Rangers Re-Sign Forwards Dale Weise and Chad Kolarik

Original Image Credit: NewYorkRangers.com

The Rangers just announced that they've re-signed Dale Weise to a contract extension, although terms were not released. They also apparently re-signed RW Chad Kolarik a little over a week ago, which I didn't see until just now.

Weise is an interesting guy. He was a fourth round draft pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Level Draft who opened some eyes his first year at training camp. He's a big body who's not afraid to rough it up and drop the gloves with some real offensive upside, although he struggled in limited time with the Rangers last year. He took some real bonehead penalties at inopportune times, which led to John Tortorella cutting his already limited ice time. Weise recorded 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points with 73 penalty minutes in 47 games with the Connecticut Whale last season, and had no points and 19 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Rangers. He may have a real shot at making the team out of camp next season. With the tragic death of Derek Boogaard, the Rangers will need some size and toughness to play against teams like the Flyers, Bruins and Penguins. At the very least, I expect we'll see Weise up and down with the big club during several points over the course of next season.

Chad Kolarik was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets during last season in exchange for Dane Byers. Kolarik had a total of 21 goals and 20 assists for 41 points in 49 games split between the Rangers and Blue Jackets' AHL affiliates. Kolarik also spent some time with the Rangers, where he put up 1 assist and 2 penalty minutes seeing some time on the third and fourth lines. Now 25 years old, Kolarik isn't really considered a prospect at this point and strictly provides some organizational depth for the Rangers.