The New York Rangers have added experienced defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to their roster, acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Penguins. In exchange, the Rangers sent a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft to the Penguins. Ruhwedel, aged 33, has contributed one goal and four points in 47 games for the Penguins this season, while averaging 12:32 of ice time. He is currently signed through the end of the season with an NHL cap hit of $800,000. This move comes as the Penguins find themselves in danger of missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season, following their trade of winger Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes the previous evening.
Ruhwedel, who joined the Penguins during the 2016–17 season, played a key role in the team’s Stanley Cup victory that year. During his tenure with the Penguins, he participated in 326 games across eight seasons, contributing 13 goals and 47 points along the way.
After going undrafted from the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede, Ruhwedel pursued his hockey career through three seasons at UMass-Lowell. He then signed with the Buffalo Sabres in 2013 as a free agent out of college.
During his time in the Sabres organization, Ruhwedel primarily played with the AHL’s Rochester Americans. Despite appearing in just 33 NHL games over parts of four seasons with the Sabres, the 5’11” right-handed defenseman managed to tally two assists.
Upon joining the Penguins in 2016, Ruhwedel saw an increase in NHL playtime. Hailing from San Diego, California, he recorded a career-high of four goals and 13 points in 78 games during the 2021–22 season.
Over the course of his NHL journey, spanning parts of 12 seasons with the Sabres and Penguins, Ruhwedel has accumulated 13 goals and 49 points. However, he has yet to register a point in 25 Stanley Cup Playoff appearances.
As an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of this season, Ruhwedel will compete for playing time within a Rangers defensive corps featuring Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, K’Andre Miller, Ryan Lindgren, Braden Schneider, and Erik Gustafsson.
