The New York Rangers have re-signed Derek Stepan to a six-year $39.5 million dollar deal, worth about $6.5 annually. The deal came in the 11th hour per say, as it was announced this morning and the two sides were scheduled for arbitration this afternoon. The deal makes Stepan the second-highest paid Ranger forward behind Rick Nash.
Derek Stepan was drafted in the second round by the Rangers in 2008 and has played with them since then. In his debut on October 9th, 2010, he became only the fourth player in NHL history to score a hat trick in his NHL debut. Last season he had 16 goals and 39 assists. He has been a consistent NHL player during his five years in the league. His best NHL season came when he played all 82 games and scored 17 goals and 40 assists, during the 2013-14 season.
In 2013, Derek Stepan got the famous Rangers bridge deal, which was a two-year deal worth $6.15 million. In September of 2014, he suffered a broken leg in training camp forcing him to miss a significant amount of time. He returned on November 8th against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Arguably the defining moment of Derek Stepan’s career, came on May 15th in overtime of Game 7 against the Washington Capitals in the second round when he beat Braden Holtby to send the Rangers to their second consecutive Eastern Conference Finals.
This is Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton's first big signing at the helm. According to Blueshirts United.com, Gorton said, “We're really happy to get Derek locked up for the next six years, it's a really good thing for the Rangers and for Ranger fans. This is a 25-year-old player, who has played well for us already, and who now will play his prime years for us moving forward."
Derek Stepan called the deal “life-changing”. He also said, "I came into the league and was given an opportunity to be part of an Original Six team, an organization that has treated me extremely well, and now I get to go into my next six years with them, it's a great feeling...this is where I want to be.” Stepan also said, "It's a great feeling. I can't be any more excited to be part of a team that I absolutely love. I love the city of New York. I'm grateful for the fans, grateful for the management there, and my wife and I are extremely happy to be there for the next six years."
The signing for the Rangers was key to keep the core intact for the long run, where they have been very successful. Stepan’s deal goes along with recent core signings such as Henrik Lundqvist, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi in recent years to keep the core together for the long haul.
