Rangers 2023 free agency and trade buzz: Defensemen Mac Hollowell, Erik Gustafsson agree to one-year deals

Here's a look at some of the latest Rangers reports and rumors as free agency gets underway...

July 2, 10:37 a.m.

New York announced Sunday morning that they've agreed to terms with defenseman Mac Hollowell on a one-year deal.

The 24-year-old played most of the 2022-2023 season with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, logging 13 assists in 18 games. He played in six games with the Toronto Maple Leafs after making his NHL debut on Nov. 23, 2022, and recorded two assists with a plus-3 rating. Hallowell was drafted by the Leafs in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

The Rangers also agreed to a one-year deal with defenseman Erik Gustafsson on Saturday night. The 31-year-old recorded seven goals and 35 assists (42 points) in 70 games and a plus-9 rating in 2022-23, split between the Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals.

Gustafsson was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and has gone on to record 39 goals and 152 assists (191 points) in 379 career NHL games with the Maple Leafs, Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Calgary Flames.

July 1, 3:55 p.m.

The Rangers agreed to terms with forward Nick Bonino on a one-year contract.

Bonino, 35, totaled 19 points on 10 goals and nine assists in 62 games while splitting the 2022-23 season with the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins in 2016 and '17, Rangers president and GM Chris Drury cited Bonino's veteran presence via a statement that highlighted the Jonathan Quick and Blake Wheeler signings among Day 1's flurry.

"Veteran leadership is a big thing on any team," Drury said. "Any time you can add a player like Blake or Quickie or Bonino -- those guys all have tons of experience, and lucky that we were able to get deals done and looking forward to seeing them all at MSG."

July 1, 1:28 p.m.

The Rangers agreed to terms with goaltender Jonathan Quick and a handful of others.

New York also announced agreements with forwards Tyler Pitlick, Blake Wheeler, Riley Nash and Alex Belzile, and defensemen Connor Mackey and Nikolas Brouillard.

Quick, Pitlick, Wheeler, Mackey and Brouillard are signing one-year contracts while Nash and Belzile join on two-year deals.

Quick, 37, headlines the group as a two-time All-Star and Vezina Trophy finalist. He joins the Rangers, his third NHL team, after stints with the Los Angeles Kings (2007-23) and Las Vegas Knights (2023). In 41 regular-season games this past season with the Kings and Knights, Quick went 16-15-6 and notched two shutouts as Vegas won the Stanley Cup. Quick is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, including twice with the Kings in 2012 and '14.

Wheeler, 36, logged 72 games with the Winnipeg Jets in 2022-23 and totaled 55 points on 16 goals and 39 assists. Seven of Wheeler's scores came on power plays, and six of his goals went for game-winners -- a career-high-tying mark. A 2018 All-Star, he has appeared in 1,118 game with the Boston Bruins (2008-11) and Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets (2011-23).

June 30, 4:15 p.m.

Goaltender Jonathan Quick is "highly likely" to sign with the Rangers once free agency begins on Saturday, according to ESPN's Kevin Weekes.

Quick, 37, was born in Milford, Conn., and grew up a Rangers fan. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Los Angeles Kings in 2011-12 and then as the Vegas Golden Knights backup this past season following a midseason trade.

Quick is a 16-year veteran, posting a career 2.47 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.