Rangers Sign Adam Erne to PTO

There's a chill in the air most mornings, football is back and PTO's are flying like hotcakes. Hockey season is so (close to being) back. With training camp right around the corner, many teams are finalizing their business by sending out last minute camp invites to players still looking to earn a job for the season. The Rangers have seemingly joined in on the fun as its being reported that New Haven County Native Adam Erne will be joining the team on a professional tryout.

A former second round pick in 2013 (33rd overall), Adam Erne spent close to half of a decade with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization before joining the Detroit Red Wings for four seasons. Throughout which, Erne established himself as a hard-nosed, power forward-grinder hybrid type of forward that can play an effective bottom six role. Between 2018-2023, Erne averaged just under 20 points a season with the exception of one five point campaign in the shortened COVID season. Since leaving the Red Wings organization, he's struggled to maintain a full-time NHL gig as he bounced around between Edmonton and Bakersfield last season. In 24 games with the Oilers, he registered one goal and an assist.

The Rangers already have a good mix of forwards looking to compete for an opening night roster spot so it would take a real impressive camp for Erne to stick around. However, he would be a great depth call-up option even if he signs a two-way deal and reports to Hartford. He's a left-handed shot that can play either wing in all kinds of situations. It will be real interesting to see what he does in different roles throughout preseason and will certainly bring an additional level of competition to the Rangers camp.