34-year old veteran defenseman and Stanley Cup champion placed on waivers

Ruhwedel played in only one of the Rangers first six games recording two hits, four blocked shots & a plus-2 rating. If he clears waivers Ruhwedel who is on a one year two way contract will likely be assigned to AHL Hartford.

The 34 year old Ruhwedel has spent most of the last nine years as a bottom pair or press box defenseman in the NHL mainly with the Penguins.

While he made 33 AHL appearances for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Ruhwedel was mostly an NHL regular for Pittsburgh. Known as a solid physical right shot defender he recorded 47 points, 90 penalty minutes & a -7 rating over 326 games with the Penguins averaging 1.73 hits per game. With the Penguins missing the playoffs & his contract ending he was traded to the Rangers at the 2023-24 trade deadline for a 2027 fourth rounder.

After the trade Ruhwedel played five games for the Rangers registering a -2 rating, 15 hits & one takeaway while averaging 14:08 of ice time per game. He didn't play in the playoffs.

Last summer after spending two weeks as a free agent Ruhwedel re-signed with the Rangers on a one year two way deal ($775K/$400K). He was expected to compete for a spot as the seventh defenseman especially with Ryan Lindgren starting the season on injured reserve. But with Lindgren back & rookie Victor Mancini impressing with three points in his last three games Ruhwedel has been pushed out of the lineup.

So far this season Ruhwedel has played just one of the Rangers first six games logging 14:04 against the Maple Leafs on October 19th where he posted a +2 rating with four blocks & two hits.

Stay tuned for more..