The New York Rangers announced the resigning of forward Julien Gauthier on a one year contract extension.
The deal is reportedly expected to be worth $800,000 and keeps the 24-year old in New York.
Gauthier skated in 49 games for the Rangers in 2021-22, registering three goals and four assists for seven points. The forward set career-highs in both goals and games played.
Gauthier was originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round, 21st overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to New York during the 2019-20 season.
During the 2020-21 season, Gauthier ranked tied for 18th in the NHL (min. 20 games played) in primary assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 (1.12).
Gauthier was a healthy scratch for the duration of the team’s playoff run this past year that saw the Rangers make it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final before bowing out to Tampa Bay in six games.
Rangers and Gauthier’s future
The latest extension also draws more complexity to Gauthier’s future. The restricted free agent had requested a trade back on July 1st along with goaltender Alex Georgiev.
The Rangers had until July 11th to make a decision to offer a qualifying offer to Gauthier but still have other decisions surrounding both Georgiev and former second overall pick Kaapo Kakko.
No announcement has been made in regard to Gauthier’s trade request at this time. Rangers general manager Chris Drury has many other decisions to make surrounding the future of several key skaters.
With the core of the team locked up and the team expected to have their first pick of the NHL draft in the second round on Thursday, Gauthier is just the latest skater to be brought back to New York.
He won’t be the last.
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