Amidst the quiet of post-free agency frenzy, the New York Rangers got a bit of business done. On Friday, New York president and general manager Chris Drury announced that the Rangers have signed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a one-year contract. 

The contract will be two-way at the League minimum of $775,000 for the 2024-25 season.

While he will be in a constant battle for a roster spot, Ruhwedel should provide stable, right-handed defensive defenseman depth for the Rangers.

Ruhwedel spent the 2023-24 season split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Rangers. In 52 games, the 34-year-old tallied four points (one goal, three assists), 90 hits, 44 blocked shots and finished with a minus-6 rating.

After 47 games with the Penguins, Ruhwedel was acquired by the Rangers in a deadline-deal trade on March 8, 2024. He played in five regular-season games, averaging 14:08 of ice time. He did not dress during their deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs but provided veteran support, as the Rangers made it to the Eastern Conference Final. 

Ruhwedel found a home with Pittsburgh after four seasons in Buffalo. He recorded 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) across eight seasons with the Penguins. His biggest moment came when he won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2017, finishing with no points in 12 playoff games. He has a minus-3 rating in 25 career playoff games.

The veteran has racked up 364 NHL games over 12 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Penguins and Rangers. He has 49 points (13 goals, 36 assists) over that span. 

Ruhwedel was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Buffalo in 2013. He turned pro after three seasons of college hockey at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. The San Diego, California native played a career-high 41 games and served as an alternate captain in his final season.