The New York Rangers are reportedly sending veteran forward Matt Beleskey to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, per Larry Brooks of the New York Post. This decision comes as a bit of a shock due to the fact that training camp has yet to begin for the upcoming season. New York's talented prospect pool is a big reason for Beleskey's demotion.
As a result of this move, the Rangers will now only be charged $825,000 against the salary cap instead of $1.9 million that the Blue Shirts would have been charged if Beleskey remained in the NHL.
Drafted 112th overall in the NHL entry draft, Beleskey has appeared in 477 games with the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers where he's recorded 76 goals and 158 points. His best season came after signing with the Bruins as a free agent in 2015, seeing him put up 37 points in 80 games.
Beleskey was part of a trade that sent Rick Nash to the Boston Bruins and in return the Rangers got Matt Beleskey and Ryan Spooner. In two seasons playing for New York, the 31 year old wasn't able to pick up where he left off in Boston. Last season, Beleskey only appeared in 4 games before being sent to down to Hartford where he racked up 5 goals and 22 points in 53 games.
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