NEW YORK, July 14 (UPI) -- The New York Rangers helped themselves on both ends of the ice Monday by signing unrestricted free agent defenseman Greg de Vries.
De Vries played in 82 games for the Colorado Avalanche last season, establishing career highs with 26 assists and 32 points, which ranked third on the team in scoring among defensemen. He also had six goals and played in all regular-season games for the first time in his career.
The 30-year-old de Vries, whose 31 even-strength points last season ranked him second among NHL defensemen, had two goals in seven games against Minnesota in the playoffs. He has registered six goals and 13 assists with 77 penalty minutes, helping Colorado capture the 2001 Stanley Cup.
A veteran of eight NHL seasons, de Vries has appeared in 500 regular season contests with Colorado, the Edmonton Oilers and the Nashville Predators.
