NYR FA Frenzy: Day 1

Brandon Prust: Prust officially left the Rangers today to sign a 4 year, 10 million dollar contract with the Montreal Canadiens. Obviously the Rangers were no where close to offer Prust the money he received today from Montreal. He told the NY Daily News today that the Rangers "weren't really there or anywhere close to where Montreal was, and it's just Montreal showed just a lot more interest." I guess Prust's tweet last week that irked many Ranger fans, also burned the bridges with Ranger brass.

I wish management wanted me back as much as the fans.. Thanks for the love everyone
— Brandon Prust (@BrandonPrust8) June 23, 2012

John Mitchell: Mitchell also left the Rangers today to sign a 2 year, 2.2 million dollar contract with the Colorado Avalanche. Mitchell will be making nearly double of what his salary was last season in New York. I thought at best Mitchell could have been back with the organization most likely with the Whale, but it seems the Avs see something in Mitchell that the Rangers don't.

Jonathan Audy-Marchessault- This one really stings especially if you are one that is somewhat familiar with the Ranger prospects. JAM signed a 3 year, entry level contract today with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 21 year old Audy-Marchessault was undrafted and went 24-40-64 in 76 games last season with the Whale. It's safe to say that many within the organization wanted this kid back, however, the Blue Jackets offered more money in his ELC and that's what he went with.

Stu Bickel- In the only bit of good news today was that the Rangers re-signed the oft-unused defenseman to a 2 year, 1.5 million dollar contract. Bickel is a nice option for the Rangers to use as depth but will likely be riding the pine in most situations.

Arron Asham- I'm guessing once Sather learned he was definitely out on Prust, he signed journeyman Arron Asham to a 2 year, 2 million dollar contract. Asham, who played for the Penguins last season, as we all remember cross checked Flyers' Brayden Schenn in the throat that resulted in a 4 game suspension during the playoffs. Asham still has to sit for one more game to serve out that suspension. The signing, which stunned just about everybody, got many Ranger fans in an uproar. Personally, I didn't like the signing either at first, especially because I think he is a dirty player. But in an interview with the Daily News, he stated that his goal is to win a Cup. If Asham is able to keep the dirtiness at a minimum and play the right way, I think Ranger fans will warm to him.

Michael Haley- In what is hopefully a minor league move, the Rangers signed Michael Haley to a two-way contract. Other terms are unknown. Haley, a former Islander, racked up 125 penalty minutes in 51 games last season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Islanders' AHL affiliate. If anything he'll be an injury/suspension callup if Rupp or Asham get into trouble next season.

Kris Newbury- In another minor league transaction, Newbury re-signed with the Rangers on a two year, two way contract and will spend next year with the Connecticut Whale. Newbury was 25-39-64 with the Whale last season.

Chad Johnson- The Rangers lost minor league goaltender Chad Johnson to the Phoenix Coyotes today. The Yotes continue to pick off Ranger prospects, thanks to former Rangers Assistant GM and now Coyotes GM Don Maloney. Losing Chad Johnson makes the Rangers goaltending depth pretty slim. It wouldn't surprise me if Sather went looking for a minor league goaltender in the coming days and weeks.

Rick Nash- Again no news on the Nash front. Sources continue to say that the window for him to be traded likely begins when Zach Parise is signed somewhere on the open market. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson has not budged from his demands that the Rangers include a mixture of Stepan, Kreider, McDonagh, Dubinsky and Del Zotto as well as a pick and prospect somewhere in there too.