The stud defenseman from Harvard has signed a three year deal worth $925k a year with his childhood team. Before the trade that sent him from Carolina to New York, all indications were that Fox would be headed to free agency rather than signing with the Hurricanes.
What does this mean?
The Rangers just traded essentially two second round picks for the kid. He’s coming off an unreal season in which he piled up 48 points (9 G 39 A). He’s proven everything he can at the collegiate level. The next step in his development has to come at the professional level.
The Rangers are assembling quite a blue line. Brady Skjei is already one of the best defenders in the Eastern Conference. They’ve got some other players on the blue line that are certainly nothing to scoff at. Neal Pionk is decent (potentially very good). Tony Deangelo just had 30 points this season. I’m excited for these guys if I’m a Rangers fan. I’m even more excited now that Fox is in the fold.
The other key piece to keep an eye on is the mountain of a defenseman from the University of Wisconsin, K’Andre Miller. Miller just had 22 points in 26 games during his impressive freshman campaign. He might decide he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL.
Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi both hit the dusty ol’ trail last year. Marc Staal is certainly in the twilight of his career. Adding Fox and potentially Miller this summer gives the Rangers a great face lift on their blue line. With how much the game has changed, Adam Fox is absolutely an integral part of the Rangers d corps moving forward. The other prospects are there. Brady Skjei is there. This is a group that could be ready to shine in the very near future.
But wait! There’s more!
The Rangers have the second overall pick in the upcoming draft. Jack Hughes is looking like he’ll be the guy for the Devils at one overall. That leaves the Rangers with a very easy choice at two. Kaapo Kakko is the latest part in the renaissance of Finland’s hockey program. He’s got a helluvan argument to be the first player off the board. If the Devils surprise me and take Kakko at one, I imagine the Rangers will be just fine with Jack Hughes at two.
The Rangers got a great jump start on what figures to be a very busy summer around the league.