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New York Rangers News: Jarret Stoll Agrees To One-Year Deal

By Kenneth Teape

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New York Rangers News: The Rangers will be giving a second chance to center Jarret Stoll, who had a run in with the law earlier in the year but will get to redeem himself with the Rangers this season.

The New York Rangers dipped into the free agent market and will be giving a player a second chance in the NHL. Earlier in the day, the Rangers and Jarret Stoll agreed to a one-year deal. Many people will know who Stoll is for his exploits off the ice, as he is the boyfriend to television personality Erin Andrews. But, more recently he has been in the news for negative reasons, as he was involved in a cocaine case earlier in the summer.

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In June, Stoll pleaded guilty to two reduced misdemeanor charges that resolved a felony cocaine case that came from an April arrest at a swimming pool on the Las Vegas strip. For the reduced charges, Stoll got the felony charge of cocaine possession dismissed. The incident occured April 17th at the MGM Grand’s Wet Republic as security guards found what appeared to be 3.3 grams of cocaine and several capsules of ecstasy in his pocket.

Along with the guilty plea, Stoll also provided a promise, saying, “Now that the case has been resolved, I am committed to meeting all of my obligations to the court and I’m grateful for the chance to offer guidance and to share positive life lessons to kids as part of the resolution of this matter. My focus remains on hockey and I’m looking forward to getting back on the ice next season.”

Part of the obligations he had to fulfill from the court was 32-hours of community service, which he has already completed. He is also starting a program to help other people realize the dangers that come along with using controlled substances such as the one he was using and abusing alcohol.

To bring on a player with the baggage that Stoll is bringing along with him, you have to be sure he is a fit for the team. Rangers’ general manager Jeff Gorton said that he spent a lot of time with Stoll discussing the incident he was involved in and is confident he will bounce back based on how he has handled things thus far.

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“It all comes out the same, as a real character guy who made a mistake. We all want to move forward. Once we hit the ice, I don’t think it is going to be an issue.”

It is a bit of a surprise Gorton was able to get anything out of Stoll about the situation, as he has refused to talk about the incident or discuss what has happened. He was asked about whether people had a right to be concerned that their favorite team may be signing a player with an incident on thier record like Stoll brings with him, and he responded, saying, “I know what kind of person I am. I know what kind of hockey player I am. People around me know what kind of person I am. For the outside world to think what they think, it really doesn’t have an impact on myself or the way I play hockey. That’s not who I am. That is not the person I was brought up to be. Anybody who is important in my life knows that.”

The Rangers must be comfortable with the player they are getting as they gave Stoll $800,000. In Stoll they will be getting some help in the faceoff circle, where he excels. In his career he has won 55.4 percent of faceoffs he has taken, posting a percentage of at least 51 percent or higher in every season in the NHL.

He also brings plenty of experience with him, as he has played 792 career games between the Edmonton Oilers and Kings. He has accumulated 140 goals and 239 assists. He also brings plenty of playoff experience with him, as he has appeared in three Stanley Cup Finals, winning two with the Kings in the 2011-12 season and again in 2013-14 when they beat the Rangers.

In 93 playoff games, Stoll has registered 10 goals and 16 assists.

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