Ranger sign LW Naslund

Jul 4, 2008 - 5:37 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- With Jaromir Jagr's status still in limbo, the New York Rangers made a major move in another direction Thursday, signing left wing Markus Naslund, who had spent the previous 12 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks.

The Rangers also signed defenseman Dmitri Kalinin, who completed his eighth season with the Buffalo Sabres.

The team did not release the terms of either contract, but TSN of Canada reported that Naslund signed a two-year contract worth $8 million and Kalinin agreed to a one-year deal.

Initially, there were quite a few teams contacting me," Naslund said. "I gave (my agent) instructions early on that there was only a limited number of teams that I was interested in playing for, and the Rangers were on the top of that list. ... Right from noon on July 1, my eyes had been set on the Rangers.

"It seems like everyone that's played for the Rangers said you only get a chance to play there once in a lifetime, and you have to take advantage of it."

One of the most popular players in Vancouver history, the 34-year-old Naslund had been the Canucks' captain for the previous seven seasons. The Swede played in his 1,000th NHL game on January 17.

"As an organization, we would like to thank Markus Naslund for his 12 exemplary seasons in a Canucks sweater," Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis said. "Markus is one of the greatest athletes to ever represent the Canucks, both on and off of the ice. His on-ice success sees him leave the organization among the club leaders in almost every offensive category."

An Olympian in 2002, Naslund recorded six seasons with 30 or more goals in Vancouver, scoring a career-high 104 points in 2002-2003, when he won the Lester B. Pearson Award. He ranks first on the franchise list in goals (346), points (756) and hat tricks (10) and third in assists (410) and games played (884).

Naslund's production has dropped a bit in recent years, as he scored just 24 goals in 2006-07 and 25 last season - down from a career-high 48 in 2002-03. Still, the five-time All-Star remains a durable player, having missed only five games in the last four campaigns.

Drafted 16th overall by Pittsburgh in 1991, Naslund has collected 371 goals and 452 assists in 1,035 career games with the Penguins and Canucks.

The addition of Naslund should boost the Rangers' offense, an area that needs an upgrade as New York was just 25th in scoring last season. However, it also could signal the end of Jagr's tenure with the Rangers.

After New York's loss to the Eastern Conference champion Penguins in the conference semifinals, Jagr indicated his first choice was to return to the Rangers. But the sides have been unable to reach an agreement, and Jagr reportedly is fielding offers from teams in both the NHL and Russia

Rangers GM Glen Sather has all but resigned himself to the fact the five-time Art Ross Trophy-winning Czech will not be back in New York.

"I talked to Jaromir today and waited for a call for the last couple of days and nothing happened, so we decided they were going to move on," Sather said. "I gave him the information that we are going to move on at this time. I couldn't wait any longer. If things don't work for him in Russia, he can call us back and we can see what we can do."

Kalinin, 27, registered a goal and seven assists in 46 games for the Sabres last season, missing 36 contests with knee and shoulder injuries. The 18th overall pick in the 1998 draft, he has amassed 34 tallies, 145 points and 289 penalty minutes in 466 career games - all with Buffalo.

The 6-3, 215-pound native of Russia has represented his country at five IIHF World Championships, helping the team capture the gold medal in this year's event.