New York Rangers Place Players on Waivers Ahead of Season Opener

The New York Rangers are preparing for their season opener against the Boston Bruins. In this lead-up, they have placed several players on waivers, a step that could impact their roster dynamics.

According to PuckPedia, the Rangers have put Urho Vaakanainen, Juuso Parssinen, Dennis Cholowski, and Justin Dowling on waivers.

Urho Vaakanainen’s Performance

Urho Vaakanainen stands out among the players on waivers. The 27-year-old defenseman participated in 34 games last season, contributing six assists for New York. He was a 2017 first-round pick and showcased his skills in the 2024-25 season. During that period, he played 51 games, recording two goals, 16 points, and achieving a plus-8 rating, splitting his time between the Anaheim Ducks and the Rangers.

Other Players’ Contributions

Juuso Parssinen played in 20 games last season for the Rangers, securing two goals, one assist, and a plus-4 rating. He also proved his worth in the AHL, scoring five goals and seven points over 15 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the 2025-26 season.

Dennis Cholowski split his time last season between the New Jersey Devils and the AHL’s Utica Comets. With the Devils, he played 17 games and registered two assists. In the AHL, he posted five assists over several games with Utica.

Justin Dowling had a brief NHL appearance with the Rangers last season, failing to score in two games. However, in the AHL with Hartford, he managed nine goals and 29 points in 46 games, demonstrating his capability in the league.

Future Implications

The decision to place these players on waivers raises questions about the Rangers’ strategic plans. Observers will be watching closely to see if the Rangers lose any of these players through this process.