NEW YORK - The Rangers re-signed defenceman Fedor Tyutin on Sunday, keeping him away from free agency with a four-year deal worth nearly US$11.4 million.
It marked the second straight day the Rangers came to terms with a young defenceman. On Saturday, New York announced during its 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres that the club reached a two-year deal with Dan Girardi worth $3.1 million.
The signing of the 24-year-old Tyutin, who is earning a little more than $1 million this season, occurred Sunday just before the Rangers' 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in another matinee home game. Like Girardi, he would have been eligible for restricted free agency this summer.
Tyutin will receive $2.25 million next season, $2.7 million in the 2009-10 campaign, $3 million in 2010-11 and $3.425 million in the final year of the deal.
"It's my first team in the NHL, and I couldn't be more excited," Tyutin said.
New York also inked franchise goalie Henrik Lundqvist to a six-year, $41.25 million deal this week.
Tyutin, who has played in all 61 Rangers games this season, has four goals and 14 points. He is in his fourth NHL season after being chosen by New York in the second round of the 2001 draft.
