Rangers dumping veteran Nick Bonino as team slumps

The slumping Rangers made a move Thursday to shake up their veteran forward corps, placing fourth-line center Nick Bonino on waivers.

The 35-year-old Bonino, whose 868 career NHL games included a three-year stint playing for current Rangers coach Peter Laviolette with the Predators, was signed to a one-year deal worth $800,000 as a free agent in July.

But he has registered only one goal and five points in 45 games this season.

Laviolette said Bonino met with Rangers president Chris Drury on Thursday morning, and he was held out of practice ahead of Fridays home game against the Golden Knights.

That was the decision that was made, Laviolette said. Nicks a great person and a great teammate. Again, just an organizational decision.

Bonino has not played in the minor leagues since 2011-12, but he conceivably could be sent to AHL Hartford if he goes unclaimed via waivers.

The Rangers released Nick Bonino NHLI via Getty ImagesI dont know what Nicks intentions are. So it would be wrong for me to comment on that, Laviolette said. But like I said, Ive worked with Nick for quite a few years, going back to Nashville, and I cant speak enough about him as a person, just a good guy, a good teammate.

Forward Jake Leschyshyn was called up from Hartford on Wednesday and will take Boninos spot on the roster.

Laviolette had Blake Wheeler back on the top line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad during Thursdays practice. Jonny Brodzinski centered the third unit between Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko, with a fourth-line combo of Jimmy Vesey, Barclay Goodrow and Tyler Pitlick, who was a healthy scratch in the Rangers most recent game.

Laviolette also switched up two of his defense pairs: Erik Gustaffson worked with Adam Fox, and Ryan Lindgren skated with Braden Schneider.

Laviolette, who began his NHL coaching career with the Islanders in 2001, remains one win behind Isles legend Al Arbour for seventh place on the all-time wins list with 781.