Rangers to place two-time Stanley Cup winner on waivers

Peter Botte of the New York Post is reporting that the New York Rangers will be placing veteran forward Nick Bonino on waivers. The 35-year-old did not practice with the Rangers on Thursday, and it is unclear what will happen should he clear waivers on Friday.

Bonino has not played in the AHL since the 2011-12 season and could be assigned to the Rangers AHL affiliate the Hartford Wolfpack, should he pass through waivers. Whether or not Bonino would want to report to the AHL is also unclear. Bonino is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is signed to a one-year contract at $800K. At this point in his career, he may not want to ride buses in the AHL to collect the remainder of his contract.

Bonino is a veteran of 868 NHL regular-season games plus an additional 105 NHL playoff games. He has put a lot of hard miles on his body over the years and may opt to hang up his skates if he can’t catch on with another NHL team. Bonino also has to factor in injury concerns as he has dealt with some pretty horrific injuries in his career, including last year when he suffered a lacerated kidney while he was a member of the Penguins.

Bonino has struggled mightily this year with just a goal and four assists in 45 games. He was never the quickest skater on the ice, but he has lost considerable footspeed over the last few seasons. Any team that does acquire the veteran center will likely see him as a 13th forward and a veteran presence in the locker room.