In a sign the Rangers are not satisfied with their makeup up front, GM Jeff Gorton claimed veteran forward Adam Cracknell off waivers on Monday.
Cracknell, 32, has played 204 games in his NHL career with five teams — the Blues, Blue Jackets, Canucks, Oilers and Stars — and has 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points.
The acquisition of the 6-foot-2, 218-pound Cracknell is a sign the Rangers are preparing to send 18-year-old first-round pick Filip Chytil back to the Czech Republic before the first year of his entry-level contract kicks in. Chytil played sparingly in the Rangers’ first two games, both losses, and was scratched for Sunday’s 2-0 win over the Canadiens, in which the Rangers dressed seven defensemen and only 11 forwards.