers agree to terms with Chris Summers

The New York Rangers resigned defenseman Chris Summers on
Wednesday. (Getty Images)

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Chris Summers on a new contract.

Summers, 28, skated in 74 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) this past season, registering three goals and eight assists for 11 points, along with a plus-two rating and 51 penalty minutes. He tied for third on the team – and tied for second among Wolf Pack defensemen – in games played in 2015-16. Summers tied single-game AHL career-highs by registering two assists and two points on Nov. 15 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and on Mar. 12 vs. Lehigh Valley. In addition, he recorded a goal and posted a plus-three rating in two of the final five games of the season – Apr. 9 vs. Springfield and Apr. 15 at St. John’s.

The 6-2, 209-pounder skated in three games with the Rangers during the 2015-16 season, registering five shots on goal and four penalty minutes. Summers was credited with two hits and recorded two shots on goal in 15:35 of ice time while making his season debut with the Blueshirts on Dec. 18 at Winnipeg.

Summers has skated in 70 career NHL games over parts of six seasons with the Rangers and Coyotes, registering two goals and seven assists for nine points, along with 51 penalty minutes. He has skated in six games with the Blueshirts over the last two seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16). In addition, Summers has appeared in 312 career AHL games, recording nine goals and 38 assists for 47 points, along with 265 penalty minutes. In 87 games with the Wolf Pack over parts of two seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16), Summers has registered three goals and nine assists for 12 points, along with a plus-five rating.

The Ann Arbor, Michigan, native was acquired by the Rangers from the Coyotes, along with Keith Yandle and a fourth round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for John Moore, Anthony Duclair, a second round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, and a first round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft on March 1, 2015.

Team Release.

Rangers Assign Magnus Hellberg and Chris Summers to Hartford (AHL)

"The Neutral Zone" Roster Report

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced Wednesday that the team has assigned goaltender Magnus Hellberg and defenseman Chris Summers to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Hellberg, 24, appeared in one game with the Rangers after being recalled on December 18, making his debut with the team on December 20 vs. Washington. Prior to being recalled by the Rangers, Hellberg appeared in 18 games with the Wolf Pack this season, posting an 8-8-2 record, along with a 2.62 GAA, a .908 SV%, and 1 SO.

Summers, 27, skated in three games with the Rangers after being recalled on December 18. He registered five shots on goal, four hits, and one blocked shot in those contests. Prior to being recalled, Summers skated in 27 games with the Wolf Pack this season, tallying three assists and registering 23 penalty minutes.

Rangers recall goalie Hellberg, defenseman Summers, send down defenseman Skjei

"The Neutral Zone" Roster Report

Septemeber 22, 2015: Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Rangers
goalie Magnus Hellberg (45) in a game against the Philadelphia
Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 5-3.

(PHOTO: Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports)

The New York Rangers recalled goaltender Magnus Hellberg and defenseman Chris Summers from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Friday.

Goaltender Antti Raanta was injured in the first period of a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Thursday when a slap shot by Wild defenseman Marco Scandella hit him in the mask above the cage. Henrik Lundqvist finished the game and will start Friday against the Winnipeg Jets.

Summers has three assists in 27 AHL games this season. The 27-year-old has two goals and nine points in 67 NHL games with the Arizona Coyotes and Rangers.

Defenseman Brady Skjei was reassigned to Hartford after going scoreless in two games for the Rangers.

Last night against the Wild, Skjei played 15:17, saw 2:06 on the PK and had 1 shot on goal, 2 hits, 2 blocked shots and a holding penalty.

Alain Vigneault said of Skjei last night, "he is a young player ,we can all see the upside but this is the NHL and he will get better with every game that he gets."

Hellberg was called up due to the injury to Antti Raanta last night against the Minnesota Wild.

This season in the AHL, Summers has 3 assists in 27 games, a minus 6 rating, 23 PIM and 19 shots on goal.

Hellberg is 8-8-2 with a 2.62 GAA and .908 save percentage.