With the expansion draft protected list due tomorrow, the New York Rangers have come to terms with winger Julien Gauthier. The deal is for one year, terms not yet disclosed.
Per the team’s press release:
Gauthier, 23, skated in 30 games with the Rangers this past season, registering two goals and six assists for eight points, along with 14 penalty minutes. He tallied his first career NHL goal on February 10, 2021 vs. Boston.
The 6-4, 227-pounder has skated in 47 career NHL games over parts of two seasons (2019-20 and 2020-21) with Carolina and the Rangers, registering two goals and nine assists for 11 points, along with 22 penalty minutes. Gauthier made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes on October 11, 2019 vs. NY Islanders, and he notched his first career NHL assist/point on December 14, 2019 at Calgary. Gauthier also skated in three games with the Blueshirts during the 2020 postseason.
Julien Gauthier showed promise this past season
Gauthier was a first-round draft pick (21st overall) of the Hurricanes in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He was unable to crack the ‘Canes lineup in each of the three years he was with the organization. That was due to the Canes amazing depth on the wings.
Last season Gauthier played 30 games for the Rangers, and when he was effective used his size and speed to his advantage. Unfortunately, he had a penchant for taking bad penalties. It is very likely he will be exposed to the Kraken for the expansion draft.
Ron Francis was the man who drafted Gauthier for Carolina and may take him over Brett Howden.
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