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Former Rangers center heading to training camp on PTO with division rival
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- Former Rangers center heading to training camp on PTO with division rival
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Former New York Rangers center Kevin Rooney agreed to a professional tryout (PTO) with the New Jersey Devils on Friday. The 32-year-old will attend Devils training camp, which begins Sept. 17, in hopes of landing an NHL contract.
Rooney actually began his professional career with the Devils, who signed him as an undrafted free agent from Providence College in 2016. He bounced between the NHL and American Hockey League for three seasons before sticking full time with the Devils for the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season.
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He signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract to cross the Hudson River and join the Rangers before the 2020-21 season. Rooney established career highs that first season on Broadway with eight goals, six assists, 14 points and 54 penalty minutes in 54 games. A valuable penalty killer, two of his assists came short-handed.
In 2021-22, Rooney helped the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs, averaging a career-high 13:51 TOI in 61 games. He finished that season with 12 points (six goals, six assists).
The Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final that spring, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. Rooney appeared in 15 of 20 games, and picked up two assists in the first round against the Pittsburgh Penguins . One of those was an assist on Andrew Copp 's short-handed goal in Game 3.
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Kevin Rooney could join Rangers division rival this season
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Rooney played the past three seasons with the Calgary Flames . In 70 games last season, Rooney had 10 points (five goals, five assists).
He's played 330 games in the NHL, totaling 134 penalty minutes and 60 points (32 goals, 28 assists).
The Devils are set down the middle with their top three lines. Jack Hughes , Nico Hischier , and Dawson Mercer play center through their top-nine. But Rooney could find his way on to a hard-working fourth line.
New Jersey has Cody Glass and Paul Cotter who can fill the 4C role. But Rooney could be a nice fit, as well. Or he could be an experienced veteran option as the Devils' 13th forward.
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The Rangers very well could see Rooney on the ice when they open up their preseason schedule against the Devils on Sept. 21 at Prudential Center. The teams meet again in preseason action Oct. 2 at Madison Square Garden.
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