Rangers agree to terms with Finnish star Ville Meskanen

New-York-Rangers-forward-Ville-Meskanen-seen-here-celebrating-a-goal-with-Ilves-Tampere-in-Finland’s-top-league.

New York Rangers forward Ville Meskanen seen here celebrating a goal with Ilves Tampere in Finland’s top league.

The New York Rangers have added another young European goal scorer, agreeing to terms on a contract with Finnish winger Ville Meskanen Thursday. The specific details of the deal were not disclosed by the team.

Meskanen has spent his entire pro career playing for his hometown team Ilves Tampere in Finland’s top-tier league and this past season he scored 24 goals and 44 points in 48 games.

Overall, the 22-year-old has 80 points in 141 career Liiga games and set new career highs in most major statistical categories in 2017-18.

The Rangers announced the addition of Meskanen one day after agreeing to terms with Swedish Hockey League standout Michael Lindqvist. Like Lindqvist, Meskanen is a right-shot winger with a nose for the net who thrives on either side of the ice.

It will be fascinating to monitor what Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton does next. The franchise is in the midst of a mini rebuild after failing to qualify for the post-season for the first time in eight years. Gorton traded away Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller, Rick Nash, Michael Grabner and Nick Holden ahead of February’s trade deadline.

May 3, 2018

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Ville Meskanen
SIGNED BY
New York Rangers
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CONTRACT TYPE
Free Agency
SALARY CAP HIT
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