NEW YORK (AP) - The Rangers added offensive punch by agreeing to terms Tuesday with longtime Los Angeles Kings forward Alexander Frolov, who should provide a potent complement to Marian Gaborik on New York’s top line.
The 28-year-old winger, who spent his first seven NHL seasons with Los Angeles, has scored over 20 goals five times _ including two 30-goal seasons _ but is coming off a disappointing one in which he had only 19 goals and 32 assists in 81 games.
Frolov and the Rangers agreed on a one-year deal worth $3 million. He earned $4 million last season when he scored his fewest goals since posting 14 in his rookie season of 2002-03.
By signing on for just one season, Frolov will look to have a bounce-back year with the Rangers and turn that into a longer, more-lucrative deal next summer.
Frolov has 24 career multigoal games, including three NHL hat tricks. In 536 regular-season NHL games, Frolov _ who can play on either wing _ has 168 goals and 381 points. He is expected to play alongside Gaborik, the Rangers’ top offensive threat, who had 42 goals and 86 points in his first season with New York.
“Alex is a highly skilled player who we feel will play a key role in improving our offense and play in all situations,” Rangers general manager Glen Sather said in a statement. “He is strong competitor and has the ability to play either wing position.”
The Rangers are banking on Frolov returning to the form he showed two seasons ago when he led the Kings with 32 goals _ 12 on the power play _ and was second on the club with 59 points. It was the third time he topped Los Angeles in goals.
Frolov established career highs of 35 goals and 71 points during the 2006-07 season.
He has proven to be durable throughout his career as he has played at least 71 of 82 regular-season games in all but one season. Frolov played a low of 69 games during the 2005-06 season, but still managed 21 goals and 54 points.
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