Rangers waiving Tyler Pitlick to give Adam Edstrom bigger chance

The Rangers made another move involving one of their veteran forwards Tuesday, placing winger Tyler Pitlick on waivers, according to multiple reports, one night after Adam Edstrom skated in his spot on the fourth line during their win against the Flames.

Pitlick, 32, was a healthy scratch against Calgary.

He signed a one-year deal worth $787,000 with the Rangers in the offseason, and he skated in 34 games with the Blueshirts while recording four points and logging the bulk of his minutes alongside Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow.

It’s not the first time the Rangers have waived one of their veteran forwards this season.

Before the All-Star break, the Rangers waived Nick Bonino, who decided he didnt want to report to AHL Hartford and was ultimately released after clearing unconditional waivers.

He must sign with another team before March 8 in order to be eligible for the playoffs.

The Rangers put veteran Tyler Pitlick on waivers. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConWaiving Pitlick should open up more ice time for Edstrom, a 6-foot-8 winger who logged his second NHL game Monday.

He scored in his NHL debut Dec. 15 against the Ducks. Across 25 games with the Wolf Pack this season, Edstrom has scored eight goals and added two assists.

In the Rangers 2-0 win against the Flames, he logged 9:23 of ice time with a line that has turned into the teams go-to checking line against opponents especially in recent victories during their five-game winning streak against the Lightning and Avalanche.

I thought Edstrom was good, head coach Peter Laviolette said postgame. Hes a big guy that just skates so wll. His stick is big, and even in practice (Monday) you could see him moving up and down the ice. He skates with ease.

I like his physicality. I like his awareness. He was a player that played good defense in Hartford. He killed penalties. Eventually, well start to work him into different scenarios, but there wasnt anything in the game that made me feel like he couldnt play in the last five, six minutes of the game.

When Edstrom was called up Sunday, the Rangers also brought along 6-foot-8 winger Matt Rempe, who practiced with the team, skated his rookie lap and was a healthy scratch.

Adam Edstrom suited up for the Rangers against the Flames on Feb. 12, 2024. NHLI via Getty ImagesThe Blueshirts assigned him to Hartford on Tuesday, and waiving Pitlick leaves 12 forwards on their roster.

But it appears that, for now at least, Edstrom has played his way into a role with the Rangers.