Rangers GM Chris Drury makes a depth free agent signing

New York Rangers GM Chris Drury announced today that he has signed veteran defenseman Ben Harpur to a one year contract.

As a result of signing mid-season, Harpur is subject to waivers. The Rangers subsequently placed Harpur on waivers, if he clears tomorrow then he'll likely be assigned to the team's AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers. 

The 27 year old played 19 games with the Nashville Predators last season, putting up just one assist. In total he has skated in 165 NHL games split between the Ottawa Senators and the Predators. He was originally drafted in the 4th round (108th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Senators.

Read below for the Rangers' official press release announcement:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Ben Harpur on a one-year contract.

Harpur, 27, has played four games for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) after the team signed him to a professional tryout (PTO) on October 13.

The Hamilton, Ontario native split his 2021-22 season between the Nashville Predators, and Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. In 19 games with Nashville last season, he posted one assist/point. While with the Admirals, Harpur skated in six games.

Harpur has played in 180 career AHL games between the Wolf Pack, Admirals, Toronto Marlies and the Belleville/Binghamton Senators, recording seven goals and 49 assists for 56 points. He recorded career-highs in assists (25) and points (27) with Binghamton in 2016-17. The following season, he was an alternate captain for the club.

A 6-6, 231 pound left shot defenseman, Harpur has skated in 156 NHL games with Ottawa (2015-16 - 2018-19) and Nashville (2020-21 - 2021-22), collecting one goal and 14 assists for 15 points. Harpur set NHL career-highs in assists/points in 2020-21 with the Predators when he had seven. In addition, Harpur has played in 14 career NHL playoff games (Ottawa in 2017 and Nashville in 2021), tallying three assists/points.

Harpur was originally selected by Ottawa in the fourth round, 108th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.