Blueshirts avoid arbitration with Brassard

Jul 27, 2014 - 9:38 PM New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Rangers avoided arbitration with forward Derick Brassard, agreeing to terms with the restricted free agent on a multi-year contract Sunday.

No terms were disclosed by the club, but the New York Post reported it's a five-year pact worth $25 million for the duration.

Brassard set career highs in goals (18) and games played (81) last season, while adding 27 assists and 45 points. He contributed six goals and as many assists over 23 playoff appearances for the defending Eastern Conference champions.

The 26-year-old native of Quebec -- who was taken sixth overall in the 2006 draft by Columbus -- has dressed for 403 NHL contests for the Blue Jackets and Rangers since 2007, accumulating 81 goals and 225 points. Brassard has also notched eight goals and 16 assists in 35 postseason games, all with New York in the last two campaigns.