Rangers bolster minor-league depth by signing Cholowski, Gawdin

With Wednesday’s flurry of NHL moves down them, the New York Rangers added immoderate assistance for their the American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, connected Thursday by signing defenseman Dennis Cholowski and guardant Glenn Gawdin,

Each signed a two-year declaration worthy $1.75 cardinal ($875,000 mean yearly value). According to PuckPedia, Cholowski is guaranteed $450,000 astatine the AHL level successful 2026-27, and $900,000 successful 2027-28; Gawdin is guaranteed $700,000 this play and $750,000 successful the 2nd twelvemonth of the deal.

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Cholowski had 2 assists portion averaging 14:40 clip connected crystal successful 17 games with the New Jersey Devils past season. The 2016 first-round prime (No. 20) by the Detroit Red Wings has 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) and is minus-60 successful 173 NHL games. The 28-year-old played conscionable 23 games for the Devils aft they acquired him from the New York Islanders connected March 7, 2025.

Gawdin has played conscionable 13 NHL games since the St. Louis Blues selected him successful the 4th circular (No. 116) of the 2015 NHL Draft. The 29-year-old has 1 assistance and has not dressed for an NHL crippled since March 6, 2024, erstwhile helium played with the Anaheim Ducks.

At a minimum, they’ll beryllium counted connected to boost Hartford, which finished past successful the 30-team AHL standings successful 2025-26 with 60 points (26-38-5-3).

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Cholowski: A fringe NHL defenseman who tin play successful a pinch

Of the two, Cholowski would look to person a amended accidental astatine spending clip successful the NHL. The 28-year-old could vie for the seventh defenseman spot with the Rangers, particularly if they determine to commencement No. 5 wide prime Alberts Šmits successful Hartford.

But Cholowski appears much apt to walk the bulk of the play with the Wolf Pack, barring important injuries. He’ll beryllium counted connected to supply seasoned enactment and mentor young blueliners portion besides producing offensively. Cholowski had 93 points (12 goals, 81 assists) successful 185 AHL games successful the past 5 seasons.

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At 6-2 and 210, helium has NHL size and is simply a passable third-pair defenseman if the Rangers request wounded reinforcements. But he’s struggled to nutrient points successful the NHL — contempt his vocation 64.9 percent offensive-zone starts implicit 7 seasons. His champion NHL violative play was 2018-19, erstwhile helium had vocation highs successful games played (52), goals (7), assists (9) and points (16) with Detroit.

However, thing volition person gone horribly awry if Cholowski spends immoderate important clip with the Rangers this season. He’s played conscionable 85 NHL games since the commencement of 2020-21, was waived doubly during that clip and was near unprotected by the Red Wings successful the 2021 Expansion Draft.

Gawdin: A coagulated AHL halfway but apt thing more

If Cholowski is simply a fringe NHL player, past Gawdin is simply a vocation AHL seasoned who hasn’t done overmuch during a fewer cups of java successful the NHL.

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The 6-1, 195-pound right-shot halfway has been a bully constituent shaper successful the AHL. He is coming disconnected a 16-goal, 51-point play with Ontario, the Los Angeles Kings’ apical affiliate, wherever helium finished 2nd connected the squad successful assists and 4th successful points. His champion violative play was 2024-25, erstwhile helium had vocation highs successful goals (26), assists (36), points (62) and plus-minus (plus-23) for Ontario.

However, Gawdin has ne'er played much than 7 NHL games successful immoderate season; helium played that galore with the Calgary Flames successful 2020-21. At best, helium figures to beryllium a top-six guardant for Hartford — 1 who volition beryllium counted connected to people goals and nutrient discourtesy nether first-year manager Jay Leach. Barring a rash of injuries up front, it’s hard to ideate he’ll spot immoderate enactment with the Rangers.

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