Rangers Agree to Terms with Erik Gustafsson

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Erik Gustafsson on a one-year contract.

Gustafsson, 31, notched seven goals and 35 assists for 42 points in 70 games and a plus-9 rating in 2022-23, split between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals. His goals, assists, points and plus/minus rating ranked second in a single-season over the span of his eight-year career. Gustafsson also skated in two playoff games for the Maple Leafs this past spring, scoring a goal.

The Nynashamn, Sweden native has posted 39 goals and 152 assists for 191 points in 379 career NHL games with the Maple Leafs, Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Calgary Flames. Despite being the 30th defensemen taken in the 2012 NHL Draft, the 6-0, 190 pounder ranks ninth in the defensemen class in assists and 10th in points. Gustafsson produced a career-high 60 points (17G-43A) in 79 games with the Blackhawks in 2018-19, which ranked sixth among NHL defensemen. In addition, Gustafsson's 17 goals were tied for the third most among defensemen that season.

Gustafsson has represented Sweden at the World Championships on four occasions, including the 2018 World Championship when the country earned a gold medal.

Gustafsson was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round, 93rd overall of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.