The New York Rangers placed centre Nick Bonino on unconditional waivers Tuesday for the purposes of terminating his contract.
Bonino, 35, was in his first season with the Rangers after signing a one-year, $800,000 deal in the off-season.
He was placed on waivers before the All-Star break, which he cleared, but did not want to report to the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford, according to Peter Baugh of The Athletic, who said the veteran requested his release.
Over 45 games this season, Bonino has recorded just five points (one goal and four assists). Across 868 career NHL games, spanning 15 seasons, he has accumulated 358 points (159 goals and 199 assists).
Before joining the Rangers, Bonino had stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks.
He won the Stanley Cup in back-to-back years with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
