Rangers Agree to Terms with Jarret Stoll

(Photo: NHLPA)

The New York Rangers have signed free agent forward Jarret Stoll to a one-year, $800,000 contract (via Sportsnet).

Stoll, 33, has spent the past seven seasons with the LA Kings and is a three-time Stanley Cup finalist (2006, 2012, 2014) and two-time Stanley Cup champion (2012, 2014).  He was a second-round draft pick for the Edmonton Oilers in 2002 and spent six seasons between the Oilers and their affiliates before being traded to LA in 2008.  He tallied 6 goals and 11 assists in 73 games for the Kings last season.

The 6’1, 215-lb Saskatchewan native is strong in the faceoff circle and boasts a career 55.3% winning percentage.  He won 592 of 1161 faceoffs in the 2014-15 season (51.0%).  As faceoffs have been an Achilles’ heel for the Rangers, Stoll could be a valuable asset as a third- or fourth-line center.

“As far as the faceoff circle goes, I take a lot of pride in that, and I want to be out there in all situations,” Stoll told the media this morning.  “It’s just one thing I’ve been working on over the course of my career, and I’ve gotten better and better.  Nowadays faceoffs have gotten pretty important in the league with all the rule changes.”

Rangers GM Jeff Gorton added, “He’s a guy that can play all three forward positions, he can PK, can win faceoffs, can move up and down the lineup…We believe as an organization it’s important to have people who have won…This is a player who has done it a few times.”

Stoll was arrested and charged for felony cocaine possession in Las Vegas in April.  He then pled guilty to two reduced misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to 32 hours of community service in Las Vegas. Because of his plea deal, Stoll did not serve any jail time.  He will return to court at the end of the month and will be ready for training camp.