The Rangers left themselves the final 10 games of the season in which to evaluate John Gilmour before the 25-year-old defenseman can opt to become a free agent on July 1.
That is likely “the timing” to which David Quinn referred in not quite explaining why the organization made the move to recall Gilmour from Hartford prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 Bottom Feeder Bowl defeat to the Red Wings at the Garden after allowing him to languish in the AHL all year despite posting eye-opening numbers with the Wolf Pack.
Of course, Gilmour, who would qualify as a Group VI free agent based on having played fewer than 80 NHL games by age 25, will have the same opportunity to judge the Blueshirts and his place on the organizational depth chart before deciding whether to hit the open market or sign an extension if one is offered.