Rangers add free agents Raphael Diaz, Viktor Stalberg
Raphael Diaz of the Rangers takes the shot during the first period against the New Jersey Devils while playing in his first game for the team at the Prudential Center on March 22, 2014. Credit: Getty
On the first day of the NHL free-agent market, the Rangers filled holes on their depth chart Wednesday, adding defenseman Raphael Diaz for his second stint as a Blueshirt and Swedish left wing Viktor Stalberg, whom the Predators had bought out.
Each received a one-year deal. Diaz, 29, who becomes a leading candidate for the role of seventh defenseman, will receive $700,000. Stalberg, also 29, signed for $1.1 million.
Diaz was 2-2-4 in 56 games for Calgary last season. He was 1-1-2 in 11 games for the Rangers in 2013-14. Stralberg was 2-8-10 in 25 games for Nashville and 1-3-4 in six playoff games. He was a Blackhawk for 21/2 seasons, scoring 43 goals and 90 points.
The Rangers signed free-agent forwards Matt Lindblad (Providence Bruins), Jayson Magna (Pittsburgh) and Brian Gibbons (Columbus), and 6-6 goalie Marcus Hellberg was acquired from the Predators for a sixth-round draft pick in 2017. They are ticketed for the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack.
The Rangers also announced that center Derick Brassard had surgery last week to repair a tendon in his hand. Recovery is estimated at 4-6 weeks, so he is expected to be ready for training camp.
