The New York Rangers have announced they’ve agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Kings forward Jarret Stoll. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston is reporting the deal is a one-year pact worth $800,000.
It’s been an eventful summer for Stoll. Back in April he was arrested in Las Vegas for possession of cocaine and molly after he tried to smuggle an 8-ball with the drugs in it into a party by hiding them in his board shorts. The news blew up in the United States since Stoll was dating ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews, who’s one of the biggest faces in sports media.
While Stoll isn’t the scorer he once was when he put up three straight 40+ point seasons between 2008-2011, he’s still a valuable center who can play tough minutes in a bottom-six role. Last year the 33 year old put up 17 points in 73 games in a down season where the Kings missed the playoffs.
As The Post’s Larry Brooks notes, giving Stoll an opportunity to make the team means Tanner Glass, widely considered the worst NHL player currently in the league, may be bumped from the Rangers roster – which would certainly be addition by subtraction.
General manager Jeff Gorton assumes very little risk by signing Stoll. Worst case scenario, he’s not quite ready to play in the NHL again and the club eats the 800K cap hit. Best case scenario they’ve found themselves a solid bottom-six forward at a bargain of a contract. That’s smart managing.
