According to Larry Brooks, the New York Rangers will sign Patrik Nemeth, an unrestricted free agent defenceman, to a three-year contract worth approximately $7.5 million, or $2.5 million per season. This contract carries him through the 2023-24 season.
Rangers expected to sign Patrik Nemeth in NHL free agency, Post has learned. https://t.co/ggjgUrF6K2 via @nypostsports
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) July 26, 2021
UFA Patrik Nemeth to Sign with New York Rangers
Over his eight-year NHL career, Nemeth played for the Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Colorado Avalanche. Originally drafted in the second round, 41st overall of the 2010 NHL draft by Dallas, the 29-year old collected eight goals and 50 assists in 366 career games thus far. All but five of his 58 career points came at even strength (and only one on the powerplay). He averages 18:03 in ice time per game, an amount that dropped to 16:51 last season in 13 games with the Avs.
At the 2020-21 trade deadline, the Avalanche acquired Nemeth from Detroit to shore up their blueline depth. In return, Detroit received a 2022 fourth-round draft pick. Nemeth played two seasons in Colorado previously, so had familiarity with the team upon last year’s trade. However, the experiment didn’t work out quite as well as general manager Joe Sakic hoped. Nemeth experienced career-worst possession metrics, with a Corsi-for percentage of 48.2 percent and -15.1 percent relative. That being said, most of his usage came on the penalty kill, and defensive zone starts made up 65.8 percent of his total zone starts.
What This Means for the Future
The Rangers signed Patrik Nemeth to bolster their depth at defence. The price tag is affordable, but there are real questions around Nemeth’s game especially after the end of last season. After posting awful possession metrics in 11 regular-season games, he hit an even-lower low with a -18.5 percent relative Corsi in ten postseason contests. His ice time dropped to just 15:46 per game, and he converted no takeaways but blundered six giveaways. That included one particularly egregious giveaway that resulted in a goal against and tied game four of their second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Avs went on to lose that game 5-1. Then they lost the next two and dropped the series four games to two.
Ultimately, the Rangers plan to lean on Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox, and K’Andre Miller defensively moving forward. Ryan Lindgren will factor in as well, leaving Nemeth with mostly third-pair matchups. That is similar to the role he had in Colorado, where he still managed to frustrate fans, especially in big moments. The defenceman doesn’t bring offensive-mindedness in his game but definitely is an experienced, adept penalty killer. Rangers fans can expect to see him play 15-18 minutes a night when in the lineup.
Main Photo: DETROIT, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 15: Patrik Nemeth #22 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at Little Caesars Arena on February 15, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
