The Rangers have resigned Greg Moore who was a restricted free agent. As it is always with NY no terms were released. Moore is one of the key components of the franchise’s future. However, this does nothing but complicate an already huge question mark about the team is going to do with the glut of third and fourth line players in the organization and where they are going to play. Unless Moore has a magnificent camp, he will most likely begin the season in Hartford as the first line center.
Here’s the official release:
RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH GREG MOORE
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Greg Moore.
Moore, 24, skated in 72 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) this past season, registering 26 goals and 40 assists for 66 points, along with 31 penalty minutes and a plus-27 rating. He finished second on the club in goals (26) and points (66), and third in assists (40) and plus/minus rating (plus-27). His 66 points also tied for 18th among all AHL skaters, and his plus-27 rating ranked sixth in the league. The PlanetUSA AHL All-Star posted 17 multiple-point games, including two four-point efforts, and recorded a season-high, seven-game scoring streak from March 19 to March 30 (five goals and seven assists). On December 8 at Worcester, Moore notched his first professional hat trick. In the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs, Moore tied for the team lead in plus-minus rating (plus-three), tied for second in assists (two), and tied for fourth in goals (one) and points (three) while appearing in five games for Hartford. In addition, he appeared in six games with the Rangers this past season, making his NHL debut on November 21 vs. Tampa Bay.
The 6-1, 210-pounder has skated in 153 career AHL games in three seasons with Hartford, registering 35 goals and 58 assists for 93 points, along with 74 penalty minutes and a plus-28 rating. In 2006-07, Moore appeared in 79 games in his first full season with the Wolf Pack, finishing sixth among team rookies in assists (17) and points (25). He assisted on the game-winning goal in his professional debut on April 14, 2006, at Providence, and notched his first career goal, a shorthanded game-winner, on April 15, 2006, vs. Bridgeport. In addition, he has appeared in 25 career AHL playoff games, recording three goals and eight assists for 11 points, along with 12 penalty minutes and a plus-three rating.
The Lisbon, Maine native was originally selected as Calgary’s fifth round draft choice, 143rd overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. On March 6, 2004, he was acquired by the Rangers, along with Jamie, McClennan and Blair Betts, in exchange for Chris Simon and a seventh round choice in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft (Matt Schneider).
According to TSN, one time Ranger/Wolf Pack forward Jeff Taffe has resigned with the Pittsburgh Crosbys Penquins.
(Greg Moore photo courtesy of Hartfordwolfpack.com)
Greg Moore had a great season as a two-way forward for the Wolfpack last year. At 24, however, this is probably a make or break season for him. If he doesn’t crack the Ranger lineup at some point during the season, I’m afraid he’ll look for a shot elsewhere next year & likely be a career minor leaguer.