NHL Free Agency 2020: Kevin Rooney Signs Two-Year Deal with Rangers
The New York Rangers have made their first signing of the afternoon as they added Kevin Rooney on a two-year, $1.5 million deal. The signing will pay Rooney just a touch above the league minimum in each of the two years.
Kevin Rooney signs with Rangers, two year deal, pays $700k and $800k
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 9, 2020
Rooney, 27, has been within the New Jersey Devils organization for the last four years and appeared in 49 games during the 2019-20 season. Given the Rangers current roster makeup, the expectation is that Rooney will likely fill a similar role that Greg McKegg previously occupied. He’ll give the Rangers some options within the bottom-six and can fill in here and there in the event of an injury.
In terms of his play, Rooney is looked at as a decent option on the defensive side of the puck. He won’t drive any offense, but is serviceable for a team searching for some help in their own end of the rink.
It’s also worth noting that Rooney’s two-year deal gives the Rangers the option of exposing him in the upcoming Seattle expansion draft.
