NYR Place Bonino on Unconditional Waivers (Contract Termination) 

Prior to the Rangers long week off leading up to the All-Star weekend, the announcement was made that they had placed veteran center Nick Bonino on waivers. The next day, it was reported that he had cleared waivers, but given the fact that he was a veteran and already had plans for the week off, the Rangers allowed him to wait until after the All-Star weekend to report to the team’s AHL affiliate in Hartford. Now as of this afternoon, Elliotte Friedman has reported that the Rangers have placed Nick Bonino on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

In 45 games with the Rangers this season, Bonino put up a total of five points in one goal and four assists. He played an important role on the fourth line through the early parts of the season and certainly helped this Rangers team improve at face-offs. However as the season went on and the Rangers were forced to play him in a third line role, he began to struggle and quickly became a bit of a non factor. The decision to terminate his contract has to do with the 39 year-old not wanting to go back to the AHL which is understandable after 868 career games and a pair of Stanley Cups.

By terminating his contract, this allows for him to potentially sign elsewhere but given the fact that he was already on a close to league minimum contract and cleared waivers the first time around, it doesn’t look as though many teams in the NHL at least will have any pressing desires to add him in the final stretch of the regular season. Whether or not this is the end for Bonino’s playing career or just his NHL one, there’s no question he’s been a respected player and has had quite the story throughout his decade and a half long career where he helped Pittsburgh win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017 as part of that infamous HBK line. (Hagelin – Bonino – Kessel).