It’s been an... Interesting offseason for the New York Rangers and it may have gotten a bit more curious.
John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor reports the Rangers have signed forward Matthew Lombardi to a two-year deal. Patrick Kearns of VICE Sports reports the deal is worth $1.6 million total.
This signing comes a bit out of left field as Lombardi spent last season playing in the Swiss National League for Geneva-Servette. He played in 46 games and had 20 goals and 50 points to lead the Swiss League in scoring.
Last we saw of Lombardi in the NHL was during the 2012-13 season with the Phoenix Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks where he played in 28 games and had eight points, all with the Coyotes. He has also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, and Calgary Flames.
Lombardi, 32, is known for his speed and penalty killing ability, a pair of traits that could come in handy for the Rangers after losing Benoit Pouliot and Brian Boyle in free agency. If he can provide similar offense to what he showed in Switzerland, that’d be a welcome bonus.