Not too long ago, center Ryan Kesler was amongst the best defensive specialists in the entire league. The former Vancouver Canuck would draw the toughest assignments and play the game with an edge that drove the other team crazy. Now, at age 34, the miles caught up to Kesler and he’s struggled to live up to the contract he signed several years ago.
Now, you may be wondering where the New York Rangers come into this. After all, why would a young and rebuilding team consider taking on a player in the twilight of his career facing a grueling rehab process to ever even see the ice at the NHL level again?